Fox visits Drake to promote embryonic stem cell research Fox visits Drake to promote embryonic stem cell research "Restricting one of the most promising areas of research is short-sighted," Fox told the crowd of at least 700 college students, Democratic activists and advocates of stem cell research who waited for an hour in the packed hall to see him. "We have no way of knowing where the next breakthrough will emerge." Fox, who has been battling Parkinson's disease since 1991, has campaigned for political candidates in several states and appeared in advertisements in Missouri and Maryland. His activities recently drew criticism from conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of exaggerating the effects of the disease. Limbaugh later apologized and told the Washington Post that "Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democratic politician." "I recently had a -- you may have heard about this -- a run-in with a not-so-compassionate conservative who suggested I not talk in public until my symptoms go away," Fox said. "I'm not going anywhere… I'm not going away until the diseases go away. Let's get that done." Patrick Rynard, president of student organization Drake Democrats and also of Iowa College Democrats, said the rally was "a perfect opportunity to connect engagement in the political process to incredibly important issues, such as curing diseases. A lot of students who may not know who Chet Culver is or who might not be politically active can see how the political process can produce meaningful change." "This event also solidified Drake University's emerging reputation as a center of national politics in Iowa," Rynard added. "Over the last few years, we've seen numerous candidates and big-name speakers come to Drake's campus along with an increase in students participating in the political process. I hope this will keep Drake on the map for major political events for years to come, especially with the Iowa caucuses coming up." The Crystal Apple Award recognizes members of the education community, from kindergarten through the university level, who display excellence and commitment to the practice. Adams was nominated by his former Drake colleague and friend Jim Votruba, president of Northern Kentucky University. "Don Adams has helped define the field of College Student Personnel Administrators over the past 40 years," Votruba said. " I want to honor Don Adams for both who he is as well as what he's accomplished. In my entire career, I've never known a university leader who was more deeply loved and admired by students. He set the standard." "It was a wonderful honor and I enjoyed the opportunity to see many of my former colleagues and friends," Adams said. "My son, Greg, and his daughter, Gen, who is a first-year student at Michigan State, were there as well. We visited Case Hall, where I was the first hall director when it opened in 1961 as Michigan State's first living-and-learning residence hall. Greg was born in March of that year and he and my wife, Carol, and I went to live in Case Hall in September. We visited the apartment where we lived back then. That was very special. My granddaughter, Gen, is now living in Case Hall. There's a lot of our family history there." Adams graduated from MSU in 1960 with an M.A. from the College of Education and received his Ph.D. from MSU in 1965. He began his career at MSU while a graduate student, rose to director of residence halls and then moved to Drake University in 1969 as vice president for student life. In his 37 years at Drake, Adams also has served as vice president of student life, vice president of enrollment, executive assistant to the president, secretary of the University and director of government relations. He is now senior counsel and 125th anniversary fellow. Drake created the Donald V. Adams Spirit of Drake Award in his honor. It is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who exemplifies the spirit of Drake. In 2000 Adams reinforced his commitment to Drake by helping alumni create the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute, a program based on Adams' values and ideals that helps students develop leadership skills and a strong commitment to community service. Since the United States Supreme Court decided Bush v. Gore, there has been an explosion in the litigation of elections in America. This timely program will explore the latest developments in election law, new controversies regarding voter identification requirements, the changing climate of judicial elections and how court decisions impact voters in Iowa. Three experts on the law and elections will give presentations followed by an open panel discussion with the audience. Kieran Williams, Drake adjunct professor of political science, will discuss developments in U.S. election law since the Bush v. Gore decision. Rachel Paine Caufield, Drake assistant professor of politics and international relations, will talk about changes in the way judges in the United States are either elected or selected. Charlie Smithson, executive director and legal counsel for the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, will address how court decisions affect elections in Iowa. A podcast of the program will be available starting on Nov. 2 from the Drake podcasting site at Also on Wednesday, Nov. 1, Caufield and Smithson will be featured on the "Talk of Iowa" program, which runs from 9 to 10 a.m. on WOI Radio (640 AM). The lecture, titled "The Economic Outlook," is free and open to the public. It will be held in Sheslow Auditorium, Old Main. A reception will follow in Levitt Hall. Before joining the Board of Governors, Dr. Bies served as executive vice president for risk management and auditor at First Tennessee National Corp. in Memphis, Tenn. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University and has been a fellow at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Northwestern University Center for Urban Affairs. The Drake - FEI Lecture is an annual event co-hosted by the Iowa Chapter of the Financial Executives International and Drake University's School of Accounting, which is part of the College of Business and Public Administration. Scult's entwined teaching and scholarship have moved from early work in Jewish studies, through rhetoric and, finally, to philosophy. In his recent book, "Being Jewish/Reading Heidegger: An Ontological Encounter," he examines the relational possibilities between and among rhetoric, hermeneutics, philosophy and religion as they occur together in the local and specific case of his being Jewish and reading Heidegger. In his presentation, he will bring the book to a quick summary to prepare the way for a discussion of his present project, which grows out of the last chapter, titled "Philosophy as Torah" (which means instruction). The epigram for the chapter is from Nietzsche and points the way: "Whoever is a teacher through and through takes all things seriously only in relation to his students -- even himself." The project concerns itself with the relationship between philosophy and teaching. Scult's argument is that the essence of philosophy lies in the teaching of it -- that philosophical practice, the working through of the basic questions of philosophy, is best accomplished through teaching. The NCAA completed Drake's last self-study in 1997 when the University received full certification status. The primary goal of the new self-study process is an accurate and thorough review of all Athletic Department operations. This is designed to educate the Drake Community and the general public regarding the integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program and its integration with the University's values. The self-study process also will enable Drake to measure its effectiveness in pursing the NCAA operating principles in academic integrity, governance and commitment to rules compliance and equity and welfare of student-athletes. The peer review team consists of Frank Bonner, president of Gardner-Webb University, and Beth Chapman, legal counsel of Southland Conference. They will tour all of Drake's athletic facilities and interview President David Maxwell, members of the Drake Board of Trustees, athletic administrators, coaches, students and leaders of the Steering Committee that conducted the self-study. Jim Adams, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of law, chaired the Steering Committee. Following the interviews and visit, a preliminary report and findings will be presented to President Maxwell before the team leaves campus. Drake's complete NCAA self-study report is posted online at South Africa, which overcame the brutal racist legacy of apartheid to become a multi-racial democracy, now has a constitution that contains many provisions protecting basic human rights such as the right to privacy and freedom of expression. It also prohibits gender discrimination. Yet this protection is problematic because there are other parts of the constitution that protect the rights of indigenous people and their customary laws. This includes people living in traditional African tribal cultures and following tribal practices. Some of these practices, such as polygamy and genital mutilation, are not easily reconciled with equality for women. Andrews will address certain aspects of these potentially conflicting values in her lecture, which is titled "Constitutional Embrace of Indigenous Values and Gender Equality in South Africa: a 'Marriage' Made in Heaven or One Headed for Divorce?" This subject is of great importance because the United States is trying to help governments in Iraq and Afghanistan implement similar equality goals for women despite the existence of religious traditions in these countries that do not have a Western view of the role of women, said Mark Kende, director of the Drake Constitutional Law Center. "This is one of the main problems with the war on terror that has created some resentment against the United States in the Islamic world -- namely the idea that we are imposing our values on their traditions and cultures," Kende said. "Penelope Andrews' lecture addresses these same sorts of issues in the South African context and therefore may illuminate how we can deal with such concerns." Andrews earned two undergraduate degrees from the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa, and holds a Master of Law degree from Columbia Law School. She is working on a manuscript on women's rights, "From Capetown to Kabul: Rethinking Women's Human Rights," and is the contributing co-editor of "The Post-Apartheid Constitutions: Reflections on South Africa's Basic Law." She also is editor of a forthcoming volume titled "Comparative Constitutionalism and Rights: Global Perspectives." The city, in partnership with the Drake Neighborhood Association, Drake Area Business Association and Drake University, recently hired Genus Landscape Architects in conjunction with Kirkham Michael Engineering to develop a concept plan for Drake area streetscape improvements. The purpose of the plan is to better integrate the University with the Drake Neighborhood and surrounding commercial areas, while enhancing the neighborhood's identity and sense of place. Information gathered during the meeting will be used to established project goals for the design plan. Future design work will be presented to the public at a second input meeting in December. The exhibition will open Friday, Nov. 10, with a reception hosted by Friends of Drake Arts from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Anderson Gallery in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue. Drummond will give a public lecture at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in room 336 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. The installation, which continues through Dec. 13, consists of a collection of four works: Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call 515-271-1994 or visit "We were very honored," said Tom. "It's a very special award for the [YMCA]." Tom Drake, assistant professor of education and director of student teaching, began his volunteerism in the early 1970s with his eldest son at the South Suburban YMCA. The family's commitment to the organization flourished and Tom Drake coached youth basketball and was honored as South Suburban YMCA Volunteer of the Year. Before joining Drake, he was a teacher in public schools in Norwalk, West Des Moines and Des Moines. In her numerous community service hours, Sheryle Drake served on the board of managers, volunteered for numerous campaigns and in 2002, retired from her position as membership director. "We strongly believe the YMCA's commitment to individuals from all walks of life," Tom Drake said. "YMCA youth programs provide equal opportunities for all participants, including turning no one away because they cannot pay." Since their involvement in the YMCA, the Drakes have contributed to the growth of the South Suburban facility and have been honored for their influence in the Drake Community. In 1998 the Drakes were the South Des Moines Citizens of the Year by the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. In 2005 Tom Drake received Drake's Double D Award, which recognizes former Drake athletes for their community service. The conference, presented by the Drake University Center for Professional Studies, is designed for economic development professionals, elected and administrative leaders, business leaders impacted by public policy, students of public policy and administrators of public and nonprofit organizations. Gov. Tom Vilsack is scheduled to give the keynote address at the dinner that will conclude the conference. The luncheon keynote speaker will be C. Kenneth Meyer, Drake's Thomas F. Sheehan professor of public administration. His speech is titled "Creating a Sustainable Society through Innovation and Leadership." There will be various sessions featuring panel discussions on a wide array of topics, including the impact of the Nov. 7 election on Iowa's future leadership. That panel will feature Mike Glover, GR'03, political reporter for the Associated Press, and O. Kay Henderson, news director of Radio Iowa. Other panels will explore topics such as health care innovation, the role of government in economic development, renewable energy, Iowa's future workforce, innovations in community development and education, the role of nonprofits in tomorrow's society and charter agencies. Invited speakers include Mollie Anderson, director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services; Mike Blouin, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development; Cynthia Eisenhower, chief of staff of Gov. Vilsack's Office; Gary Maynard, director of the Iowa Department of Corrections; Cindy Morton, administrator of the Internal Services Division of the Iowa Department of Revenue; Bill Nall, division administrator of Iowa Workforce Development; and Max Phillips, chief executive officer of Qwest and chair of the Iowa Business Council. The cost for the conference is $40 per person and $30 per student for those who register before Nov. 6. The cost will increase to $50 per person and $40 per student after that. The registration fee covers access to all sessions, breakfast snack, lunch and dinner. For more information or to register, visit During November and December, alumni may make an appointment to donate blood at any Blood Center of Iowa Donor Center or Mobile Blood Drive as an alumni representative of Drake. To do so, please call 800-287-4903 or visit the Blood Center's Web site at "Show your school spirit for Drake and help us save lives this fall!" said Barbara Dietrich Boose, JO'83, GR'90, director of alumni and parent programs. |
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