Congratulations to our exceptional faculty members who received Drake’s highest honors this spring.

It is because of their dedication—and the commitment of all our outstanding colleagues past, present, and future—that we see the true, transformative power of education come to life for our students, their families, and our communities.

Please take a moment to congratulate those recognized in the following categories:

• Madeline Levitt Award winners
• Tenure and promotion
• Endowed professorships and chairs

Madelyn Levitt Awards

Lendie Follett, Business Analytics, Zimpleman College of Business: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Community Service

This award honors exceptional commitment to service, leadership, and giving back, and Dr. Lendie Follett exemplifies these values wholeheartedly.  Dr. Follett integrates community engagement directly into her teaching by leading students in data-driven projects with local organizations such as Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC, Iowa’s largest food pantry network), Polk County Health, and Meals on Wheels, helping address real community needs.  Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through research on hunger relief cited at the national level and through her service as President of the Board of Directors for DMARC, where she uses data modeling to develop strategies to combat food insecurity.  Through her scholarship, service, and mentorship, Dr. Follett models “business as a force for good” and makes a meaningful, lasting difference in the Drake community and the greater Des Moines region.  DMARC’s CEO, Kathy Underhill noted Lendie’s profound contributions to DMARC, sharing that Lendie is “not only active behind the computer, but in front, as president of our board, connector to the community, and champion for the hungry among us.” 

Olga Lazareva, Psychology & Neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Mentor

This award recognizes those who exhibit an outstanding commitment to student success in and out of the classroom and integrity in personal relationships.  Several current and former students wrote letters of nomination sharing their deep gratitude for how quickly and strongly Dr. Lazareva invested in their success by offering opportunities and support of their undergraduate research experiences in her lab.  She is a prolific scholar and includes students as collaborators and co-authors.  Many of those students have won impressive awards for their work as undergraduates in her lab.  Her colleagues note that it is very easy to work with high-achieving students who demonstrate strong skills.  However, Dr. Lazareva regularly recruits students who may go unnoticed or who have been marginalized, and she empowers them as researchers and valuable partners in her lab.  The depth of gratitude conveyed by her students is truly heartwarming and inspiring.  They state that her labs are the most transformative experiences of their time at Drake, and when they graduate, they have conducted meaningful research that prepare them to be respected, successful scientists.  Dr. Lazareva notes her own scientific trajectory beginning in 1994, when she traveled to Moscow State University, with, as she notes “no appointment, no connections, and no credentials beyond a desire to study.”  She asked a faculty member whether there might be an opportunity for someone like her, who wasn’t even a student there.  The faculty member who later became her PhD advisor said yes, without so much as looking at her grades or asking for recommendation letters, and that altered the trajectory of her life.  It allowed her to pursue graduate work and her academic position at Drake, and it inspired her to extend the same access to other students, many of whom say that it was the first time someone told them they were smart enough to do the work.  Olga’s mentors must be incredibly proud of her, as we are, that she is carrying that legacy forward.

Maria Valdovinos, Psychology & Neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Scholar

This award was established to recognize faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their academic endeavors while making meaningful contributions to society.  In reviewing the letters of nomination for Dr. Maria Valdovinos, and in witnessing her work from my first day as provost 10 years ago, the word that rises to the top of my mind is integrity.  It is truly inspiring to witness how the scholarship of someone with such unwavering integrity makes a transformative impact on the lives of so many people – her students, the communities she serves, colleagues in her discipline, and the lives of so many vulnerable individuals in the world.  She is a true teacher-scholar in the best sense, and while her body of scholarship is prolific, and often done with students as co-authors, it is not only the quantity, but more importantly the quality and substance.  Her work more than fills gaps in knowledge in her discipline – she is bridging science with public policy and legislation, improving services, and raising the bar for achieving and maintaining licensure.  Her transformative leadership in professional organizations sets an example for her students, working professionals, and the individuals she serves.  Several letters of nomination from colleagues in her discipline described the scientific progress she’s made at a non-research-intensive university as “astounding,” and one states “no one has done more to shape the direction of the field in Iowa.  She is among our most important active scholars in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, breaking new ground on a very old and pernicious problem.  By doing so, she brings reputational honor to Drake University.”  Let me add, none of this is an exaggeration.  Maria will never not produce works of this quality.

Kelly Bruhn, SJMC, Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Teacher

This award was established to recognize faculty who exhibit an informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students, rigor in intellectual endeavors, and contagious enthusiasm for their subject matter.  I wish I could share each of her colleagues and students’ letters, word-for-word.  Here are a few quotes.  From a student: “She has mastered the art of challenging her students to elevate their work without giving them the answers or compromising their confidence.  She is generous in her feedback with specific, uplifting compliments, but she also posed several insightful questions regarding gaps in our strategy.  She didn’t provide the solutions; instead, she planted the seeds that inspired us to refine our work ourselves.  She empowered us to bridge those gaps with our own creativity, transforming a solid project into a professional-grade portfolio piece we were genuinely proud to claim as our own.”  From another student: “Four years ago, a first-generation child of divorce walked into the building, trying to imagine what her life could look like here.  There was a time when I believed that I wasn’t going to live long enough to graduate high school.  Touring one of the top Midwest private universities was not on the bingo card for 2021.  I had a lot of anxieties.  Thoughts like: Is this really a place for me?  Can I really ‘do’ another four years of school?  Is this something I’ll even be good at?  The thoughts were so loud in my head until I met Kelly.”  The student goes on to describe the high standards that she needed to achieve for Dr. Bruhn, and also the support to achieve those standards.   And if you repeat that story and only change a few details, you’d understand what it was like for me reading students’ letters of nomination.  Kelly’s colleague’s nomination describes her as an informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students; having integrity in personal relationships; “if I was forced to describe her in one word, it would be integrity (enthusiasm would be a close second!)”; upholding rigor in intellectual endeavors; always with contagious enthusiasm for her subject matter.  Their letter ends; “I would be honored to be half the educator she is.”

Tenure and Promotion

College of Arts & Sciences

• Marc Busch, promotion to professor (tenured)
• Josh Carlson, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
• Meredith Moore, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
• Alimoor Reza, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
• Stephanie Wang, tenure andpromotion to associate professor

Cowles Library

• Hope Bibens, promotion to professor (tenured)

Law School

• Lexi Brennan, promotion to associate professor (tenure-track)
• Alexa Perez, promotion to associate professor (tenure-track)

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

• Eric Adae, tenure andpromotion to associate professor

Zimpleman College of Business

• Jeff Kappen, promotion to professor (tenured)
• Brian Sweeney, promotion to associate professor of practice

Endowed Chairs and Professorships

David Senchina, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences: Clifford D Rea Distinguished Chair in Biology

Dr. David Senchina’s selection as the inaugural Clifford (“Cliff”) G. Rea Endowed Chair in Biology reflects his exceptional record of research excellence, outstanding teaching, and unwavering commitment to undergraduate engagement.  He teaches classes in both exercise science and human disease, and his students have co-authored 22 peer‑reviewed publications.  He mentors students in a variety of exercise science research projects, mostly focusing on the ankle and foot. This distinguished appointment is a fitting recognition of his impact on students, scholarship, and the university.

Andrea Kjos, CPHS: Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions

The Baum Chair brings together Drake faculty members with research and teaching interests in ethics in an on-going forum on ethics and the world of practice that will enhance their own scholarly work, their teaching and student learning, and the broader campus discourse.  Dr. Andrea Kjos, PharmD, PhD, has been selected as the Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions, a recognition that reflects her long-standing commitment to teaching, scholarship, and ethical inquiry at Drake University.  Andrea is a Drake alumna and has been a faculty member since 2009, and has focused her work on the education, history, and sociology of health professions. This three-year appointment affirms the integrity of her contributions and leadership.

Robyn Cooper, Leadership and Counseling, School of Education: Baker Endowed Professorship

Dr. Cooper’s receipt of the Baker Endowed Professorship recognizes her sustained commitment to student-centered teaching throughout her 15 years at Drake, grounded in equity, accessibility, and intellectual growth.  She has cultivated exceptional learning environments through curricular development and mentorship that resonates deeply with doctoral students, and has had a profound and generational impact on the education profession.  Robyn’s commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly activity, and service to the university make her a well-deserving recipient of the Baker Distinguished Professorship.

Christoph Henkel, Law School: Richard M and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law

This award honors Professor Christoph Henkel’s exceptional scholarship in international law, commercial arbitration, and financial regulation.  An internationally respected legal scholar, his impact spans more than 115 countries.  Beyond scholarship and teaching, Professor Henkel serves as an arbitrator for both the European Union and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, exemplifying the global reach of his expertise.  Christoph truly embodies the distinction this prestigious professorship was created to honor.

Dian Nostikasari, ENSS, College of Arts & Sciences: Troyer Research Fellowship  

In 2009, to recognize former Provost Dr. Ron Troyer’s unwavering commitment to the support of faculty research, the Board of Trustees of Drake University created the Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship.  Dr. Dian Nostikasari was awarded this competitive fellowship to support her research examining how communities respond to displacement and ecological loss caused by climate crises, conflict, and violence by centering care, memory, and collective healing.  Dian’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of integrity and the critically important focus of her work will continue to transform our world.

Windsor Professorship (two awards)

Selection of Windsor Professorship recipients is based on teaching effectiveness; professional contribution through scholarly activity, leadership roles, and consulting activities; and contributions to the mission of the department, college, and university.

Craige Wrenn, CPHS

Dr. Craige Wrenn’s selection as Windsor Professor of Science honors more than 21 years of service to Drake University marked by effective teaching, steady scholarship, and strong leadership.  Students regularly describe his courses as challenging and rewarding, and his expertise has supported learning across several academic programs.  Dr. Wrenn has built a strong record of scholarly work.  He is a prolific scholar, mentors Drake students, and supports their academic growth, and has provided consistently outstanding campus leadership.  This recognition fittingly acknowledges Craige’s clear commitment to academic quality, collaboration, and Drake’s mission lasting contributions to students, colleagues, and the university community.

Athanasios Petridis, A&S

Dr. Athan Petridis’s selection for the Windsor Professorship of Science recognizes his wide‑ranging impact as a devoted teacher, innovative scholar, and dedicated leader at Drake University.  His longstanding commitment to involving undergraduates as collaborators in research, combined with significant departmental and university service has shaped the physics curriculum through engaging, student‑centered teaching, modernized laboratory courses, and consistently demonstrated care for student learning and success.  Nationally recognized for undergraduate research, he founded and leads the undergraduate research MISSFIT group, mentoring students in high‑impact work that has earned external recognition and prestigious fellowships. This professorship honor fittingly acknowledges the depth, breadth, and influence of Athan’s work.

Ellis and Nelle Professorship (three awards)

The Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professorship has long been an important way to recognize and reward superior performance by Drake University faculty members.  The criteria for selection include teaching effectiveness as demonstrated by teaching in a classroom setting and/or mentoring in an experiential learning setting; professional contributions through scholarly activity, demonstrated leadership, consulting activities; and contributions to the mission of the department, college and university.

James Romain, A&S, Saxophone and Jazz Studies

Professor Jim Romain’s recognition represents a career defined by artistic accomplishment, dedicated teaching, and sustained service to Drake University.  Widely respected as a performer, he has a distinguished record of local, national, and international appearances, including with the Chicago, Minnesota, and Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with leading orchestras and musicians, and contributing an impressive body of recordings.  As an educator and mentor, he has developed a highly regarded saxophone studio whose students have achieved national success and strengthened Drake’s reputation.  Jim’s leadership and service, most notably during eight years as Chair of the Music Department and guiding the program through a successful accreditation, demonstrate a deep commitment to the university, its people, and the long-term vitality of the music program.

Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, School of Education, Counselor Education

Dr. Erguner-Tekinalp’s career reflects a commitment to teaching, scholarship, leadership, and service that has meaningfully shaped the culture of Drake University’s School of Education.  During her nearly 20 years at Drake, Dr. Erguner-Tekinalp has become widely respected as a teacher and mentor.  She creates caring learning environments grounded in relationship‑centered practice, while advocating for student wellbeing and equity beyond the classroom.  Her scholarship bridges counseling, wellness, contemplative practice, and anti‑oppressive pedagogy, influencing the discipline through preparation of future counselors.  Through steady, valued-driven leadership in program coordination, accreditation, faculty governance, and national professional roles, she has strengthened institutional systems while remaining deeply attentive to people.  Bengu’s work embodies Drake’s mission and models leadership that is both principled and humane.

Heidi Sleister, A&S, Biology

Dr. Heidi Sleister exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship, and university leadership.  She teaches at both introductory and advanced levels and is deeply committed to student learning and success, notably through the development of a Peer Learning Assistant model in introductory biology that has measurably improved student outcomes and has been adopted by other science programs.  Dr. Sleister is a strong advocate for experiential learning, undergraduate research, and internships, working actively to expand and formalize opportunities for students beyond the classroom.  In addition to contributing extensively to institutional initiatives such as transnational partnerships and pre-medical education, Heidi has received numerous awards and recognitions for her distinguished record of teaching and scholarship, and has an exemplary history of service to her department, College, and the University.