Drake University Law School has received a $300,000 gift from the Sease & Wadding Law Firm to support the Children’s Rights Clinic, in memory of Sabrina Ray, a 16-year-old whose death in 2017 reinforced the need for continued evaluation and improvement of Iowa’s child welfare system.

The donation is part of a $4.175 million settlement between the State of Iowa and a sibling of Sabrina Ray. This gift has established the new Sabrina Ray Endowed Fund for the Children’s Rights Clinic at Drake Law School. The fund will support two key initiatives that honor Sabrina’s life and strengthen legal advocacy for vulnerable youth:

• The Ray of Hope Award, presented annually at the Drake Supreme Court Celebration Banquet, will recognize a student in the Children’s Rights Clinic whose advocacy on behalf of children in the juvenile court system inspires hope for a better future.
• The Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship will support rising second and third year law students who secure internships with non-profit or government agencies specializing in juvenile law. The fellowship includes a stipend for summer living expenses and funding to attend a national child welfare training or conference. It aims to remove financial barriers for students entering the field and expand the pipeline of future child advocates.

“Finances are often a barrier for law students interested in public interest legal work on behalf of children,” said Professor Nickole Miller, Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. “I am particularly excited about the creation of the Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship which will provide generous summer funding for Drake Law students to intern at children’s rights organizations and attend child welfare-focused law conferences. The fellowship, together with the new Ray of Hope Award recognizing student excellence in the Children’s Rights Clinic, build strong children’s attorneys and envision a future where all children are safe, supported, and empowered.”

The Children’s Rights Clinic provides direct representation to children in child welfare and juvenile justice proceedings. The endowed fund strengthens Drake Law’s mission to train practice-ready attorneys while advancing justice for society’s most vulnerable.

“Sabrina Ray deserved a strong legal advocate and safe and loving home. These funds will be used to honor the life and legacy of Sabrina Ray by supporting and celebrating the next generation of children’s rights attorneys and giving them the tools and experiences needed to be zealous, child-centered advocates,” said Professor Miller.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Maria Valdovinos, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Psychology, was selected as a recipient of the 2025 Association for Behavior Analysis International Outstanding Mentor Award. The student committee shared the following regarding her selection:

“Dr. Maria Valdovinos exemplifies transformative mentorship through her resolute dedication to nurturing both academic excellence and personal growth in her students. Her mentorship extends far beyond traditional academic roles, creating enduring professional relationships that continue to flourish long after students graduate. Former mentees consistently highlight her remarkable accessibility and genuine investment in their success, noting how she remains a trusted advisor throughout their careers. What distinguishes Dr. Valdovinos is her exceptional ability to inspire passion for behavior analysis while providing practical opportunities for growth. This approach has created a powerful ripple effect, with an impressive 95% of her undergraduate researchers advancing to graduate-level education. Dr. Valdovinos’s impact extends beyond individual mentorship to systematic change. Particularly, she demonstrates a rare combination of academic excellence and compassionate mentorship that has transformed behavior analysis education and practice throughout Iowa and beyond.”

Professor Valdovinos and fellow recipients were recognized in May during the Presidential Address at the 51st Annual Convention of the Association in Washington, D.C.

— Maria Valdovinos, College of Arts & Sciences

The Zimpleman College of Business is proud to announce that Associate Professor Mary Edrington has been appointed as a Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professor. In her 39 years of service to Drake, Professor Edrington has amassed a documented record of exceptional performance in the three criteria for appointment as a Sheehan Professor: exceptional teaching effectiveness, notable contributions to her field, and outstanding contributions to the college and university.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, Zimpleman College of Business

Professor Sally Frank was honored by Princeton University with a café named after her, recognizing her perseverance and excellence. As a student in 1979, she challenged the exclusion of women from three all-male eating clubs. After a prolonged legal battle, the clubs began admitting women by 1991, and she officially won her lawsuit in 1992. Congratulations, Professor Frank – we’re proud of your impactful work!

Drake University Law School is proud to announce that Professor Christoph Henkel has been appointed as the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law, recognizing his outstanding scholarship and expertise in international law, commercial arbitration, and financial regulation.

A scholar and respected voice in international legal circles, Professor Henkel has published more than 30 peer-reviewed and student-edited law review articles, book chapters, and scholarly works. His publications have been cited in over 150 scholarly articles, referenced in the Restatement (Third) of U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration, and are recognized as leading contributions in their respective fields. His work is accessed and engaged with by scholars and practitioners in more than 115 countries.

Professor Henkel is also the 2024 recipient of the Stevens Faculty Scholar of the Year Award, further affirming his academic distinction. In addition to his scholarship, he serves as an international arbitrator for the European Union and a public arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in the United States, extending the reach of his legal expertise far beyond the classroom.

“Professor Henkel embodies the excellence the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professorship was created to honor,” said Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr. “His scholarly impact, global reputation, and ongoing contributions to the legal field make him a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious appointment.”

Drake University Law School is proud to announce its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Law Certificate Program.

From day one at Drake, Dean Jones has made AI a top priority, starting with his AI Task Force. “Thanks to Dean Jones’ leadership, we are able to offer this unique opportunity to Drake Law students,” according to AI Law Certificate Program Director, Associate Professor and Sease Faculty Research Scholar Sayoko Blodgett-Ford.

“The AI Law Certificate empowers students to lead at the intersection of law and technology–whether in private practice, government, nonprofit, policymaking or academia,” said Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr.  “Artificial Intelligence is not just changing industries; it’s reshaping governance, ethics, and the very framework of legal systems.  At Drake Law, we prepare our students with the insight, rigor, and forward-thinking vision needed to meet this moment–and shape what comes next.”

The AI Law Certificate Program is uniquely interdisciplinary, drawing on expertise from across the Drake campus and beyond, including the Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation founded by Judge Mark W. Bennett (ret.), Drake University’s pioneering Artificial Intelligence undergraduate degree, led by Dr. Christopher Porter, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Co-Chair of the Math & Computer Science Departments, and research at the intersection of the arts, sciences and law.

Designed to be completed by J.D. students during their second and third year at Drake Law, the AI Law Certificate Program is deeply collaborative. “From exploring color and object theory, under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Studio Art Jamey Hart, in the context of machine vision and trademark law, to considering quantum computing data exfiltration detection in cybersecurity, we train law students to go beyond the headlines and critically examine AI’s promises and risks,” said Professor Blodgett-Ford.

Nicholas Romano, a second-year law student in Drake Law’s AI Policy and Governance class, shared, “The new AI Law Certificate at Drake is an amazing opportunity. By working on real-world scenarios that create directly transferable skills, I feel much more prepared to address and advocate for AI-related legal issues and concerns. I’m so happy that Drake is leading the charge.”

Learn more about the new AI Law Certificate program here.

Drake University Law School was ranked among the top law schools in the nation in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Law School rankings. The latest ranking at #84 marks the third year in a row of ranking within the top 100 schools in the country.

The annual rankings evaluate institutions on their graduate job placement, faculty resources, academic profiles of entering students, and peer evaluations regarding perceived program quality. These rankings place a special emphasis on bar passage rate and graduate job placement.

“I am proud to share that our ranking of 84 marks only the third time in our history that we have been recognized among the top 100,” said Roscoe Jones, Jr., dean of the Drake University Law School. “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our faculty and staff, who prepare our students to be practice-ready upon graduation, our driven students, and our accomplished alumni.”

In addition to the overall ranking, Drake Law’s legal writing program ranked #17 in the country and was ranked #60 for Clinical Training.

This year’s ranking comes on the heels of several other acknowledgments of Drake Law School’s excellence in preparing students for future career success. This year, Drake Law has been recognized by preLaw magazine as a top school in four practice areas including family law, human rights, trial advocacy, and practical training. Drake was also recognized as a top school for Women Leadership in preLaw magazine’s Back to School 2024 issue.

“We have long been one of the best kept secrets in legal education, and our steadfast focus on delivering practice-ready education is now drawing well-deserved attention,” said Dean Jones. “Our community benefits from a robust education in legal theory, enriched by hands-on experiences that equip our graduates with the skills they need to thrive from day one in their legal careers.”

See the full list of U.S. News rankings for Drake Law School here.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Drake University Law School is proud to announce this year’s alumni award honorees. Anjela Shutts, LW’96, is Alumna of the Year; Elizabeth Van Arkel, LW’12, is Recent Alumna of the Year; and Judge Mark W. Bennett, LW’75, will be recognized with the Alumni Distinguished Public Service Award. We will honor award winners at the 88th annual Supreme Court Celebration Banquet on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Visit the Supreme Court Celebration events page for event and registration information.

Each year, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate individuals for alumni awards. Law School Board of Counselors and Recent Alumni Engagement Board members consider all nominations and vote to determine who will receive the annual honors.

Alumna of the Year

The Alumna of the Year award recognizes Drake Law School alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service to the legal profession, the community, and the Law School.

Anjie earned her B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1993 and her J.D. at Drake University Law School in 1996. While in law school, she was involved in the National Mock Trial Team, the Client Counseling Team, was a recipient of the Carlucci Award for Professionalism and Civility, and served as President of the Drake Law Women. Anjie was an adjunct professor in family law at Drake University Law School 2011 – 2012. She was a member and served as chair of the Drake University Law School Board of Counselors. Anjie was named to the Drake University College of Law “150 in 150” list of outstanding alumni in 2015. In 2018, Anjie received the Luther College Distinguished Service Award. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Luther College Board of Regents.

She joined Whitfield & Eddy Law in Des Moines while attending Drake University Law School as a law clerk. After graduating and passing the Bar, she joined the firm as an attorney in 1996 and established a practice representing individuals and families in family law matters. Her focus is on domestic relations and she has represented parties in complex dissolutions involving business owners, highly compensated executives, high net worth individuals and families, as well as highly contested custody matters. The firm’s practice group now includes ten attorneys and administrative assistants. Anjie is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has been recognized by Chambers USA High Net Worth, Best Lawyers in America and Great Plains Super Lawyers. She recently celebrated her 30^th anniversary at the firm.

Anjie has served as co-chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Associate Professional Development Committee, Professional Recruitment Committee, co-chair of the Family Law Practice Group, and served for six years as a member of the three-person Executive Committee.

Anjie is a founding board member of the Iowa Center for Children’s Justice and has served as board chair since 2023. She was the President of the Iowa State Bar Association 2021—2022. She was a member of the Iowa Family Law Case Processing Reform Task Force Steering Committee and the Iowa State Judicial Nominating Commission for Polk County. Anjie was vice-chair to the Iowa Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission from 2016—2021 and also served on the Remote Testimony Task Force – Family Law work group for the Iowa Supreme Court. She currently serves a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines Review Committee and the Iowa Supreme Court Civil Rules of Procedure Task Force.  She has served as president of the Polk County Bar Association, the Polk County Women Attorneys, and the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.

Anjie was recognized as one of The Des Moines Register’s 15 People to Watch in 2019. She received the Polk County Women Attorneys Willie Stevenson Glanton Award, the Iowa Supreme Court Voice of Justice Award, and the Luther College Distinguished Service Award in 2018. She received the Polk County Bar Association Award of Merit in 2017. A graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, she received the Alumni Community Vision Award in 2014. She was recognized as a member of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 in 2002.

Recent Alumna of the Year

The Recent Alumnus of the Year award recognizes Drake Law School alumni who have graduated in the past 15 years, have seen a high level of professional success early in their careers, and have made an impact on the community through public service.

Elizabeth’s passion is helping foreign nationals navigate the U.S. immigration system, whether coming to the U.S. for a visit, work opportunities, family-based immigration, or escape from domestic violence or dangerous conditions in their home countries. Elizabeth offers guidance in an often changing and complicated system and guides her clients through the entire immigration process, from preparing and submitting the forms and application, through consular processing and scheduling visa appointments at the consulate.

She relishes the opportunity to help bridge the cultural divide between U.S. employers and their foreign-born employees. Companies trust Elizabeth to manage their talent needs by assisting with the recruitment and hiring of foreign nationals through non-immigrant petitions for H-1B workers and H-4 dependents, R-1 (religious workers), and TN workers based on the trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Elizabeth further counsels employers on worksite compliance, including I-9 compliance, navigating the F-1 student OPT and STEM OPT programs, J-1 visas and J-1 visa waivers, and employment authorization (EADs). Her work with companies continues as they navigate the process to keep vital members of their team in the U.S. for good. Elizabeth assists employers and foreign nationals with the permanent residence process including immigrant petitions for PERM labor certifications and immigrant worker petitions to provide a path to a green card. These processes include I-140 applications as well as specialized applications for physicians in the Physician National Interest Waiver (PNIW) and I-360 applications for religious workers.

Individuals currently in the U.S. facing deportation rely on Elizabeth’s defense in U.S. Immigration Court as well as in Iowa criminal courts when a criminal conviction could impact immigration status. Elizabeth has successfully handled Cancellation of Removal cases in removal proceedings and has successfully closed deportation proceedings for those eligible to adjust status to lawful permanent residence. Elizabeth also advises individuals present in the U.S. in their affirmative and defensive asylum applications and arrived refugees pursuing more permanent status. Also included are those seeking fiancé visas (K-1), spousal visas (K-3), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), U-Visas for victims of violence, I-601A and I-601 Waivers, I-751 Removal of Conditions, J-1 Waivers, Change of Status to F-1 Student, I-539 Change of Status, consular processing, green card renewals (I-90), and N-400 Naturalization applications. Elizabeth has counseled numerous families bringing relatives to the U.S. through family-based immigration as well.

Working at the intersection of immigration and criminal law, Elizabeth counsels clients and other attorneys on the effect of criminal charges and convictions on immigration. She negotiates plea agreements in an effort to avoid negative immigration consequences which could later affect her client’s immigration path in the U.S.

Elizabeth has a passion for conflict resolution in divorce and custody matters. She understands tensions are high during family law conflicts and advocates for her client’s best interests, and if involved in the dispute, the best interest of the children. Elizabeth has litigated high-asset property cases, successfully advocated for parents to have more visitation with their children, a fairer custody settlement, appropriate child support guidelines, and equitable distribution of property and assets when dividing marital property. Elizabeth also has experience with adoption cases, including same-sex parent adoptions, step-parent adoptions, and name changes. She has successfully advocated for a custody reversal from one parent as the primary physical care custodian to the other parent, reduced child support guidelines based on changes in circumstance, protected assets, and acquired fair resolutions to other property disputes. Elizabeth is sensitive to those individuals from different countries and cultures when she is negotiating in the family law realm on behalf of her foreign national clients.

Alumni Distinguished Public Service Award

The Distinguished Public Service Award recognizes Drake Law School alumni who have engaged in exemplary service to the community and demonstrated commitment to public service over the course of their careers.

Judge Mark W. Bennett dedicated his 49+ years as a lawyer and judge to public service. After graduating from Drake Law School in 1975 he started his own law firm where he specialized in civil rights, civile liberties and public interest law with an emphasis on pro bono cases.  Judge Bennett served as the U.S. District Judge, Northern District of Iowa 1994-2019 (Chief Judge, 2000-2007) and as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Iowa (1991-1994). He has taught at five law schools and published more than two dozen law review articles and numerous other articles. He has lectured at more than 500 CLE programs in 41 states and several foreign countries. Bennett was the first judge in the country to develop and use an implicit bias jury instruction and was a founding member of the National Implicit Bias Network and has been involved in educating more than 4500 state and federal trial and appellate judges, and many more lawyers from Alaska to Florida and Maine to Hawaii on implicit bias. After becoming the first Director of the Drake Law School’s Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation, he took emeritus status at the end of 2024. He currently has an active mediation and arbitration practice throughout the U.S.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

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.

Learn more about the AFP and this year’s award recipients.

—John Smith, University Advancement

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.

To read the full report, Metro Homelessness: A Study of Family Experiences, visit: https://www.homewardiowa.org/unshelteredfamilies

About Homeward

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