Drake Social, Morning Edition
To begin her transition to Drake, Sue Mattison, our provost-elect, will visit campus in February, as well as on other occasions during the spring semester. These visits are intended to extend her familiarity with Drake (and ours with her); to hold conversations with those with whom she will be working closely; and to provide opportunities for her to meet more Drake faculty, staff, and students. To assist her transition, Drake faculty and staff are invited to spend some informal time with Sue at our next Drake social, a morning edition on Thursday, Feb. 11, 8–9 a.m. in Levitt Hall, Old Main. Coffee and pastries will be available, and I hope all of you will be as well. Please join me to welcome our provost-elect back to campus!

David E. Maxwell Distinguished Professor of International Affairs
I am delighted to announce that at its January meeting the Drake University Board of Trustees awarded the David E. Maxwell Professorship in International Affairs to Debra DeLaet, professor of political science. Established through the generosity of Patricia and L. Daniel Jorndt and designed to honor President Maxwell’s years of service to Drake and his devotion to international study, the David E. Maxwell Professorship in International Affairs recognizes a Drake faculty member at the full professor rank in a discipline directly linked to international affairs, including (but not limited to) international business, international relations, politics, sociology, and global public health.

Nominated by her dean, recommended by a selection committee of other distinguished professors, and supported by the provost and president, it is a recognition that Professor DeLaet richly deserves. In her 20 years at Drake she has achieved a record of effective teaching, rigorous scholarship, and engaged service animated by her interest and expertise in international relations, human rights, and global public health. She has previously been selected as the College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Teacher of the Year, invited to present the Stalnaker Lecture, elected to serve as Faculty Senate president, and awarded the Herb & Karen Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions, a title she will cede to her successor at the end of this year. Please join me in congratulating our newest distinguished professor.

Herb & Karen Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions
In 2010, a generous gift by Herb & Karen Baum established the Herb & Karen Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions. The appointment to this chair is for a three-year period for full professors at the University whose teaching and/or research examines issues of ethics and the world of practice, and who are nominated for the chair by their dean. I am proud to announce that after being nominated by her dean, recommended by a committee of distinguished professors, and approved by President Martin, Professor Jennifer Harvey will succeed Professor DeLaet as the next Herb & Karen Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions. Jennifer is a professor of religion and currently also serves as director of the Humanities Center and faculty director of the Crew Scholars Program. Her focus in teaching and research is liberation ethics, and she has authored three books on race and social justice, published a wide range of essays, and has been invited to give many talks to community groups and professional organizations. She has been recognized as the Honors Teacher of the Year and as the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year.

Provost Mobile Office Hour
With the start of the new semester I am resuming my roaming, open office hours. You can find me this week on Friday, Feb. 5, 1–2:30 p.m., in the Olmsted coffee shop. No appointments needed.

—Provost Joe Lenz