Drake President David Maxwell tells the Drake Relays crowd that the University and Des Moines will host the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Brooke Benschoter, director of marketing and communications, tries to keep Maxwell dry during the rainy, blustery afternoon.

Gray skies and rain failed to suppress this sunny news during the Drake Relays: Drake and Des Moines will host the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Drake President David Maxwell announced Saturday during the rededication ceremony of Drake Stadium.

The championship, which draws as many as 1,100 athletes, is scheduled for May 25-26, 2007.

With rain pouring off an umbrella and wind tossing about his script, Maxwell grinned and looked into the faithful Relays crowd.

"It's coming," President Maxwell said. "Drake and Des Moines are truly the Midwest capital of track and field."

The meet's arrival at Drake and Des Moines put an exclamation point on the celebration of the newly revitalized Drake Stadium, which hosted the 97th running of the Drake Relays last week. The 81-year-old building underwent a $15 million renovation that began last May and finished just hours before the first starter's pistol fired on Wednesday.

One of the motivating factors for the revitalization was attracting top track and field events to Des Moines. The NCAA awards track and field championships on a 14-year cycle, meaning Drake could host a regional meet and, later, a national championship twice within that period.

Combined with the annual Relays and the girls' and boys' Iowa state championships, revitalized Drake Stadium will generate as much as $300 million for the Des Moines-area the next 14 years, estimates the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Des Moines and Drake joined together to rebuild Drake Stadium and together we will reap the benefits of this magnificent project," President Maxwell said. "Hosting this meet is a tribute not only to Drake University but to our city and state as well. We all take this victory lap together."
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Dozens of Drake students turned out for the Polk County Health Department's free mumps vaccination clinic at the American Republic Health Center last week.

Richard J. Hartig, PH'73, GR'81, winner of the 2006 College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Weaver Medal of Honor, chats with current students during the Weaver Medal reception last week.

"Oh dear, I believe we got too much Tide in the machine again." Fear not residence life staff, rather than surviving a laundry disaster in one of the quads, these students are enjoying Drake's first-ever foam dance party, held last Thursday at the Olmsted Center patio.

This future Bulldog enjoyed a tasty ice cream cone during the University's 125th anniversary birthday party Friday afternoon during a break in Relays action.

Paul Morrison, JO'39, carries the torch during the opening ceremonies at Relays Under The Lights on Friday.

Dave Blank, athletic director, lights the cauldron that was set up in the southwest corner of the stadium to signal the official opening of the 97th running of the Drake Relays.

A 12-minute fireworks display capped off a night of songs, parades and races at the first-ever Relays Under The Lights.

Is it real or is it bronze? Hannah, the winner of the 2006 Most Beautiful Bulldog contest, upstages the unveiling of a bronze bulldog statue that will stand guard outside the new Drake Plaza, which is under construction on the former 28th Street southwest corner of Drake Stadium.

Some of the people who made the revitalization of Drake Stadium possible -- from public officials to alumni and private donors - cut a ribbon on Saturday to rechristen the rejuvenated building.

Members of the classes of 1995, 1996 and 1997 gathered at the Science Center of Iowa to celebrate their years at Drake and greet new additions to the Bulldog family.

Drake Law School alumni share stories of days gone by at the Law School reunion at the Four Points Sheraton during Relays weekend.

Members of the classes of 1965, 1966 and 1967 enjoy dinner and memories at the Des Moines Club.

This racer probably barely noticed his splashdown during Saturday's steeplechase event. The last full day of Relays competition finished in a constant rainfall from morning to the final event.

Christian Cantwell watches his throw during the men's special invitational shot put. He broke the Drake Relays record with a throw of 22.10 meters -- the best throw in the world this season.

Grace, speed and skill: Rain or shine, the Drake Relays showcase the human body in its most perfect form competing at the highest level.
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The top three finalists for the Drake athletic director position will visit the Drake campus beginning Monday, May 8, Drake President David Maxwell announced today.

The finalists were chosen by a 10-member committee of faculty and staff who sifted through more than 40 applications before settling on the finalists.

"We believe that we have three candidates who would be not only the top choices for the Drake athletic director but for any athletic director's job in the country," President Maxwell said. "The volume and quality of candidates we have is a reflection of the reputation of Drake University and Drake Athletics around the country. The three finalists all appear to have the experience, skills, and commitment that match Drake's aspirations for excellence in our athletics, recreational, and wellness programs."

The finalists are:

• Sandy Hatfield Clubb, senior associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator, Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

• Robert J. Fournier, athletic director at Wayne State University, in Commerce, Mich.

• Jerry Wollmering, athletic director at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo.

Drake's current athletic director, Dave Blank, announced in February that he would leave Drake after the Drake Relays to take the same position at Elon University in Elon, N.C.
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On Friday, May 5, Drake Head Start will kick off its 30th anniversary festivities and celebrate the contributions from community partners who have made a significant impact on children, families, communities and staff members.

The celebration features an open house, which is free and open to the public, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Olmsted. Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray, also a Drake alumnus and former president of the University, will give the keynote address at 4 p.m. Ray signed a proclamation for Head Start when he was governor.

Drake University Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for children ages 3 and 4 and their families. More than 1,000 children and their families are served by Drake University Head Start, which operates 38 programs in six central Iowa counties - Polk, Boone, Warren, Marion, Jasper and Story.

The programs cover health, mental health, nutrition, education, family involvement and parent governance. All families are welcome to apply to Drake University Head Start, although priority is given to families with incomes at the poverty level or below.

For more information about the open house or Drake University Head Start, call x1854 or send an e-mail message to duhsco@drake.edu.
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Students from two Des Moines high watch a sneak preview of "The Importance of Being Earnest" last week.

Ninety students from East and Roosevelt high schools gathered in Studio 55 last Thursday for a sneak preview of Drake Theatre's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde.

"We played the first act, then did demonstrations of the sets, lighting, costumes, make-up and hair with the designers, crew members and technicians. It all went very smoothly," said director Clive Elliott, Drake's Daniel B. Goldberg artist in residence in theatre arts. Elliott plans to visit both high schools next week to discuss the play further with the classes that visited Drake.

The students gave the experience a rave review.

"We were so close to the actors, I really felt like I was part of the show," said Nicole Barber of Roosevelt.

"I really enjoyed the amount of interaction with the crew," said Andrew Pfeiffer of Roosevelt. "I build all of our sets at Roosevelt, so I actually learned quite a bit, especially about how staging and lighting can make or break a show."

Several hundred high school students from Des Moines visited Drake this semester to sample the arts as part of a new Friends of Drake Arts program funded by a $10,000 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. The program will continue next fall.
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The Drake Wind Symphony, conducted by Robert Meunier, will perform its final concert of the season at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Performing Arts Hall in the Harmon Fine Arts Center.

The performance celebrates the 100th birthday of Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich and features his Prelude Opus 34, No. 14 and Folk Dances. The program also includes works by Hazo, Gandolfi, Grainger, Whitacre and Welcher.
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The Drake University Cavalcade of Choirs concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, will feature the Drake Choir, Drake University-Community Chorus and Drake Chamber Choir, conducted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, and the Drake Chorale, conducted by Barbara Sletto.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main.

The program includes a wide variety of sacred and secular music, including works by Bernstein, Schubert and Brahms, as well as folk songs, spirituals and a piece in gospel style.
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Music from "The Sparks Fly Upward" opera by Drake law professor Cathy Lesser Mansfield will be played by a string quartet and sung by the Des Moines Choral Society in a special concert honoring mothers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at First Christian Church, 25th Street and University Avenue.

The concert focuses on the stories of the mothers of several Iowans, including the story of the mother of Des Moines resident Fred Lorber and his family's escape from Austria at the beginning of the Holocaust. This segment will feature music from Mansfield's opera. Tickets are $12 and $20 and can be ordered at 273-5255. More information is available at www.dmchoral.org.
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Laurie Dore

Jack Gerlovich


Lon Larson

The Drake Board of Trustees last week appointed three faculty members to Levitt professorships in recognition of their superior performance.

The new Ellis and Nelle Levitt distinguished professors are Laurie Dore, professor of law, Jack Gerlovich, professor of education, and Lon Larson, professor of pharmacy administration.

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 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.

College of Arts and Sciences

Angela Battle, assistant professor of art and design, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

John Holman, assistant professor of theatre arts, has been promoted to associate professor.

Maura Lyons, assistant professor of art and design, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Vibs Petersen, associate professor of women's studies, has been promoted to professor.

Athan Petridis, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, has gained tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Eleanor Zeff, assistant professor of politics and international relations, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

College of Business and Public Administration

Stephen Clapham, associate professor of management and international business, has been promoted to professor.

Chip Miller, associate professor of marketing, has been promoted to professor.

Joyce Njoroge, assistant professor of accounting, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Jimmy Senteza, assistant professor of finance, has gained tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Lisa Gardner, a faculty member with tenure at Bradley University, has received tenure and is joining Drake as associate professor of statistics.

School of Education

Catherine Gillespie, associate professor of education and chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, has been promoted to professor.

Robert Stensrud, associate professor of education, has been promoted to professor.

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Edward Bell, associate professor of pharmacy practice, has been promoted to professor.

Jane DeWitt, assistant professor of social and administrative sciences in pharmacy, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Carrie Foust Koenigsfeld, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, has been promoted to associate professor.

Law School

Lisa Penland, assistant professor of legal writing, has been promoted to associate professor.

Danielle Shelton, assistant professor of legal writing, has been promoted to associate professor.

Melissa Weresh, associate professor of legal writing, has been promoted to professor.

Law Library

Susan N. Lerdal, assistant professor of librarianship, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Deborah Sulzbach, assistant professor of librarianship, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Julie Thomas, assistant professor of librarianship, has been promoted to associate professor.

Karen Wallace, associate professor of librarianship, has received tenure and been promoted to professor.

Cowles Library

Claudia Frazer, assistant professor of librarianship, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

Marcia Keyser, assistant professor of librarianship, has received tenure and been promoted to associate professor.

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• Retirement reception for Bruce Martin and Wayne Merkley, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Medbury Honors Lounge.
• Writers and Critics Series presents author Scott Russell Sanders, Indiana University, 8 p.m., room 206, Cline Hall.

• Human Resources presents "Ergonomic Basics: Designing Your Work Station for Comfort," 9 to 11 a.m., rooms 310-311, Olmsted Center.
• Drake Wind Symphony, 8 p.m., Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Arts Center.

• Faculty Senate Meeting, 3:30 p.m., Levitt Hall, Old Main.

• Cavalcade of Choirs, featuring Drake Choir, Chamber Choir and Drake University Community Chorus; 8 p.m., on the Jordan Stage, Sheslow Auditorium, Old Main.

• Semester ends, no classes meet, day free for study.
• Drake Municipal Observatory presentation, "Comets, Asteroids, Meteors. Kuyper Belt - Oort Cloud. Life as an Interplanetary Visitor," 8 p.m., Drake Municipal Observatory, Waveland Park.

David Hanson, information technology/reference librarian and associate professor of librarianship for the law school, contributed a book chapter titled "Iowa Territory Legal Materials" to "Prestatehood Legal Materials: A Fifty-State Research Guide, Including New York City and the District of Columbia" published by Haworth Press.