Drake University took a powerful step this summer in renewing its commitment to the growth and development of the Drake Neighborhood when the University hired Drake alumnus Nick Valdez to the position of neighborhood and community relations manager.

In this new University role, which reports to the chief of staff in the Office of the President, Valdez will develop and enhance partnerships between the University and Drake Neighborhood stakeholders to strengthen the overall economic development and vitality of the area. He will serve as the central point of contact for Drake Neighborhood businesses, institutions, and residents to support mutual campus and community engagement, to address community concerns, and to advance new partnership opportunities. Learn more about Nick and his new role in the Drake Newsroom.

On July 18, Manny Toribio joined Drake as assistant director, facilities planning and management. Manny will assist in key changes to facility operations in light of Drake’s decision to terminate its third-party facility management contract effective July 1. Manny was previously employed by the City of Prairie City, where he was the city administrator for three years. Prior to Prairie City he spent six years with the City of Des Moines as a planning technician. A few highlights of activities and events he participated in while at Prairie City include:

• Revision of codes and ordinances to improve government service delivery
• Successful annexation of 10 acres of land for future economic development opportunities
• Oversaw private construction projects, which have resulted in significant growth
• Secured over $2.1 million through various grants
• Conducted several major capital improvement projects including: Wastewater Treatment Facility, North Entryway Sign, and the North Side Sewer Rehabilitation
• Major event planning, such as: Prairie Days, City Wide Clean-up, and recreational fundraisers
• Supervised a goal-setting session with elected officials, followed by a community survey
• Coordinated the development of balanced budgets
• Worked to remove derelict buildings through a demolition program
• Construction of the Healthy Way Fitness Zone Playground and other significant improvements to the Community Park

Manny received his B.S. in community and regional planning from Iowa State University, and his MPA from Drake in 2010.

Please join us in welcoming Manny to the Drake community.

—Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management

Welcome the following Bulldogs to Drake:

Sue Mattison, Provost
Megan Brady, CPHS
Steve Bowen, CPHS
Daniel Chibnall, Cowles Library
Brenda McNear, Facilities Planning & Management
Venetta Hammond, Facilities Planning & Management
Mitchell Wieczorek, Facilities Planning & Management
Manny Toribio, Facilities Planning & Management
Mary Wohlford-Wessels, Sponsored Programs
Nicole Hays, Athletics
Andrew Dunlay, Athletics
Michelle Curtis, Head Start
Laura Schurz, Head Start
Thomas Rogers, ITS
Danielle Peters, University Events Management

—Human Resources

The Drake University/Community Chorus is open to all singers, Drake and non-Drake alike, without audition. The ensemble will begin rehearsing for its Nov. 20 performance of music by Mozart, Brahms, and contemporary composers on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The choir rehearses each Tuesday, 6:30–8 p.m., in the Harmon Fine Arts Center under the direction of Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies at Drake. For further information, please contact her at aimee.beckmann-collier@drake.edu, 271-2841, or check the Music Department website.

—Kayla Jenkins, Interim Assistant to the Dean

Please save the date for Gretchen Beckley’s retirement party on Sept. 16, 3–5 p.m. in Levitt Hall.  Gretchen retired on July 31 after 29 years of employment at Drake. She started in Career Services and then served in International Programs and Services for 24 years. Please join Drake colleagues to wish Gretchen well!

—Denise Ganpat, Drake International

CBPA Dean Terri Vaughan recognized
Terri Vaughan, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, recently was listed among the most influential people in the insurance industry. The July 2016 issue of Best’s Review, a monthly magazine covering the industry, profiled Vaughan among 24 key influencers “who saw new ways of doing things and took risks to go in new directions.”

Vaughan was named in recognition of her work as CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners from 2009 to 2012. In that role, she, “helped steer the organization through the recovery years after the Great Recession, helping identify, develop prioritize, and achieve regulatory modernization and other key initiatives.” Read more in the Drake Newsroom.

Shontavia Johnson named ABA top young lawyer
Shontavia Johnson, the Kern Family Chair in Intellectual Property Law and director of the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake University Law School, has been named one of the nation’s top young lawyers by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Johnson was selected to the ABA’s inaugural Top 40 Young Lawyers list, which recognizes young lawyers who exemplify high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service. Learn more about Shontavia in the Drake Newsroom.

The Drake Neighborhood Association has brought back the Drake Farmers Market. The market is now a nonprofit corporation organized for the purpose of promotion and development of urban gardening, food and food preparation education, and the health benefits of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. The Farmers Market is located on 26th Street south of University Avenue (across from Old Main).

Questions or concerns, contact Nick Valdez, neighborhood & community relations manager for Drake University, 515-271-2394, nick.valdez@drake.edu.

Drake students had another strong showing in this summer’s Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication magazine contest. Drake Magazine, edited by senior Melissa Studach, won first place for general excellence, as well as first place in design under art director Susanna Hayward, JO’16. Judge Scott Burton, executive editor of ESPN the Magazine, commented, “I’m gobsmacked by how great this entry is — every bit the equal of many professional city magazines … I mean seriously: Wow. Are you sure you all aren’t professionals?”

The Annual, with editor-in-chief Emily Gregor, JO’16, won first place for editorial and Drake Magazine won second place. The senior capstone website, Urban Plains, won honorable mention for online magazine. In addition, Colton Warren, JO’16, and Cole Norum, JO’16, won writing awards, and junior Katie Bandurski won an award for her magazine prototype.

—Kathleen Richardson, Dean, SJMC