Doing the 'dad' thing: Conference examines fatherhood The Polk County Fathers and Families Coalition will present "The Fatherhood Connection" from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Olmsted Center. The public is invited to this free half-day event, which focuses on improving outcomes for children through support of responsible fatherhood. Breakfast and lunch are included. To register, call (515) 288-7171 by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15. "In this complex society, there are so many demands on children to grow up fast that they depend on the guidance of both parents. Fathers are important, they have a monumental impact on their children's lives," says Elaine Szymoniak, former senator, coalition member and mother of five children. "The Fatherhood Connection" is designed to create community synergy by bringing together people and organizations including business, community, faith-based, human service, government, education, and family groups to address family needs in the Des Moines area, identify services and address gaps in services for fathers, families and children. The conference features resources, interactive opportunities and workshop topics such as the importance of fatherhood; engaging women around fatherhood; providing services to resident and non-resident fathers; and connecting community resources in supporting fathers. The keynote speaker is Ron Mincy, professor of the social policy and social welfare practice at Columbia University, in New York City. Mincy is a leading fatherhood researcher and founder of the Strengthening Fragile Families Initiative. Other national fatherhood experts presenting at the event are Dana Reichert, senior fellow of the Center for Public Strategies in Indianapolis and Joseph T. Jones, founder of the Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development in Baltimore. Fathers are a critical part of every child's life. Having an involved father reduces a child's chances of drug usage, criminal involvement, dropping out of high school, teen pregnancy, and living in poverty. Active fathers also improve the chances of having higher grades in school, a love of learning, a strong sense of security, good physical well-being, and healthy relationships throughout life. Drake's award-winning Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Andrew Classen, will release its latest CD, "Swing Classics," at a concert starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public. The new CD includes favorites such as "In the Mood," "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Woodchoppers Ball." Proceeds from sales of the CD will support the ensemble's 2006 European tour with performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. Members of the Wellness area are Jana Peterson, assistant director, recreational services, wellness and memberships, and Kristi Cook, assistant wellness director. The Wellness team will display the traveling Bulldog and will receive individual mini-bulldogs for their desks. Linda Gernes, student financial planning receptionist, received the individual True Blue award. Gernes's nominator stated that she displays the core values of excellence and citizenship in every encounter she makes at Drake. She answers thousands of calls each year with a smile in her voice and the strong conviction that every student belongs at Drake. She treats each caller and visitor with respect and compassion and leads others by example. Linda received a blue caller-ID phone as her reward. This phone will remain with Linda throughout her Drake employment. Nominations for the next quarter are due in Human Resources by Jan. 27, 2006. Adam Davis, a senior at Drake University, was awarded Best Picture and Best Screenplay for his independent film "Embroidery" at the 2005 Oil Can Film Festival in Minnesota. "I didn't expect to win Best Picture because I was against good competition, but was very excited when my name was announced," Davis said. The New York Film and Video Festival nominated Davis for his independent film "Embroidery" to compete in the drama category. The festival is continues through Thursday, Nov. 17. The drama is about a young male who just graduated from high school and has no ambitions in life. Since he has no plans to attend college, he ends up working at an embroidery shop. While working there a surprise twist occurs, leading him into a new direction. Davis worked closely with this film by writing, directing and editing it. Davis, a resident from Circle Pines in Minnesota, is a radio and television major in Drake's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He started writing screenplays after his first year at Drake and was producing films and videos before he enrolled at Drake. Previous awards include first place at the 2004 Oilcan Film Festival for the "Inner Ear Project" and first place at the 2004 Drake Film Awards and second place at the 2004 Oilcan Film Festival for "Asylum." All three plays will be performed as part of the "Williams Triple Bill" at the Cowles Kruidenier Auditorium in the Iowa State Historical Building at 600 E. Locust St. Coleman's play, labeled "a philosophical farce," was premiered by Drake Theatre in an earlier version in 1987, and a 90-minute version was produced by Iowa Public Television in 1990. That production received the Finalist Award at the 1991 Worldfest Houston/Houston International Film and Video Festival. (fourth place out of 3,150 entries from 47 countries.) There the festival coordinator said it finished 4 points behind the winning production: "Lonesome Dove." "The Split Infinity" breaks down the walls between actors and audiences; and fantasy and reality. The play opens at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. It will also be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. The Tennessee Williams plays are on alternate days: Friday, Nov. 25; Sunday, Nov. 27; and Saturday, Dec. 3. "Williams Triple Bill" is supported in part by funds from the Iowa Arts Council and Bravo Greater Des Moines. To say the first-year student Alex Grgurich is ambitious would be an understatement. While juggling a full-time job, studies in finance, management, entrepreneurship, and looking ahead to Law School, the 19-year-old also recently orchestrated a run for a seat on the city council of his hometown in Norwalk. Though he was not elected, Grgurich fell just 31 votes short of unseating an incumbent on the council. The effort, he explains, was far from a failure, though. And he predicts that in two years the seat will be his. "I think young people need to be represented in a democratic society," he says. "In two years I will definitely run again. Learning what I did during the last election and realizing how close I came to defeating an incumbent, I am very confident I will be able to hold my first elected position in Norwalk, serving on the City Council." But even that goal is just a stepping-stone. Grgurich plans to open a business near the Drake campus in the next few months, and in the next few years practice business law, and become a successful entrepreneur. "This experience taught me that there will always be people trying to keep you from achieving success when you do not go about things in the traditional way," he says. "In order to affect change, you just have to keep fighting the mindset of 'we have to do things the same as we did them before.'" Grgurich adds, "I would also like to become a representative at the state level or even the national level even though I have a lot of steps to take before I can even imagine that. I have a lot on my to-do list." Pledges and donations may be sent to the designated person in your department or to Dolph Pulliam in Institutional Advancement. Even those who choose not to contribute are asked to return their forms. "The number of pledges is down from this time last year," said Pulliam, director of community outreach and development. "We hope that many donors will respond during this last week of the campaign so that we will be able to meet or exceed last year's totals." Drake's 2004 Charitable Giving Campaign for United Way of Central Iowa and Iowa Shares produced total contributions of $34,288 from143 faculty and staff members and 34 retirees. United Way received gifts totaling $27,367 while Iowa Shares received gifts amounting to $6,921. If you have any questions about the campaign or would like more information, contact Pulliam at x3084 or To be selected as an international judge in Kosovo, one must be a licensed lawyer and a judge with five years experience as well as a person of good moral character with no criminal record. Eisenhauer volunteered for the six-month appointment, which brought him to Kosovo last March. "There's no training," he said. "You're a judge and you're expected to be a judge from the day you arrive." While some courtroom procedures in Kosovo are similar to those in the United States, defendants there are allowed to comment after each witness testifies and to cross examine each witness, Eisenhauer said. "In the trafficking case, a defendant asked better questions than his lawyer did." In that case, the defendants were convicted and sentenced to 12 to 13 years in prison. "There were big headlines because the sentence was considered rather harsh," Eisenhauer said. Those who testify in trials in Kosovo do not take an oath to tell the truth, Eisenhauer said. "We didn't put anybody under oath," he added. "The whole idea of taking an oath was never part of the legal system there. I was told that people are allowed to lie and they're expected to lie." The six months Eisenhauer spent in Kosovo were "just enough to start getting acclimated." Although he was asked to extend his stay beyond six months, he declined so that he could return to the Iowa Court of Appeals, which had granted him an unpaid leave. "I enjoyed the experience very much," Eisenhauer said. "I met lots of people that I still keep in contact with." Join in Renaissance merry making this holiday season by attending Drake's 17th annual Christmas Madrigal Dinners, which will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, in Olmsted Center. The performance will feature the Drake Chamber Choir, conducted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, with Musica Antiqua and assorted jugglers, magicians, dancers and even a few wenches. Tickets are $45 per person and all seats are reserved. Dinner includes Cornish game hen, rice pilaf, harvest greens, baked apples, scones, flaming figgy pudding and wassail. Vegetarian meals are available. For reservations, contact the Drake Fine Arts Box Office at x3841. Costco Wholesale invites Iowa teachers as well as faculty and staff at Drake University to stop by from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, for food, refreshments and door prizes every half hour at 7205 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. Those attending should bring their Drake ID. On Wednesday, those who sign up to join Costco will receive a $10 cash card with the Gold Star membership or a free executive upgrade with a business membership, a value worth $55. For more information, call Costco at 222-2920. In celebration of Drake's 125th anniversary, Drake faculty, students and staff will receive the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 23, off in a one-time gift to employees from the University. Drake will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 25. Because of the shortened week, OnCampus will not publish the week of Nov. 21 but will return with a plethora of news stories on Monday, Nov. 28. |
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