All posts by JD Pelegrino

Strategic Updates Archive

The Ray Center at Drake University acquires global license for CHARACTER COUNTS!

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and The Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics announced that the Institute has conveyed to Drake University exclusive global rights and responsibilities to maintain and expand the Institute’s CHARACTER COUNTS! character development and Pursuing Victory With Honor build character through sports programs, both domestically and internationally.

The agreement, effective July 1, 2019, was the next step forward of a 22-year collaboration with Drake University which resulted in the highly successful implementation of the CHARACTER COUNTS! and Pursuing Victory With Honor programs in schools and communities across Iowa.

The CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative focuses on the Six Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship) and was created by the Josephson Institute founder Michael Josephson in 1992. It is currently the country’s largest character development initiative used in thousands of schools, youth organizations and communities, reaching millions of students and their families in the United States and several other countries. CHARACTER COUNTS! has grown to impact schools, families, and entire communities worldwide.

The program was brought to Iowa by the state’s late former Governor Robert D. Ray in 1997. For more than a decade, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) has been the lead author of a bi-partisan resolution that has passed every year since 1993 declaring the third week in October as National CHARACTER COUNTS! week. The CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative has also received bi-partisan support from every Iowa governor since 1997.

In executing the agreement, Michael Josephson, 76, founder and president of the Institute (named for his parents) expressed his warmth towards the partnership CHARACTER COUNTS! and Drake University have formed over the years and continues to form for the future.

“As I approach retirement it was vital for the continued growth and viability of CHARACTER COUNTS! and Pursuing Victory With Honor that we identified an organization with the integrity, passion, experience and resources to be steward of our most prominent and impactful programs,” said Josephson. “Our long experience with Drake University and very positive relations with University President Marty Martin, and The Ray Center executive director, Scott Raecker, made Drake the natural choice and I am proud and enthused that our important work will continue through Drake University and our preeminent partner, The Ray Center.”

Martin echoed Mr. Josephson’s enthusiasm: “As a University we are inspired to transform lives and strengthen communities, in part by promising our students that they will leave Drake as responsible global citizens. Bringing the global license for CHARACTER COUNTS! to The Ray Center and Drake will help advance our core commitment to civil discourse and ethical leadership, while modeling these values to the world.”

“Governor Ray’s initial vision for our work was to enhance civility through character development and he saw CHARACTER COUNTS! as a pathway to positively impact the lives of Iowans,” said Scott Raecker, executive director of The Ray Center at Drake. “We are now privileged to have the opportunity to build upon our success in Iowa as we honor the legacy of Michael Josephson and the Josephson Institute with enhanced worldwide impact.”

As the new global headquarters for CHARACTER COUNTS!, The Ray Center will manage all services, training, licensing, merchandising, and communication for both programs.

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University is dedicated to promoting civility through character development and ethical leadership. Built on the cornerstone of the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!, The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior.

Strategic Updates Archive

Campus parking rules and regulations change

The campus parking rules and regulations are changing for the 2019–2020 school year.

Faculty and staff members can go to the Student Services Center in the lower level of Hubbell Dining to purchase parking passes for the 2019–2020 school year. Passes will be on sale Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. in the month of July, with the exception of July 4 and 5, when the office will be closed. Staff members who prefer to pay using the payroll deduction method may do so at the office with the attached form. Starting on August 1, online and student sales will open up.

A few things to remember as you look to make your decision on where to park; the changes are designed to accomplish four key goals:

o   to provide a more predictable parking experience

o   to ensure adequate parking, evenly distributed across campus

o   to advance the pedestrian friendly nature of campus

o   to enhance the visitor parking experience.

The primary change is that when purchasing a parking tag, you will have the option to select a designated zone. A commuter hang tag will be issued for each zone. When parking, you are restricted to your designated zone.

Faculty and staff zone choices are:

o   Tier I Commuter Zones ($250 per year)

§  Zone 1 – Yellow – Lot 16, Olmsted *

§  Zone 2 – Green – Lots 18 N&S Stadium Lot

§  Zone 3 – Red – Lot 13 & 14, Wifvat Plaza

o   Tier II Commuter Zones ($125 per year)

§  Zone 4 – Orange – Commuter Lots East of 27th St.

§  Zone 5 – Purple – Commuter Lots West of 27th St.

It is important to remember that the Tier 1 Commuter Zones will be strictly enforced Monday–Friday from 6 a.m.–4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. the Tier 1 zones will open up to anyone with a University Commuter Permit. Any cars parked in Tier I lots without the appropriate permit may be towed. It is also important to remember that unless specified, a parking permit is always required to park in a Drake owned lot, regardless of time of day.

Attached for your convenience is the Parking Registration form PDF as well as the Payroll Deduct Authorization form so you can fill it out prior to coming to the Student Services Center.

Finally, please note the following dates when the Olmsted Parking lot will be closed for University events in the fall semester. On the dates listed Olmsted parking permits will be honored in all commuter lots with the exception of Lot 13 (Red) and Lots 18N&S (Green).

·         Tuesday, 9/13 from 6 a.m.–noon

·         Thursday, 9/19 from 6 a.m.–noon

·         Monday, 10/7 All Day

·         Thursday, 10/17 6 a.m.–noon   

·         Friday, 10/18 6 a.m.–noon

·         Monday, 11/11 All Day

–Scott Law, Public Safety

    Campus Announcements Archive

    In memoriam: Jack Gerlovich

    It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Jack Gerlovich, professor emeritus of science education.

    Jack Gerlovich was born on June 14, 1946 and passed away on June 26, 2019. Jack was a resident of Iowa at the time of passing. He was 73.

    Jack was a professor of science education in Drake’s School of Education for more than 20 years. He was noted nationally for his work in science safety and conducted essential workshops for pre-service and in-service teachers. With a generous gift from Pioneer Hi-Bred (now known as Corteva Agriscience), he led summer “Science Pioneer” camps for area youth.

    Visitation will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 5–7 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home, 80 NE Dartmoor Drive, Waukee. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 900 South Warrior Lane, Waukee.