Please join the ASC Recognition Committee in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award.  Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Nicolas Castro – Transport/CDL Driver – Facilities Planning & Management Staff

Nominated by Sydni Jennings & Michael Nelson

“Nicolas Castro embodies Drake’s values of All in this Together and Joyful Accountability through his role in managing all hauling and moving requests on campus. Despite juggling multiple urgent tasks and last-minute requests, he consistently completes what would typically require an entire moving crew, all while maintaining a cheerful attitude and effective communication. Nic’s flexibility and team spirit, especially during recent office shuffles, make him an invaluable asset to the FPM team and the entire campus, positively impacting everyone he encounters. His dedication and approachability make him truly deserving of this award.”

Joe Quiles-Ortiz, Karl Kaiser, Francisco Sierra, Lilli Santiago, Octavio Alvarado Alvidrez – Facilities Planning & Management Staff

Nominated by Nate Reagen

“Joe, Karl, Francisco, Octavio, & Lilli, exemplified striving each day to be their best. Their paint job in Levitt Hall was above and beyond and the team took such care to make sure the job was done professionally and thoroughly. They each took the time to meticulously ensure the walls and trim were restored back to a ‘new’ condition. This included dealing with project challenges along the way. Their work is a gift to all the students, families, alumni, donors, board members, community members, faculty, and staff that will use that room for years to come! Thank you, team!”

Betsy Wilson – Coordinator of Field Placement – School of Education

Nominated by Amber Welsh

“Betsy exemplifies “Joyful Accountability” by embracing both successes and setbacks with positivity, turning challenges into team-building opportunities. Her “Generosity of Spirit” shines through as she consistently offers support to colleagues and students during busy times, creating a collaborative environment. Betsy fosters unity within the SOE by promoting open communication and collaboration, particularly during critical processes like graduation reviews. She also demonstrates “Commitment to Mission” by nurturing relationships with partner schools, delivering tokens of appreciation to strengthen connections. Overall, Betsy’s kindness and optimism make her an invaluable presence in both professional and personal realms.”

Austin Higgins – Mail Office Manager – Campus Mail Operations

Nominated by Lisa Cooper

“Austin demonstrates all of the qualities to be “Called to be True Blue”. He is responsive, considerate, reliable, and goes above and beyond to assist with any and all mail operations and questions, but also he helps people who may have had their mail inadvertently delivered to Drake to ensure they also have a positive impression of Drake because of his cheerful disposition and helpfulness. He is an asset to Drake University.”

Kara Wendlin-Carnahan – Manager, Online Student Services & Suzanne Wisslead – CRM Specialist – Drake Online

Nominated by Dianna Gray

“The Drake Online & Continuing Education Team, particularly Kara Wendelin-Carnahan and Suzanne Wisslead, exemplifies all four of Drake’s Core Values. They demonstrate Joyful Accountability by continuously seeking process improvements and always greeting each other with positivity. Their Generosity of Spirit shines through in their collaborative brainstorming sessions, where everyone’s expertise is valued. The team embodies All In This Together by maintaining open communication and stepping up to help each other, especially during busy times. Lastly, their Commitment to Mission is evident in their dedication to enhancing the student experience.”

Nicholas Kavanaugh – Director of Student Affairs – CPHS

Nominated by Sydni Jennings & Michael Nelson

“Nicholas Kavanaugh, CPHS Assistant Director of Student Affairs, plays a crucial role in the annual CPHS Student Orientation, helping pre-professional students transition smoothly into their programs. Since joining Drake in 2022, he has demonstrated exceptional creativity, particularly through initiatives like the Meals from the Heartland event, where he secured funding and managed logistics to package 20,000 meals for an international community. His efforts have garnered positive feedback and exemplify the spirit of the “Called to be True Blue” award, making him a deserving candidate for this recognition.”

Shelby Nelson – Office and External Relations Manager – CPHS

Nominated by Christine Urish

“Shelby is EVERYTHING to EVERYONE in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. We’ve experienced significant admin asst turn over in the college, but Shelby has always been there. She is pleasant, helpful and never upset about anything even if she has to fix things that she had no involvement with. She is the BEST of the college each and every day. She communicates in an effective and transparent manner, managing multiple responsibilities with ease. She serves our Dean and countless faculty and demonstrates commitment to mission in a consistent way. Certainly she does not shy away from difficult tasks or challenging issues. She is ready and willing to assist with a smile all the time. Certainly some will find fault and criticize, but she does not allow this to negatively impact her work, she moves forward, conducting the work of the college in the best way she can for all.”

Ashley Rasmussen – Budget Manager – College of Arts & Sciences

Nominated by Jill Allen

“Ashley shows up for all constituents – faculty, staff, and leaders. She is a true team player and brings knowledge, expertise, and creativity to every situation without any need for recognition. So grateful to have her as a colleague!”

Nikki Krabbe – Student Support Coordinator – Access & Success

Nominated by Laura Shell & Michelle Laughlin

“Nikki joined the Access & Success team at the start of classes and has quickly exemplified collaboration and commitment. With her K-12 teaching background, she brings valuable insights that honor past accomplishments while introducing innovative ideas for improvement. In just one month, her proactive attitude and teamwork have already led to meaningful procedural changes. Nikki embodies our values and inspires those around her, making her a deserving candidate for the True Blue award.”

Amy Nichols – Associate Director, Admission

Nominated by Kristy Hilchen

“Amy is an exceptional communicator to solve complex problems in the area processing student applications and records; as a team leader she helps her colleagues to learn new ways of researching and solving technical issues within Slate processing. She helps us to collaborate to use technology tools and work together as a team to streamline processes in our area. she also helps us to use our resources effectively to recruit exceptional student employees. And she is an open communicator in making sure we get the most out of our employee benefits and use our work schedules effectively to work as one unit. She is a great manager and colleague.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

—Amber Welsh, School of Education

Drake University Law School earned an A ranking for child and family law in preLaw magazine, placing Drake among the top 21 law schools in the nation for this field. This is the seventh year in a row that Drake Law received recognition for excellence in child and family law.

The publication based the rankings on the law schools’ offerings in family law, including clinical programs, certificates, externships, and courses. The results are reported in preLaw’s Back to School 2024 issue.

For two decades, the Joan & Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights has stood as the foundation of Drake University’s esteemed children’s rights program. It has consistently taken the lead at local, statewide, and national levels in enhancing child welfare and juvenile justice systems through its commitment to training, advocacy, and litigation. Within the Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, the Children’s Rights Clinic (CRC) plays a pivotal role, equipping law students with the skills and knowledge necessary for fulfilling and prosperous careers in child advocacy.

Earlier this year, two student attorneys from the Drake Children’s Rights Clinic, Payton Kitterman, LW’24, and Taylor Thomas, LW’24, argued a case centered on a child’s right to meaningful access to expert assistance at State expense when defending against waiver to adult court before the Iowa Supreme Court.

Supervised by Professor Nickole Miller, Director of Drake’s Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, Payton and Taylor spent a combined 695 hours over the course of three semesters working on this case from the initial Writ of Certiorari petition all the way to argument before the Iowa Supreme Court.

The Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling in favor of the argument presented by the CRC student attorneys. Their hard work and dedication established a precedent for cases involving expert witness fees in the future and makes an important improvement to juvenile justice in Iowa.

“Drake Law is great place for students interested in juvenile or family law practice to get the mentorship and practical training they need to hit the ground running upon graduation,” Professor Nickole Miller said. “I am proud of the work student attorneys in the Children’s Rights Clinic are doing to protect and expand the rights of children and youth through direct legal representation in court and administrative proceedings, systemic advocacy work, and community education projects.”

Read the full issue online (for family law rankings, see page 41).

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Drake University Law School earned an A- ranking in PreLaw Magazine’s list of Top Schools for Women in Leadership featured in its latest back-to-school edition.

The magazine cited data from the American Bar Association on the number of female students and faculty to develop “a list of standout institutions.” In addition, the magazine noted “women with leading roles in student bar associations and law reviews.”

“These schools demonstrate that fostering diversity and providing robust support systems can create a more inclusive and empowering community for women in law,” the magazine writes. “By continuing to prioritize these values, they are helping to ensure that the legal profession evolves to better reflect the diversity of society.”

At Drake Law, women make up 58% of the student body and 51% of the faculty. Women administrators and staff also oversee academic affairs, academic success, career development, and the law library. In addition, two-thirds of the student organizations at Drake Law were led by women last year.

“At Drake, we recognize the immense value of fostering women in leadership roles. Our women faculty, staff, and students consistently step up to lead, enriching the Drake Law experience and contributing to our growth as an institution,” said Drake’s Associate Dean, Erin Lain. “Women bring unique perspectives that drive progress and innovation and prioritizing their leadership advances gender parity in the legal profession. We take great pride in the accomplishments of our women leaders at Drake.”

–Taylor Johnson, Law School

Drake University Law School has been named a Best Law School for 2024 by The Princeton Review. The education services company recently released their annual unranked list of outstanding law schools across the country.

“All of the schools that made our list for 2024 deliver exceptional legal education programs,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “We recommend each one as an academically excellent choice for a student considering earning a J.D.”

The list features detailed profiles of each school and quotes from students attending the schools whom The Princeton Review surveyed.

“All of the schools that made our list for 2024 deliver exceptional legal education programs,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “We recommend each one as an academically excellent choice for a student considering earning a J.D.”

Drake Law earned a score of 86 for overall academic experience, 94 for interesting professors, 94 for accessible professors, and 90 for career services (based on a scale of 60 to 99.)

Highlights from the student comment section include:

• Professors are patient and kind but also demand a lot out of students.
• Drake’s location in the capital city and the Law School’s strong alumni network and relationships with the bench and bar in Iowa create an advantage for Drake Law students.
• The small class size allows students to engage effectively and adds to a family atmosphere and many opportunities for students to bond and network outside of the classroom.
• Drake’s “world-class caliber” research and writing program outshines many of the other law schools in the region, according to student response.
• The First-Year Trial Practicum allows first year students “watch the entirety of a trial,” and are able “to discuss various aspects of the trial with professors, the judge, jurors, and practicing attorneys”—an invaluable learning experience.
• Students praise Drake’s Legal Clinic, in which students give “legal aid to people who couldn’t otherwise afford it,” and cite it as a “great opportunity for practical experience.”

“Our goal is to offer a transformative experience for our students,” said Dean of Drake Law School, Roscoe Jones, Jr. “I am pleased that our students believe we are carrying out that goal by offering them access to outstanding faculty, supportive staff, and immense opportunities for professional growth.”

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

The Iowa Character Awards, hosted by The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, highlight Iowa’s role models by recognizing what makes Iowa great—our people! Twelve Iowa individuals and groups are annually recognized for their exceptional character. The 2024 Iowa Character Award recipients are:

• Alan Steckman, Mason City – Citizen of Character
• Carter Hammer, Sioux City – Citizen of Character
• Shelby Griebat, Tipton – Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award
• Katie Hoover, West Des Moines – Educator of Character
• Dan Marburger (posthumously), Perry – Character Champion
• Iowa League of Heroes, Cumming – Organization of Character
• Dallas Center-Grimes Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Grimes – Student Organization of Character
• Clear Creek Elementary, Clear Lake – School of Character
• Dubuque – Community of Character
• Elite Casino Resorts, Riverside – Partner of the Year
• Jean Berger, Dexter – Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award
• Marta Codina, West Des Moines – The Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award

 The 2024 Iowa Character Award recipients will be recognized during a one-hour prime-time TV special on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m. on FOX 17 (Des Moines) and FOX 28 (Cedar Rapids). Join us in celebrating this year’s recipients! Learn more at IowaCharacterAwards.org.

Special thanks to our 2024 partners: FOX 17 Des Moines, Prairie Meadows, Hy-Vee, and Murphy Enterprizes.

— Megan Wesselink, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

Drake University Law School is pleased to announce the new Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic, Colleen Cullen. Professor Cullen will bring a strong background of both teaching and criminal law practice to Drake Law School.

Professor Cullen previously served as a fellow in the Criminal Defense Clinic at the University of Denver and has experience both as a student in Georgetown’s Criminal Defense & Prisoner Advocacy Clinic and as an Assistant State Public Defender at the Wisconsin State Public Defender where she handled a wide range of criminal matters.

“We are very excited to welcome Colleen Cullen to Drake as the next director of the Criminal Defense Clinic,” said Professor Suzan Pritchett, Director of Clinical and Experiential Education. “Professor Cullen brings to Drake a wealth of experience in criminal defense practice as well as a strong pedagogical approach to clinical teaching. She is producing cutting edge scholarship and will continue to build on Drake’s strong tradition of helping students develop core lawyering skills through the direct representation of clients in Iowa’s criminal legal system.”

While at the University of Denver’s Criminal Defense Clinic, Professor Cullen directly supervised eight student attorneys per semester who represent indigent individuals in criminal cases in state and municipal courts in Colorado.

Professor Cullen’s appointment underscores Drake Law School’s commitment to providing its students with exceptional educational opportunities and maintaining its leadership in clinical legal education. Drake Law looks forward to the continued growth and success of the Criminal Defense Clinic under her guidance.

— Taylor Johnson, Drake Law School

Drake University Law School has been named among the best legal writing programs in the country in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 rankings of accredited law schools. This year, Drake’s legal writing program is ranked eleventh in the nation and tied with the University of Michigan for best in the Midwest. The Law School is often recognized for the strength of its legal writing program, consistently ranking among the top 20 in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”

Drake Law School equips students with the legal writing and research skills they need to succeed in the profession. “We have always been proud of our legal writing program,” said Drake Law Dean Jerry Anderson, “and this ranking is evidence of our continuing strength and leadership in this area. Our mission is to prepare ‘complete professionals’ and the ability to communicate effectively and present precise legal analysis are key components of any successful legal career,” said Anderson.

Drake’s legal writing faculty members, Professors Melissa Weresh and Danielle Shelton, are respected leaders in their field who continually engage with other professionals and ensure that Drake’s program is up to date and meets the standards of legal education. Last fall, Drake hosted the 2023 Central States Legal Writing Conference in September. The theme, Embracing New Challenges and Opportunities: Ready for Impact, explored how current trends such as student and faculty wellness, ABA Standard 303, and ChatGPT can enhance teaching and student development.

Professor Weresh has long been a leader in the legal writing community. She was awarded the 2023 Association of Legal Writing Directors’ (ALWD) Linda Berger Award for Excellence in Legal Writing Scholarship. Professor Weresh emphasizes the collaborative approach taken by the Drake faculty, noting “For many years the legal writing faculty have worked closely and effectively with one another to ensure that our students have excellent training in legal communication. Like the team-based learning approach we employ in the classroom, we enjoy a strong sense of collegiality and cooperation with one another.”

Professor Danielle Shelton, who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, has taught Legal Writing at Drake since 2003 and uses her background as a litigator to contribute to Drake’s rigorous legal writing program. Professor Shelton was recently awarded the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award for her work in advocating for marginalized communities, evidenced by her efforts to overturn unfavorable court orders affecting victims’ rights, drafting legislation to address legal gaps, promoting inclusivity for victims with mental disabilities through research and legislative advocacy, actively supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Drake Law, and dedicating extensive volunteer service to animal welfare organizations.

Of Drake’s legal writing program, Professor Shelton says, “Drake is committed to creating practice-ready lawyers—lawyers who can effectively represent clients from Day 1 out of law school. Strong legal writing skills play a crucial role in that, and our legal writing program teaches students the fundamentals and rigors of how lawyers write.”

In the overall U.S News rankings, Drake Law continues to climb, reaching its highest ranking ever (#82) in this year’s list.

 — Taylor Johnson, Law School

In a news-rich month in U.S.-Japan relations, Mary M. McCarthy, professor of politics and international relations, was called on to provide her expertise on the BBC program The Context, through authorship of an article in The Conversation, and in a quote for the Washington Post. For the former two, she analyzed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s April state visit to the US. In the last, she commented on President Joe Biden’s subsequent (and unfortunate) comment about a “xenophobic” Japan at a campaign event on May 1.

After an extensive self-study process led by Dr. Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp followed by a site visit team review and CACREP Board review the Counselor Education program was awarded accreditation through 2032. The Counselor Education program satisfactorily met all of the applicable standards for all three of the programs and was awarded the maximum eight year accreditation.

— Matt Bruinekool, School of Education