More than 1,400 undergraduate, graduate, pharmacy and law students will graduate from Drake University this spring in a series of commencement ceremonies that begin Friday, May 13.

The Law School Commencement is set for Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. in the Drake Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave. The traditional processional led by a bagpipe player from Cartwright Hall to the Knapp Center begins at 6:45. Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation and former U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, will give the commencement address.

Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation

The 124th Commencement Ceremony for Undergraduate Degree Recipients will be at10 a.m., Saturday, May 14, in the Drake Knapp Center. Three honorary doctoral degrees will be awarded at the ceremony. The honorees are Drake alumnus Lawrence J. Fish, president, chairman and CEO of Citizens Financial Group Inc.; Daniel P. Jordan, president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation; and Drake alumnus Roger Williams, renowned pianist and musician.

Fish graduated from Drake in 1966 with a journalism degree. In addition to his position with Citizens Financial Group Inc., Fish joined the Federal Advisory Board in 1999 and became vice president in 2001. He is also extremely active with his community and the University. He is an overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the board of directors of Boston’s Dimock Community Health center. He was involved with the Drake Board of Trustees and Board of Governors from the late 1970s to mid 1990s. In addition, he established the Lottie and Robert Brown Scholarship Fund in 1989.

Jordan has played an extraordinary role in expanding the understanding of one of America’s great leaders. He has overseen the restoration and maintenance of Monticello, led the development of the Thomas Jefferson Library and established the International Center for Jefferson Studies in conjunction with the library. Jordan has been recognized for his contribution to American history, having received numerous state and national awards including the United States Department of the Interior’s Public Service Award, the department’s highest award for a private citizen.

Williams received a graduate degree from Drake in 1951. After studying as a piano student at Drake, he joined the Navy and then studied at Julliard. Williams has since recorded 116 albums, with numerous tracks reaching Top 10 charts. He was the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Billboard Magazine named him the greatest-selling pianist in history. He is also the only artist to have ever received the Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, he played and 13-and-a-half-hour concert for Jimmy Carter’s 80th birthday celebration in 2004.

The 124th Commencement Ceremony for Graduate and Doctoral Degree Recipients will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, in the Drake Knapp Center. Journalist Gwen Ifill will receive an honorary degree at this ceremony and will deliver a brief acceptance speech. R. Dean Wright, professor emeritus of sociology, will give the commencement address.

Ifill has covered national and local affairs for the Washington Post, Baltimore Evening, Boston Herald American and The New York Times. She spent five years with NBC News as chief Congressional and political correspondent, covering issues such as national campaigns, Congressional legislation and the impeachment trial of President Clinton. Ifill is currently the senior correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS and moderator and managing editor of Washington Week, the longest-running public affairs program on public television.
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Tutors are needed at the Drake University Adult Literacy Center to help local residents improve their literacy skills so they can better understand prescription labels, fill out job applications and read books to their children and grandchildren.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer tutor is invited to attend a one-hour informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, or at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at the Drake Resource Center, 1213 25th St.

To raise awareness and support, the Drake Adult Literacy Center will host its third annual “Support the Right to Read Walk for Adult Literacy” on Friday, May 20, at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines. The theme of this year’s walk will be “There’s a Place for Us.” Walkers will meet at 11:45 a.m. in Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines, then begin the walk in the downtown skywalk system at noon.

A rally will be take place in the Kaleidoscope Mall at 12:30 p.m. Adults who have benefited from the program will share their experiences and describe how the Drake Adult Literacy Center changed their lives. In addition, Michelle Swieter, Miss Johnson County, will sing “There’s a Place for Us” at the rally.

For more information about the Drake Adult Literacy Center or to register for the information sessions, contact Anne Murr at (515) 271-3982 or anne.murr@drake.edu.
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An essay written by Kate Levine, a freshman magazine major at Drake, will be featured in the National Public Radio series “This I Believe.” Levine’s essay, titled “Iowa Voices,” was created for a class assignment simulating Edward Murrow’s 1950s “This I Believe” series, which featured essays discussing the beliefs and guiding principles of American citizens.

“When I wrote the essay, I had absolutely no idea everyone would enjoy it so much,” said Levine of St. Charles, Ill. “I was completely surprised and I feel quite honored.” “Iowa Voices” focused on Levine’s belief in the importance of trust as a component in relationships with both people and inanimate objects.

“It is important that when I make an agreement with a friend, I know that he or she will hold up their end of the bargain. I should also be able to trust that when I turn on the dishwasher, it will clean my dishes.”

The “This I Believe” series is a national media project that “invites Americans from all walks of life to write about and discuss the core beliefs that guide their daily lives.” The effort was initiated by media legend Edward Murrow in the 1950s, featuring essays by Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Jackie Robinson. The series has been recreated in recent years in hopes of encouraging communication and respect.

“Kate’s essay was selected because it was so heartfelt and really ties in beautifully with the series,” said Rob Dillard, managing editor at WOI. “It also brings a young voice to the airwaves, which is unique and important.”

Levine’s essay will be broadcast on Tuesday, May 17 during the local portion of “Morning Edition” on AM 640 and FM 90.1 and again during the same-day rebroadcast during the noon hour on FM 90.1. For more information on the “This I Believe” series, visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138.
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The Drake Board of Trustees has appointed Martin Begleiter, professor of law, and Eunice Merideth, professor of education, to Levitt professorships in recognition of their superior performance as faculty members.

Provost Ron Troyer and a committee of at least five faculty members who currently hold special university or distinguished professorships recommended them for the appointments. The criteria included teaching effectiveness, professional contributions through scholarly activity, holding leadership roles and consulting activities as well as contributions to the mission of the department, college and University.
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The Drake Board of Trustees recently approved recommendations for promotions and tenure for seven faculty members. In accordance with the procedures established by the colleges and schools, each of the faculty members has undergone a rigorous review by a committee of colleagues, the dean of the respective college, the provost and the president.

Maria Clapham, associate professor of psychology, has been promoted to professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dennis Goldford, associate professor of politics and international relations, has been promoted to professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Chip Miller, associate professor of marketing, has been awarded tenure in the College of Business and Public Administration.

Tom Root, assistant professor of finance, has been promoted to associate professor and received tenure in the College of Business and Public Administration.

Troy Strader, associate professor of information systems, has received tenure in the College of Business and Public Administration.

Ronald Torry, associate professor of pharmaceutical science, has been promoted to professor in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Geoffrey Wall, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, has been promoted to associate professor, in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
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• Finals week begins.

• Spring semester ends.
• Last day to request refunds for cancelled Jason Mraz concert. To receive a refund, bring ticket(s) and photo ID to the Student Life Office in Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue. Refunds will be issued by check in 4-5 business days. For questions, call 271-2000.
• Drake Business Link Faculty Friday Workshop, “Enhancing Your Creativity as a Manager,” taught by Lance Noe, education consultant. The program is limited to 35 participants and costs $40. The workshop will be held in Room 112, Aliber Hall, 29th Street and University Avenue, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Honors Program Awards Ceremony, Rooms 311 and 312, Olmsted Center, 3:30 p.m.
• President’s Reception for graduates and families, Parent’s Hall, Olmsted Center, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Law School Commencement: Drake Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave., 7 p.m.

• Undergraduate Commencement: Drake Knapp Center, 10 a.m.
• Commencement Lunch at Crossroads Ultimate Dining, Hubbell Dining Hall, Carpenter Avenue and 30th Street. The lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance and $6.75 at the door.
• Graduate and Doctoral Commencement: Drake Knapp Center, 2 p.m.
• Alumni Awards Dinner: Six alumni will be honored for their loyalty and achievement. The dinner will be held in Olmsted Center. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. with dinner and an awards presentation to follow at 7:15 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased by calling x3147.

• Interim and first MBA term begin.

• Memorial Day – Classes do not meet.