Peggy Orenstein, author of "Flux: Women on Sex, Work, Kids, Love and Life in a Half-Changed World" and the best-selling "SchoolGirls: Young Women, Self- Esteem and the Confidence Gap," will read from her work at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in the Cowles Library Reading Room. She has published articles and editorials in publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker and Salon. She is working on a memoir, "Waiting for Daisy: Some Lessons on Love, Loss and Making a Baby." Admission is free.

The series will continue at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Cowles Library Reading Room with a reading by Nathaniel MacKey, who has written numerous books of poetry, including "Whatsaid Serif" and "Eroding Witness," which was selected for the National Poetry Series. He also is the author of "Discrepant Engagement: Dissonance, Cross-Culturality and Experimental Writing" and editor of Hambone magazine. He teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Admission is free.
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Scientists and students from Drake University have discovered there's more to Great Ape Trust than orangutans and bonobos. The survey team conducted the 1st Annual Great Ape Trust – Drake University Bird Survey on Sunday, April 17.

From bluebirds to great blue herons, the scientists observed nearly 30 species typically associated with floodplain forests and small lakes. Approximately 150 species live in Iowa at least part of the year while historically, 400 species of birds have been observed either occasionally or during brief migratory stops in the state.

The project is the first step in understanding the ecology of the Great Ape Trust campus and developing long-term environmental and conservation programs for the site. Similar surveys will be conducted throughout the year on water quality, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and plants.

"We need a baseline of knowledge in order to assess our effectiveness as environmental stewards of our campus," said Benjamin Beck, director of conservation at Great Ape Trust. "We're extremely pleased to have a partnership with Drake University in this important endeavor."

Thomas Rosburg, associate professor of biology at Drake, supervised the bird survey and said it provides students beneficial "real world" experience.

"This is an opportunity to get Drake students into a situation where they see the entire process of land management – from detailed inventories of natural resources to the development of an eco-system management plan," he said.

Richard Wacha, professor and chair of Drake's biology department, and Keith Summerville, assistant professor of environmental science at Drake, also took part in the 1st Annual Great Ape Trust – Drake University Bird Survey.

Wacha described the project as a continuation of collaborative efforts between the two institutions. "This provides an opportunity for us to enrich our own culture on campus while interchanging our efforts to help with the environmental management needs on the Great Ape Trust site," he added.

Great Ape Trust began as the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary in early 2002. In June of 2003, work crews began developing the former sand and gravel quarry near the Des Moines River. Located about five miles southeast of downtown Des Moines on more than 230 acres of lowlands, river forest and lakes, Great Ape Trust of Iowa will be the largest great ape facility in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans – for noninvasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities. To learn more about Great Ape Trust of Iowa, go to www.GreatApeTrust.org.
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Fourteen Drake students accompanied by Eleanor Zeff, assistant professor of politics and international relations, recently participated in three days of discussions and negotiations with 175 students from 15 Midwest universities as part of the Midwest Model European Union Simulation in Indianapolis.

The EU-Midwest is one of only four events of its kind in the United States. Founded in 1993 and hosted by the Indianapolis campus of Indiana University, it is designed to help college and university students learn about the workings of the European Union through a hands-on simulation.

"All 14 Drake students did very well," Zeff said. "Everyone had a great time and learned a lot about the European Union."

Seniors Lauren Derebey and Kate Albrecht held prime minister positions and Tom Schenk Jr. won second prize (out of his committee of 25 students) for best finance minister.

The students from across the region met in formal and informal sessions as the European Council, the European Commission and several different councils of ministers. From Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, students introduced, discussed and reached decisions on EU policy. National leaders provided overall direction while ministers huddled to work out the details of policy. Meanwhile, commissions and their directors worked to give new direction to foreign and security policy, the single market and other important issues.

While the real EU often equivocates, past meetings of EU-Midwest have reformed the institutional structure of the EU, expanded EU membership to Eastern Europe, taken decisive action over the Balkans and made major reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Drake contingent was partially funded by Drake's Center for Global Citizenship and the Student Senate.
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The Center for Global Citizenship and Iowa State University will present a preview of the award-winning documentary "Morning Sun" followed by a lecture by producer-director Carma Hinton at 7 p.m. Thursday in Parents Hall, Olmsted Center.

"Morning Sun" tells the story of the Chinese Cultural Revolution between 1964 and 1976. The film is a unique look at the origins and history of the Cultural Revolution (c. 1964-1976), the seminal event of contemporary Chinese experience. By presenting a "daily life history" of the Cultural Revolution and its progress through unique documentary footage, feature films, revolutionary operas, songs and music, and an archive of posters and everyday objects, diaries, correspondence and study notes made by participants in this revolution, the film provides immediate access to an important period of contemporary Chinese history and culture.

The film won the award for best documentary at the Cinemasia Film Festival in Amsterdam. Hinton is a director and producer with the Long Bow Group, an organization dedicated to creating quality educational media.

The event is free and open to the public.
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Drake University's chapter of Students of the Academy of Pharmacy will provide free diabetes screenings and information about diabetes and risk factors from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Walgreen Patient Care Center at the Walgreen Drug Store, 3030 University Ave.

The screenings are open to the general public. For more information, call the Walgreen Patient Care Center at (515) 279-2261.
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Two students describe their research to psychology professor W. Scott Wood.

More than 400 people attended Friday's second annual Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences.

The conference in Olmsted Center featured approximately 100 students in oral presentations and poster sessions throughout the day. The following departments and programs participated in the conference: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science and Policy, Psychology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science Program.

"DUCURS was a powerful demonstration what is typical about an education at Drake University," said Provost Ron Troyer. "The collaboration among faculty and students results a high level of learning and accomplishment. It was one of the most impressive events I've attended this year."

A panel of Drake faculty members evaluated all 33 poster presentations and selected five for review by a panel of three independent judges: Guru Rao, a research fellow at Pioneer Hi-Bred International and an adjunct faculty member at Iowa State University; Steve Schaaf, a scientist who worked in Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.'s Department of Biotechnology before joining Pioneer's Community Development office; and Ed Sease, a Des Moines patent attorney who is an adjunct faculty member at Drake Law School. Sease earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Drake as well as a law degree from Drake Law School.

Rao said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet and spend time with "some exceptional young
scientists." He noted that "It was evident from the poster session that the future of science in this country is in great hands! The posters reflected a commitment to scientific excellence and spoke highly of the dedication of the faculty/staff towards the training of the next generation of scientists, doctors, engineers, etc. My congratulations to not just the winners but to every student who conducted the experiments, made the posters and participated in the event. All posters were of the highest quality and the students should be proud of what they have done."

The three judges selected the following presentations for the top poster awards, which were presented Friday evening at an alumni reception hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences National Advisory Board.

• "Implementation of a Genetic Screen to Elucidate Proteins Important for Chromosome Transmission" by Ryan Bjordahl, Rob Davidson, Dan Hatz, Kate Kostelc, Robbie Larew, Adam Miller, Eveline Rusdianto, Elizabeth Sawaya and Heidi Sleister, assistant professor of biology.

• "Assessing Trauma Patient Risk Using Non-invasive Indicators" by Trisha Lewis, Michaela Waszgis, Jesse Theisen-Toupal, Rachel Sanders, Angela Matlack, Amber Heck and Charisse Buising, associate professor of biology, LaRhee Henderson, associate professor of chemistry, as well as James Hopkins, Jennifer Devey and Piper Wall of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center's Surgical Education and Trauma Departments.

Drake University will hold the annual Drake Relays parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in the Drake neighborhood.

Two years ago, the University moved the parade from downtown Des Moines back to the Drake neighborhood to draw attention and celebration to campus and its neighbors, which have grown closer in the past 10 years in part because of the Drake Neighborhood Improvement Task Force. The group was founded in 1995 to foster partnerships between the faculty, staff and students and surrounding residents.

"The parade generates a lot of enthusiasm in the area and is just a lot of fun," said Dan Koenig, a member of the Drake Business Association and owner of Yankee Doodle Dande Tattoo at 24th Street and University Avenue. "It's great to see all the people in our neighborhood seeing everything we have to offer."

The grand marshal of this year's parade will be Donald V. Adams, a Drake administrator for 36 years. Adams, who will retire in June, also serves as leader of the neighborhood task force and believes the parade symbolizes the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation between the University, its neighbors and all of Des Moines.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as grand marshal," he said. "This is a fantastic event that has only prospered by returning to the neighborhood. The students, the staff and the faculty, as well as our friends in the business community and the neighborhood really take pride in this event. It's really about how much they love the Relays."

The parade will begin at 24th and University next to the Kinne Center and proceed west on University Avenue to 31st Street. The route turns north on 31st Street to Forest Avenue and runs past the McDonald's restaurant. The parade turns east on Forest and returns to 24th Street.
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Vincent Cichowicz, professor of trumpet at Northwestern University and a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 23 years, will conduct a master class for Drake students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Mainstay, 25th Street and Forest Avenue. The general public is invited to observe the class.

Cichowicz has been a faculty member at Northwestern University since 1959, and professor of trumpet since 1974. He began his musical career at age17 in the Houston Symphony Orchestra. After a brief period of military service, he became a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1952 and played under the direction of Rafael Kubelik, Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon and George Solti. He is regarded as one of North America's foremost experts in brass pedagogy.

For more information about the master class, contact Andrew Classen, associate professor of trumpet and director of jazz studies at Drake, at x3785 or andrew.classen@drake.edu.
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Drake University will host the 2005 Iowa Flute Festival, which includes a guest recital and master class, on Saturday, April 23.

Guest artist Marina Piccinini, who is widely recognized as one of the world's leading flute virtuosos, will perform with Drake professor Chiu-Ling Lin, piano, at 4:45 p.m. on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium.

Piccinini combines flawless technical command, profound interpretive instincts and a charismatic stage presence. Since making her acclaimed debuts in New York’s Town Hall, London’s Southbank Centre and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Piccinini has been in demand both as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. She recently performed the Ibert Flute Concerto under Maximiano Valdes and the Phoenix Symphony and the Berg Chamber Concerto with Mitsuko Uchida conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen in the opening months of New York’s new Zankel Hall.

Tickets for the recital, which will be available at the door, are $10 for the general public and $5 with a Drake ID. In addition to the recital, Piccinini will conduct a master class for Drake students from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in Sheslow Auditorium. The master class is free and open to the public.

For more information about the festival, contact Erika Leake, assistant professor of flute, at x2802 or leakyflute@aol.com.
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The Drake Symphony Orchestra, John Canarina conducting, will conclude its season with the annual Young Artists Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 25th Street and University Avenue. Four outstanding student soloists will be featured: soprano Kristen French from Clinton, Mo., in arias by Dvorak and Bernstein; soprano Molly Haight from Johnston, Iowa, in arias by Menotti and Donizetti; pianist Benjamin Krueger from Minneapolis in the first movement of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2; and saxophonist Grant Mitchell from Cape Fair, Mo., in Milhaud's "Scaramouche" Suite. All of the featured soloists are Drake students. Admission is free.
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Tim Russert, managing editor and moderator of "Meet the Press," will discuss "Washington From the Inside Out" as part of the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series at Drake University at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Drake Knapp Center. After the lecture, Russert will attend a reception and book signing. All of the events are free and open to the public. The lecture was originally scheduled for April 5 but was postponed because Russert traveled to Rome to cover the pope's funeral.
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The more sag, the more slobber, the more wrinkles, the better the chances of winning this beauty contest.

Some of the droopiest, most wrinkled and just plain adorable bulldogs from all over the Midwest – and sometimes as far away as England – will compete in Drake University's 26th annual Most Beautiful Bulldog Contest to kick off Drake Relays Festival Week.

The event is set for Monday, April 25, at Nollen Plaza Third and Locust Streets, in downtown Des Moines. The first 50 bulldogs to register will participate in the contest to determine Drake's mascot for the 96th running of the Drake Relays April 28-30.

The winning Bulldog will serve as the official mascot for the Drake Relays and appear in the Drake Relays Parade.

Starting at 11 a.m., a panel will judge the contestants. A pageant is scheduled for noon. Papa John's Pizza, the Bulldog Club of Central Iowa and Bark Busters Home Dog Training sponsor the Beautiful Bulldog Contest.

"The success of the Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog contest is due in large part to the enthusiasm and support of all our sponsors and volunteers", said Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development at Drake. "It's the only event of its kind that receives media attention worldwide."

"We have enjoyed being one of the sponsors of the contest for many years as well as our relationship with Drake University," said Judy Robey, a member of the Bulldog Club of Central Iowa.
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• Drake men's soccer vs. Minnsota Thunder, Cownie Soccer Complex, 7:30 p.m.
• Hawley Foundation Lecture by University of Kansas professor Angela Lumpkin on "Title IX: The 37 Words that Changed the Educational and Sports Worlds Forever," Sheslow Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• Successful Interviewing, part of the Human Resources Learning and Development Program, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., rooms 310-311, Olmsted Center. To register, call x3133.
• Drake softball vs. South Dakota State, Buel Field, 3 p.m.

• Faculty Senate, Levitt Hall, 3:30 p.m.
• Drake softball vs. Iowa State, Buel Field, 4 p.m.
• Authors Visiting in Des Moines: Elizabeth Berg, author of "The Year of Pleasures," will speak as part of the Des Moines Public Library's AVID series, Sheslow Auditorium, 7 p.m.

• "Copyright Issues for Online Situations," part of a new series for faculty interested in instructional technology and sponsored by the Center for Digital Teaching and Learning, lower level of Carnegie Hall, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Drake Center for Global Citizenship presents a preview and lecture by Carma Hinton, an award-winning film producer and director, who will discuss her documentary about the Chinese Cultural Revolution, "Morning Sun," Parents Hall, Olmsted Center, 7 p.m.
• Drake Writers and Critics Series with Peggy Orenstein, Cowles Library Reading Room, 8 p.m.

• Relay for Life to raise money to fight cancer, Drake Fieldhouse, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, April 23.
• Stargazing: "Evolution of a Star," Drake Municipal Observatory, Waveland Park, 8 p.m.

• Drake Relays Parade begins at 24th Street and University Avenue, 10 a.m. to noon. A special section for faculty and staff and their families has been designated in front of the Olmsted Parking Lot.
• Street Painting, Carpenter Avenue from 27th to 28th streets, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Drake women's soccer vs. Eclipse, Cownie Soccer Complex, 1 p.m.
• Iowa Flute Festival recital featuring guest artist Marina Piccinini, flute, with Chiu-Ling Lin, piano, Jordan Stage, Sheslow Auditorium, $10 for the general public and $5 with a Drake ID.
• Drake women's soccer vs. Truman State, Cownie Soccer Complex, 6 p.m.
• Drake Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Concert, Jordan Stage, Sheslow Auditorium, 8 p.m.

• Relays Mud Volleyball Finals, Outdoor Court near Carpenter Hall, 2 to 5 p.m.

• Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The judging will start at 11 a.m. and the pageant will begin at noon.

Comparative Political Studies recently published a review article by Eleanor Zeff, assistant professor of politics and international relations, on "The Futures of European Capitalism" by Vivien Schmidt. In addition, Zeff's article, titled "Europeanization, European Integration, and Globalization," (with Ellen B. Pirro) will appear in the winter/spring edition of Seton Hall's Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations.