The Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recently celebrated its 39th Annual Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon, recognizing remarkable individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Central Iowa.
Among the distinguished honorees was J. Scott Raecker, executive director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University. Raecker was nominated for the Spirit of Philanthropy award by the AFP Central Iowa Chapter Board of Directors for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, ethical leadership, and community service.
Raecker’s professional leadership extends far beyond his role at The Ray Center, the global home of CHARACTER COUNTS!, which impacts over 8 million youth worldwide. He also co-leads the Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy, advancing conversations on civic engagement and public service.
A familiar face at Philanthropy Day events, Raecker has served as emcee for the annual luncheon for many years. “Every year, Scott elevates our program with his thoughtful and heartfelt remarks,” said Andrea Wright, president of the AFP Central Iowa Chapter. “As emcee, he has a very special role in recognizing and lifting up donors and volunteers in our community.”
Drake University celebrates Raecker’s remarkable achievements and dedication to making a positive impact. His recognition by AFP underscores the importance of fostering a culture of philanthropy and ethical leadership—principles that resonate deeply across the Drake community.
Drake University, in collaboration with Homeward, Polk County’s homelessness planning organization, announced today the release of a comprehensive study on families experiencing homelessness in the Des Moines metro area.
This research initiative, conducted with significant involvement of Drake University student researchers, sheds light on the unique challenges families experiencing homelessness are facing. The study brings a humanized perspective to the discussion by highlighting the lived experiences of families while identifying process-driven strategies for addressing the unhoused crisis in Polk County.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate on such an important research project and of how our students contributed to the study,” said Elizabeth Talbert, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology at Drake. “By working closely with Homeward Iowa and engaging directly with families, our students gained invaluable experience in the sociology field and can see the concrete impact their efforts have on pressing issues in the Des Moines community.”
The study, led by Talbert and Professor Matthew Record (previously of Drake, now at Molloy University), involved in-depth interviews and ethnographic study of 10 families with children experiencing homelessness in the Des Moines Area during the summer of 2023. It revealed that families often view entering a shelter as a temporary refuge during a time of crisis. However, the study also found that time limits and behavioral expectations within shelters can create uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion for families. The process of searching for housing presented other hurdles, including intensive application processes and confusing resources.
The study results emphasized that securing independent housing remained the most important goal for all families involved. By exploring these experiences and the multifaceted causes of family homelessness, the study provides crucial insights into immediate human needs including access to shelter, childcare, education, and employment resources.
“Their experience reinforces the concerns of providers we partner with; without enough affordable housing and supportive services, the future is unknown for many families in crisis,” said Angie Arthur, Homeward’s executive director.
The study’s findings will be used to inform Homeward’s strategic planning and community-wide efforts to prevent and address homelessness. Arthur states, “As key leaders create this five-year community strategic plan, the firsthand voices of individuals helps to emphasize the human impact of this work. We are trying to help families, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and the support staff who work tirelessly to best address the needs of our extremely low-income neighbors. When we center our work around solutions that support those most in need, we create a stronger community web for all of us.”
This study is part of a larger research effort, including the previously released Unsheltered Des Moines Study in January 2023. Both studies have been a partnership between Homeward Iowa and Drake University faculty and students, with funding provided by Drake University (The Slay Fund for Social Justice and Fitzsimonds Faculty Fellowships), Wells Fargo, the City of Des Moines, Polk County, and Nationwide.
Homeward serves as Polk County’s homelessness planning organization, forging strategic partnerships toward ending homelessness. By distributing funding, resources, and data, Homeward seeks to create an efficient, effective homeless response system that meets all residents’ strengths and needs. We lead community-wide homelessness planning efforts to ensure that one day, everyone in Polk County will have a safe place to call home. For more information, visit https://www.homewardiowa.org/
—John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing
The grant will fund research into how teachers understand and teach complex topics with social, cultural, scientific, and technical elements, a concept known as socioscientific literacy. Kruse and Woodward will work with fourth and fifth-grade teachers over three years, providing professional development and enabling teachers to bring socioscientific concepts into their curriculum.
“Our unique project allows teachers to understand socioscientific topics while also supporting them as they innovate ways to integrate those topics into existing lessons for their classes,” said Woodward.
“Most students who go into STEM fields acquire an affinity for STEM topics before middle school,” said Kruse. “Giving students access to scientific literacy earlier and adding social and ethical context can make science more relevant to students.”
The socioscientific topics in the study will relate to existing fourth and fifth-grade science lessons. For example, when fourth graders are learning about erosion, or fifth graders are learning about properties and changes in matter, both topics will connect to the socioscientific context around access to clean water. Participating teachers will explore ways to bring such contexts into their classrooms.
Kruse and Woodward will gather data on the efficacy of the program by directly observing how teachers implement socioscientific knowledge and materials. Teachers from eight Des Moines area school districts are participating in the research program. Teachers are paid $3,500 for participating in the project.
“From a literacy perspective, this work has the potential to be groundbreaking in understanding the processes and sense-making strategies that teachers use to understand socioscientific issues, and how they can help students process these issues,” said Woodward.
By the end of three years, Kruse and Woodward hope to have quantitative and qualitative data reflecting how teachers comprehend socioscientific concepts and how they guide their students’ understanding of these issues.
“Often, we don’t realize how important teaching broad scientific literacy is,” said Kruse. “We’re giving teachers the framework to teach scientific literacy in a broader sense to help students better understand the world around them.”
Listen to the SPARC’ing a Conversation podcast with Kruse and Woodward
To learn more about the NSF grant-funded study, listen to Drake University’s SPARC’ing a Conversation podcast featuring Kruse and Woodward.
—John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing
Drake University has appointed Professor Teri Koch as the new Dean of Cowles Library, following approval from the University’s Board of Trustees. Koch, who has served in various leadership roles at the University for more than three decades, will begin her official tenure as dean in a three-year term effective immediately.
Koch has been integral to Drake’s library services since 1993, holding numerous positions, including Professor of Librarianship and Chair of the Scholarly Communications & Collaborations Department. In 2024, she shared interim dean responsibilities with Associate Professor Hope Bibens, effectively steering the library through a transition period. With this new appointment, Koch will continue to advance the library’s strategic goals, which focus on academic excellence, research support, and sustainable resource management.
Drake University Provost Sue Mattison expressed confidence in Koch’s ability to build on the legacy of former Dean Jill Gremmels, who led Cowles Library with unwavering dedication.
“Teri’s leadership this past year has been exemplary, balancing the demands of her role while remaining an advocate for her colleagues and the students she serves,” said Mattison. “Teri’s longstanding dedication to Cowles Library and her innovative contributions make her uniquely suited to lead the library into a new era of academic collaboration and research accessibility—building upon Jill’s legacy and vision.”
Committed to accessibility
Throughout her career at Drake, Koch has championed forward-thinking library initiatives, including pioneering one of the Midwest’s first Patron-Driven Acquisitions programs, which ensures resource allocation aligns closely with student and faculty needs. She has also been a driving force behind the library’s Open Education Resources initiatives, helping students reduce costs associated with commercial textbooks. As part of her commitment to accessible and inclusive resources, Koch has established partnerships both within and outside of Iowa, positioning Drake’s library as a model for collaborative resource sharing.
Revered in the community
Koch is well-regarded in the academic community, having held influential roles within the Iowa Academic Library Alliance and the Central Iowa Collaborative Collections Initiative. Her leadership has been recognized for fostering collaboration across academic institutions, supporting student success, and advancing the academic library profession through published research and presentations.
“I am honored to take on the role of dean at Cowles Library, a place that has been close to my heart for more than 30 years,” said Koch. “I look forward to working with our talented library team and faculty partners to continue enhancing the library’s role in supporting academic excellence and student achievement at Drake.”
The Drake community congratulates Teri Koch on her appointment as dean, as she leads Cowles Library into a promising future of innovation and shared knowledge.
—John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing
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 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.”
“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!
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
