Students in SJMC courses have presented their work to class clients in recent weeks.

The Master of Communication Leadership students in the Applied Theory and Research class presented their assessment of the organization, brand recognition, and community needs to Best Buddies of Iowa, a nonprofit that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. The MCL students will also conduct work for Best Buddies in courses in the spring and summer.

The advertising research class presented their report to the capstone client Des Moines Menace soccer organization, as did the public relations seniors to their client, Creative Visions, which serves low-income residents in the Drake neighborhood and beyond. Those courses will work with their clients in the spring as well.

The PR Planning class presented work to their clients, Tutus & Tennis Shoes and The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand. Students in PR Writing and FYS-The Real Hunger Games presented their collaborative work to five representatives of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) food pantry network for their new initiative, Food Pantry 2.0.

—Kathleen Richardson, SJMC

Two Drake public relations seniors were recognized at the recent PR News annual awards luncheon in Washington, D.C.

Maddy Gildersleeve was named PR News Student of the Year. The award recognizes “an outstanding student who has demonstrated leadership, talent and passion” for public relations and communications.

Sarah Mondello received honorable mention for PR News Intern of the Year for her work with Drake Community Press. The award recognizes a student who “established herself or himself quickly as a self-starting member and idea generator for a communications team and exhibited strong writing skills, professional demeanor [and] smart use of digital tactics.”

—Kathleen Richardson, SJMC

Martin Roth, Drake professor of philosophy, will release his book, Philosophical Foundations of Neurolaw, this month. It is a scholarly monograph published by Lexington Books. Neurolaw is a rapidly growing field that addresses several important issues at the intersection of neuroscience, law, and philosophy. The book addresses a number of public policy matters, such as criminal law, and showcases cross-disciplinary research.

—Martin Roth, Department of Philosophy and Religion

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has nominated two public relations seniors for the annual PR News international PR People Awards, who have become finalists. Maddy Gildersleeve has been selected as a finalist for PR Student of the Year and Sarah Mondello has been selected as a finalist for PR Intern of the Year.

PR News‘ PR People Awards is an international competition that recognizes the top talent whose work is making an impact in the communications field. The recipients of this award represent the professionals who are responsible for outstanding PR achievements made in the past year. PR News wants to meet the best in PR and introduce them to the thousands of readers of PR News and their key stakeholders.

The winners of the PR People Awards will be profiled online and at an awards luncheon on Dec. 5 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty participated in the annual program for the Iowa Chapter of the Fulbright Alumni Association, which included current Fulbright scholars at Iowa institutions and past Fulbright scholars who live in Iowa. The theme of this year’s program was freedom of speech and press. Professor David Wright conducted a two-hour morning session on the basics of the First Amendment and the foundations of mass communication in the United States. The afternoon panel discussion focused on current issues facing the journalism profession. Participants included Dean Kathleen Richardson and Drake alumnus Lynn Hicks, JO’91, who is the opinion editor for the Des Moines Register. Leslie Mamoorian, who retired as associate director of international admission at Drake, coordinated the event.

Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Drake University’s STEM librarian Dan Chibnall is a passionate advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics literacy on campus and in the community. Chibnall recently was elected as the Vice President/President-Elect for the Iowa Library Association (ILA). He has served on the ILA board since 2015, having held an at-large position before being chosen as the new Vice President/President Elect.

Visit the newsroom to read an interview with Chibnall on his ILA election and work at Drake.

Deborah Kent, associate professor of mathematics, won a state award for innovation in STEM education.

The Technology Association of Iowa named Kent the recipient of a 2017 Women of Innovation Award in the category of Academic Innovation and Leadership during a ceremony on November 13.

She had been named one of five finalists in October, alongside educators from the Waukee, Des Moines, and Carroll public school districts, the University of Northern Iowa, and the Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater.

The award also recognizes Kent’s national reputation for excellence in mathematics writing, and her emphasis on teaching students effectively to communicate technical information.

Kent is the founding faculty advisor for Women in Mathematics and Computer Science (WiMaCS), a Drake student group organized to unite, engage, educate, and empower women interested in mathematics and computer science.

Read the news release to learn more.

A new book by professor of pharmacy Edward Bell answers parents’ most common questions about the safety and effectiveness of medicines for children.

When used correctly, over-the-counter and prescription medicines can help sick children feel better. But if misused, they can be dangerous—even fatal. “Children’s Medicines: What Every Parent, Grandparent, and Teacher Needs to Know” (Johns Hopkins University Press, Oct. 2017) helps parents and caretakers understand whether, when, and what medications to give to infants, children, and teenagers.

Bell draws on the latest scientific information, combined with his more than 30 years of expertise as a pediatric pharmacist and teacher, for the 160-page book. A few of the many popular topics discussed within the book include:

• A discussion of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, which recent studies have shown to be dangerous (and even potentially fatal) for young children, and Bell says are unnecessary for children younger than 12.
• An explanation of why some adult medications are not safe for children
• Descriptions of medicine for treating fever and common illnesses
• Practical tips on measuring, flavoring, and administering medicines
• Directions for giving medicine in the mouth, nose, ear, and eye
• Advice for keeping children of all ages safe around medications

Phillip Brunell, emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, called the book “an invaluable, well-referenced, and reliable guide for any family that has—or is expecting to have—children… a must for every family.”