We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Garry Frank, professor emeritus of public administration.

Garry Frank was born on April 12, 1948 in Carroll, Iowa and passed away on July 7, 2019. He was 71.

Garry Frank was a professor of public administration in Drake University’s College of Business and Public Administration. During his 34-year tenure, he received two distinguished professorships, the Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professor of Public Administration as well as the Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions. Garry specialized in instructing, writing, and speaking on ethics along with corresponding policy issues in public service, nonprofit groups, and private industry.

Established in 2015, the Dr. Garry L. Frank Legacy Award is presented annually to an MPA alumnus, who over the course of his or her career has exemplified the ideals of innovation, impact, and engagement.

Garry was laid to rest on Friday, July 12 at Resthaven Cemetery Mausoleum in West Des Moines, Iowa.

–Madeline Mongar-Brodie, College of Business & Public Administration

Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science Kenneth J. Kopecky, who taught at Drake University for 42 years, died on July 6, 2019, at the age of 82.

Kenneth was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Mary and Wesley Kopecky. Survivors include his wife Betty of 56 years; daughters, Jill Croft (Kevin) and Jane Hall; grandchildren, Katelyn Hall, Andrew Croft, and Emily Croft; sister, Sally Alvarez (Dennis) and many nieces and nephews. Ken’s brother, Duane predeceased him.

Ken received his B.S, M.S, and Ph.D. degrees from Iowa State University in mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering. Ken did post-doctorate study in computer science and computer research for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He worked on experiments for the space shuttle.

Professor Kopecky expanded the Computer Science Department at Drake University with grants he received with his NASA contracts. He sent two of his computer science students to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for summer internships with his NASA funded contracts. He taught students to write computer programs in many different computer languages. He loved teaching and passed that love on to many of his student, who also became teachers, professors, and researchers.

Ken was a Drake Relays official for 52 years and was nominated to the Drake Relays Wall of Fame. He was a certified USA Track and Field official, and an official for the Iowa State Boys and Girls Annual Track meet at Drake University for many years. Ken was a well-known Iowa runner and bicyclist, winning many trophies, plaques, medals, and ribbons in races.

He was admired by his students, fellow professors, and friends and called “Kope” by many.

Ken’s family would like to thank Care Initiatives Hospice, and the kind resident assistants and staff at Edencresst Assisted Living in Beaverdale, who cared for him in the last year of his life and to all of the professors, students, family, and friends who visited Ken there.

Ken will be buried at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest contributions in memory of Ken be direct to the Professor Kenneth J. Kopecky Computer Science and Mathematics Scholarship Fund at Drake University.

To ensure the continuing digital security of our students, faculty, and staff, we are making several changes to our password creation process.

These changes are as follows:

1. Starting on July 22, the initial birthdate-based password that new students, faculty, and staff receive will ONLY work to log into the Password Manager site (password.drake.edu). Only after creating a new more secure password and setting up their password recovery questions will they will be able to access other Drake online resources (myDrake, wireless networks, etc.).
2. Anyone who currently has not changed their initial birthdate-based password is receiving emails letting them know that if they don’t change their password prior to July 22, they will be locked out of Drake online resources. The final email reminder will go out on July 21. If someone is locked out because of an unchanged password, they must contact the support center at 515-271-3001.
3. Finally, to clarify the initial birthdate-based password we are changing the format from MmmDDYYYY! (example: Jan011997!) to MmmDD#YYYY (example: Jan01#1997) on July 22. The Password Manager will continue to accept either of these formats for the time being.

Strong passwords are a key defense against phishing and other online attacks. You are required to change your Drake password annually, but you can change it more frequently. Learn more at Changing your Password (How-to).

–Carla Herling, ITS

Sodexo has partnered with Drake to update the Food Service Exclusivity Policy. Beginning July 1, Drake constituents may use a food service provider other than Sodexo if the total cost of the food service is less than $60.  If it is greater than $60, Sodexo should be your provider, unless you first obtain an approved, signed waiver from the appropriate Budget Manager as well as the catering director of Drake Dining (Sodexo). This amount had previously been set at $25.  Please remember that you are responsible for all clean up after the event when you are using an alternate vendor.

Please contact caron.findlay@drake.edu if you have questions.

–Caron Findlay, Office of Finance & Administration