Category Archives: News & Achievements Archive

News & Achievements Archive

Christina Trombley awarded leadership award by continuing education association

Christina Trombley, executive director for Drake Online and Continuing Education, recently received the 2022 Central Region Sue Maes Outstanding Leadership Award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).

The award recognizes one UPCEA Central Region professional member each year who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service. Trombley was honored at at the UPCEA Central Region Conference in late September in Columbus, Ohio.

The award recognizes leadership, service, and a commitment to adult and continuing education with the member’s institution and region.  A long-time UPCEA member, Trombley has presented and moderated a number of conference sessions at both the regional and national level. She has held several offices within the organization, including vice-chair and chair for the Central Region, and currently serves the region as regional representative.  In addition, she is recognized for her commitment to mentoring and supporting others at UCM, at other institutions and through numerous UPCEA connections.

News & Achievements Archive

Nelson named a 2022 Next-Generation Future Pharmacist Award finalist

Molly Nelson, a fourth-year student pharmacist in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was named one of three national finalists for the 2022 Next-Generation Future Pharmacist™ Award sponsored by Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times. The winner will be announced during the Next-Generation Pharmacist Award Gala held on September 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo.

“I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for the Next-Generation Future Pharmacist Award and am astounded that I am a finalist,” said Nelson. “I am even more honored to be able to help the community through the work I do, while being mentored by amazing pharmacists everywhere I go.”

Read more about Molly Nelson’s accomplishments and the award.

— Kaylyn Maher, CPHS

News & Achievements Archive

Welty chairs International Epilepsy Crisis Response Task Force; Student pharmacists involved in Ukrainian emergency response

Tim Welty, professor of pharmacy practice, has been appointed chair of the newly formed International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Crisis Response Task Force. Dr. J Helen Cross, President of the ILAE and The Prince of Wales’s Chair of Childhood Epilepsy at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has formed the Task Force to address concerns and develop plans for responding to future crises and the impact on patients with epilepsy. She asked Welty to serve as chair following his involvement with the Emergency Response (Ukraine) Task Force.

Welty, who also serves as director of research, innovation, and global initiatives for the CPHS, engaged several second-year student pharmacists he instructed in the spring of 2022 to assist with the work of the Ukraine task force. Welty will continue to engage students in assisting with projects for the new task force to meet its charges.

“The work of this task force will help to raise awareness of the need to include people with epilepsy in planning for emergencies and crises,” said Welty. “Abrupt discontinuation of seizure medications due to an emergency or crisis can result in increased seizures that are dangerous to the person or others and could result in death from the seizures.”

Read more about the newly formed task force, its charges, and how students will be involved.

News & Achievements Archive

The hits keep coming: Drake’s School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management continues in the vanguard of insurance research

The results of four major insurance research projects led by faculty from Drake University’s School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management were published in prestigious academic journals during the last 12 months. The papers, which cover topics ranging from the impact of increased insurance consumption in China to how insurers and regulators are responding to the transition to a new benchmark for pricing risk, reflect the challenges and opportunities in the increasingly dynamic and globally connected insurance market.

“As one of a select group of the Society of Actuaries’ Centers of Actuarial Excellence, we are committed to exploring the issues and trends that drive the insurance sector” said Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, which is home to Drake’s actuarial science program. “Our continued success in publishing relevant and timely research also informs the business-centric curriculum that we deliver to our actuarial science students.”

The four recent peer-reviewed journal articles (in order of publication) include:

  • “The Changing of the Guard (from LIBOR to SOFR) and How Both Insurers and Regulators are Responding” authored by Toby White (of Drake University) published in Journal of Insurance Regulation
  • “Estimating Spillover Effects in Property Casualty Insurance Consumption” authored by Douglas Bujakowski (of Drake University) and Shinichi Kamiya (of Nanyang Technological University) published in North American Actuarial Journal
  • “Insurance Research in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe: What We Can Learn from XPRIMM Data” authored by Douglas Bujakowski (of Drake University) and Patricia Born (of Florida State University) published in Risk Management and Insurance Review
  • “An Asymptotic Study of Systemic Expected Shortfall and Marginal Expected Shortfall” authored by Yiqing Chen (of Drake University) and Jiajun Liu (of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University) published in Insurance: Mathematics and Economics

The research work conducted by the School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management is made possible by support from the Principal Financial Group.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, CBPA

News & Achievements Archive

Actuarial science students can now earn credit for Society of Actuaries exams based on strong course performance

Drake University has received University-Earned Credit (UEC) status from the Society of Actuaries (SOA). This will enable students in the university’s School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management to earn credit for select SOA exams by attaining required UEC scores in related courses. The SOA’s Exam FM (financial mathematics) and Exam SRM (statistics for risk modeling) will be included in the initial roll-out of the program which is made possible by Drake’s elite standing as an SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE).

“This new pathway demands a high academic standard to ensure that the same exam rigor is present in our curriculum so Drake’s CAE status provides our students an ideal foundation for success,” said Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, which is home to Drake’s actuarial science program. “The UEC is the first step in the SOA’s new modernized and modularized education system designed to empower students. We are eager to be on the leading edge of this initiative to offer new options and opportunities for students and employers.”

The leadership and faculty of Drake’s actuarial science program completed a comprehensive application process to earn the UEC status. This submission included evidencing work done to structure the related courses to meet standards established and monitored by the SOA. This new option, available starting in the fall 2022 semester, will allow students enrolled in the university’s actuarial science program to earn credit for the FM and SRM exams after receiving required scores in respective courses that cover the exam’s syllabus. The development work conducted by the School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management to achieve the UEC status was facilitated by support from EMC Insurance Group, Inc.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, CBPA

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Law Review again receives Top 40 ranking

Drake Law Review is ranked 36 in a field of more than 1,500 journals in the Washington & Lee (W&L) Law Journal Rankings. The ranking reflects the number of court decisions that have cited the Law Review during the five-year period from 2017-2021. Drake Law Review has ranked in the top 50 most-cited law reviews every year but two since 2003.

Maintained by the W&L Law Library, the rankings are a world-recognized resource for identifying and comparing law journals by subject, country of publication, or rank across several categories relevant to scholars and publishers. The ranking for case citations includes more than 660 student-edited journals.

Drake Law Review’s exemplary articles, notes, and lectures are academically and practically relevant to professors, judges, practitioners, and law students. The Law Review is consistently recognized as one of the top student-published law journals in the nation. This case citation ranking is one indication of how helpful the articles are to the judiciary in writing opinions.

Professor Keith Miller, faculty advisor to the Law Review, attributes the ranking to the tradition of excellence that is passed from one year’s staff to the next. “All current and former staff members should be proud of this recognition of their commitment to making the Law Review an outstanding resource for the courts, and the professional and academic communities,” Miller said. “Congratulations to all the current members and to the alumni of the Law Review.”

To learn more, visit the Drake Law Review website here: www.drakelawreview.org/.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

Drake and the Greater Des Moines Partnership to host Chicago Fed chair on Aug. 10 at Sheslow

Drake University and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will host Charles Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, for an economic update on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. at Drake’s Sheslow Auditorium.

Evans will provide an expert perspective on the effects of recent monetary policy on regional and U.S. economic activity. The Chicago Fed is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks across the country. These 12 banks — along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. — make up our nation’s central bank. As head of the Chicago Fed, Evans oversees the work of roughly 1,400 employees in Chicago and Detroit who conduct economic research, supervise financial institutions and provide payment services to commercial banks and the U.S. government.

Evans has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since September 2007. In that capacity, he serves on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policymaking body. Before becoming president in September of 2007, Evans served as director of research and senior vice president, supervising the Bank’s research on monetary policy, banking, financial markets and regional economic conditions. His personal research has focused on measuring the effects of monetary policy on U.S. economic activity, inflation and financial market prices, and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

The conversation will feature a question-and-answer session with Evans moderated by Robert Palmer with the Iowa League of Cities.

“We are excited to welcome Charles Evans for what promises to be a timely and relevant conversation on the U.S. economy,” said Andrea Woodard, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at The Partnership. “Charles will provide insight into the Federal Reserve’s decisions and how they will impact Greater Des Moines businesses and organizations.”

Learn more about the event.

News & Achievements Archive

Drake’s actuarial science program recognized with Casualty Actuarial Society University Award

The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) has recognized Drake University with the 2022 CAS University Award. This honor is in acknowledgement of the exemplary ways the University’s actuarial science program prepares students for careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. The CAS cited the opportunities for Drake students to gain exposure to the sector through the program’s curriculum, research, and industry engagement as innovative. 

“This award is a reflection of our focus on continuous improvement to ensure Drake remains the actuarial science program of choice for students seeking a career in this burgeoning field,” said Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, which is home to Drake’s actuarial science program. “Our pursuit of this recognition was propelled by the encouragement of alum Jack Richards and the contributions of two current Drake students, Caitlyn Nielson and Benjamin Ticali, who together with our faculty generated this first-ever distinction for Drake.”

The annual CAS University Award program is designed to celebrate and honor universities who share the organization’s commitment to fostering the development of the next generation of property and casualty actuaries. According to the CAS, the 2022 selection process is extremely competitive with 43 institutions worldwide having sought recognition through this program and only four universities, including Drake, receiving the award.

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

Mark Ernst named chair of Drake University Board of Trustees 

The Drake University Board of Trustees has named alumnus and business executive Mark Ernst, BN’80, as its new chair. Ernst, who has served on the board since 2008 and is currently co-chair of The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold, will succeed Peggy Fisher who has served in the role since July 2019. Ernst will begin his term July 1. 

“I am confident that Mark’s strong leadership, vision, and commitment to Drake will propel our great University forward,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mark will continue to advance the mission and global reach of the University as he has done for more than a decade. He also will continue helping to lead our comprehensive campaign along with co-chair Suzie Glazer Burt.”  

“As Mark assumes his new role as chair, I must also extend my deepest gratitude to Peggy Fisher for her steadfast leadership over the last three years,” said Martin. “Her contributions will leave a lasting impact on this great institution for many years to come.” 

Ernst is managing partner of Bellevue Capital and the former executive vice president and chief operating officer at Fiserv, Inc. Prior to joining Fiserv, Ernst served as deputy commissioner at  the Internal Revenue Service. Ernst previously led a transformation of tax and financial services at H&R Block, Inc., where he served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer from 2001 through 2007. 

“Drake is at a pivot point in the midst of changes in the higher education landscape,” said Ernst. “Leading the board at this moment, when Drake alumni and supporters have the opportunity to strengthen our campus through The Ones campaign, is an honor. We have a bold vision for what can be at Drake, and it is up to all of us to help enable that future.” 

A native of Bellevue, Iowa, Ernst earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Drake in 1980, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Ernst and his wife LeighAnn Davis have and continue to support Drake through several important philanthropic efforts, including a $3 million unrestricted gift to The Ones campaign, as well as significant gifts to the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade, Cowles Library renovation, and annual support of the Drake Fund. 

In addition to Ernst’s ascension to board chair, the Drake University Board of Trustees welcomes three new members: 

  • Martha Capps, JO’78, of Eden Prairie, Minn., principal at Capps Marketing
  • Kathleen Fehrman, of Des Moines, Iowa, managing partner of Fehrman Investments, L.L.C. and community advocate 
  • Amy Ohde, BN’98, of Atlanta, executive director of launch support at Chick-fil-A and Drake’s 2013 Young Alumni Achievement award winner 

News & Achievements Archive

Drake University Awards Honorary Degree to Mediacom CEO Rocco B. Commisso

Drake University today announced it has awarded Rocco B. Commisso, the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Mediacom Communications Corporation, an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree.

“While other broadband providers exited Iowa, Mediacom—under Mr. Commisso’s leadership—invested in infrastructure critical to the economic vitality of our state,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mediacom has demonstrated its shared commitment to Drake University’s inspiration statement: to strengthen the communities we serve.”

In 2017, Mediacom made 1-gigabit internet service available to more than 300 communities in Iowa as part of a three-year, $1 billion capital investment plan.  In 2020, Mediacom chose Iowa as the location for the first ever field trial showcasing the multi-gigabit speeds of the cable industry’s new 10G platform. 

“Rocco jumped at the opportunity to make a major investment in Iowa’s telecommunications infrastructure,” said Tom Vilsack, United States Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa governor, in a recommendation letter to the Drake University Honorary Degree Committee. “From the very beginning, Rocco promised to bring Iowans the same or better services as the residents of America’s largest metropolitan areas, and he has done so for over two decades.”

Commisso founded Mediacom in 1995 after serving as an executive for Cablevision Industries until the company’s merger with Time Warner. Since that time, Commisso has grown Mediacom into one of the largest cable television providers in the United States. After a successful initial public offering in 2000, Commisso took Mediacom private in 2011, and he and his family continue to own the company today.

“Home to nearly 1,600 of our dedicated employees and a third of our loyal customer base, Iowa has long been the crown jewel of Mediacom’s 22 state network operations,” said Commisso. “It is a tremendous privilege to receive an honorary degree from Drake, a distinguished university that sits in the heart of Iowa’s capital and whose administration, faculty and graduates have made immeasurable contributions to the state’s economic, educational and cultural advancement.” 

Commisso is a native of Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12. He attended Columbia University on a full undergraduate scholarship where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and an MBA degree from the Graduate Business School. Commisso was co-captain of the soccer team during his time at Columbia. Today, he owns world-renowned ACF Fiorentina which competes in Serie A, the top division of Italian soccer. Commisso is a resident of New Jersey.

The honorary doctorate is the highest honor that the University bestows. Honorary degree recipients are selected by the Honorary Degree Committee and approved by the Faculty Senate and Drake University Board of Trustees.

About Drake University
Drake University is recognized as one of the finest national liberal arts universities. A distinctive and distinguished private university in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and more than 1,800 graduate students. Students choose from more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations and 20 graduate degrees offered through seven colleges and schools. In addition, Drake offers a range of continuing education programs serving working professionals, community members, and area businesses. Drake recognizes the importance of its location in Iowa’s capital city and seeks to connect its teaching and learning to the wealth of cultural, recreational, and business resources it provides. At the same time, it integrates global thinking and intercultural learning into everything it does, preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom provides high-speed data, video and phone services to over 1.5 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business, and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.