Drake University’s Fraternity and Sorority Life commits to providing a collaborative, supportive community that offers students a unique, genuine experience at Drake University.

We challenge our members to embrace individuality, create a sense of belonging, encourage actions based on values, foster inclusivity and diversity, serve with the community, and grow intellectually.

This past week, the FSL community celebrated the successes of the student leaders, chapters, and councils for the 2021 calendar year at their annual FSL Celebration event. Award winners included:

Outstanding New Member Award:

• Thomas Karandjeff of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Stacia Humphery of the Eta Tau chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Outstanding Philanthropy Award

• Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Gamma Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi

Outstanding Drake Spirit Award

• Kyle Tekautz of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Kiley Kahler of the Gamma Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi

Outstanding Community Service Award

• Iowa Delta chapter of Phi Delta Theta
• Theta Eta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated

Outstanding Campus Involvement Award

• Erik Iverson of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Madyson Sklar of the Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Outstanding Programming Award

• Gamma Tau chapter of Theta Chi
• Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Outstanding FSL Leader Award

• Brian Orellána of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Claire Hill of the Gramma Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi

Outstanding Harm and Risk Reduction Program Award

• Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Gamma Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi

Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award

• Dr. James Albert, from the Gamma Tau chapter of Theta Chi

Outstanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Award

• Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Theta Eta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi

Highest Chapter GPA

• Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Outstanding Drake Faculty or Staff Member Award

• Kristin Economos, Director of Student Leadership Programs

Outstanding Brotherhood and Sisterhood Program of the Year Award

• Theta Gamma chapter of Sigma Chi
• Beta Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta

FSL Hall of Fame Award

• Austin Ash of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Ashwin Sinha of the Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Layana Sariah of the Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
• Kandeija Bagurusi of the Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

FSL Chapter of the Year Award

• Iowa Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Gamma Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi

— Rudy Trejo, Assistant Dean of Students

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) announced that Drake has been awarded a $79,110 grant to improve the flow characteristics and water quality of campus runoff as part of campus-wide improvements in sustainability and stormwater management, with an additional $6,000 coming from the City of Des Moines. The grants will be used to build a bioretention and bioremediation system in the area between the agora and Harvey Ingham Hall. This system will capture stormwater running off from Helmick Commons and other parts of central campus. Using berms and native plantings, bioretention and bioremediation cells slow the movement of stormwater, allowing plants and soils to filter the water and remove contaminants. In this way, significantly cleaner stormwater is discharged to local streams at a more constant pace, reducing erosion and flooding problems downstream, while also improving soil moisture near the site during dry times.

This was a student-initiated project, with initial investigation of opportunities done by students in the Drake Environmental Action League, in particular Elly Flemming, who built it into her capstone in Environmental Science and Sustainability. Drake Facilities Planning and Management staff, including Sustainability Coordinator Sophia Seigel and Director Kevin Moran, then worked with students, faculty, the City, and IDALS to organize the application and plan the execution. An important part of the grant will be measuring and analyzing the discharge into the stream just north of the Tennis Center (Ravine Creek) to determine the impact of the improvements.

This work is part of a much larger campus effort to remediate stormwater runoff and improve water quality in Ravine Creek. Other projects have included permeable pavement and equisetum planting on 28^th Street going through campus, the prairie north of Meredith, native plantings as part of the Ray Promenade project, runoff collection built into recent parking lot improvements, rain gardens across campus, and capstone projects this spring and a Restoration Ecology class this fall that will focus on habitat improvements in the forested region through which the creek flows.

— David Courard-Hauri, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy

We are excited to announce that the following individuals and groups have been recognized with an award from Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact:

• Presidents’ Student Leadership Award recognizes an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building, and integration of civic engagement into the college experience.
  • Brian Orellána, ‘24
• Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration, or staff or for a group (e.g., advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic and community engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.
  • Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Presidents’ Community Partner Award recognizes a community-based partner or organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college or university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.
  • Above and Beyond Cancer
• Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers.
  • CJ Younger, ‘23

Nominees will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 4, from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. The event is open to anyone. Register.

Learn more about each awardee. Lists of awardees by award category with images and additional description of each recipient’s accomplishments are available on the Iowa Campus Compact website the week of May 2.

Watch Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact social media (Facebook and Twitter @IAMNCompact) between May 6–19 for spotlights on each of the winners.

Congratulations to these changemakers!

Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact’s mission is to support member colleges and universities as they fulfill the public purpose that is at the heart of higher education. Drake University is a member campus of Iowa Campus Compact.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Three students at Drake University received Fulbright awards for the 2022–2023 academic year.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is an international educational exchange program that offers finalists a federally funded grant and the opportunity to spend a year researching, studying, or teaching abroad.

“We are so proud of our Fulbright finalists who have been chosen from among the country’s top candidates for this prestigious international scholarship,” said Karen Leroux, associate professor of history and the University’s coordinator for post-graduate scholarships. “Drake’s unprecedented number of Fulbright recipients reflects the University’s excellent academic programs and the unique learning experiences it affords to students, globally and locally.” Drake has been recognized as a top institutional producer of Fulbright recipients. The University has produced 46 Fulbright Students since 2000.

This year’s Fulbright finalists from Drake include:

• Emily Kellogg (SoE, Elementary Ed major; Spanish minor), Spain ETA
• Katie Lajoie (A&S, IR & Spanish majors; French minor), Mexico ETA
• Kathlyn Wagner (A&S, IR major; Japanese and East Asian Studies minor), Taiwan ETA

Alternate:

• Ben Schultz (A&S, Philosophy & LPS major; German minor), Belgium ETA

Fulbright recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated service and leadership potential in their fields. According to Leroux, the Fulbright application process is extensive, and many of the candidates began working on their applications nearly a year in advance.

Drake University congratulates all of its Fulbright Students. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Drake Law School once again earned a place on preLaw magazine’s list of “Best Law Schools for Practical Training.” Law schools were graded based on key offerings such as clinics, externships, simulation courses, and moot court participation. The annual rankings were featured in the Spring 2022 issue of the magazine.

“At Drake Law, we like to say that ‘practice makes professional,’” said Drake Law School Dean Jerry Anderson. “Practical training is key to ensuring that Drake Law students are ready to excel after graduation. In addition to an outstanding foundation in legal theory, students gain real-world experience through clinical programs, internships, and clerkships. At graduation, they have the skills and experiences they need to hit the ground running, making them strong candidates for many different employment opportunities.”

Drake Law School provides numerous experiential learning opportunities to students, beginning in their first year with two intra-school moot court competitions and the unique First-Year Trial Practicum. Drake is the only law school in the country where all first-year classes shift to a campus courtroom for a week, enabling students to view an actual state or federal trial. The Trial Practicum dissects every phase of a trial, from jury selection to verdict. Not only do students witness a trial, but they also have opportunities to discuss the proceedings with the presiding judge, lawyers and jurors.

Drake Law’s legal clinics give students the opportunity to build valuable professional experience by working with clients in real-world situations. Clinics include the Children’s Rights Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, General Civil Practice Clinic, Transactional/Entrepreneurial Clinic, Refugee Clinic, and Wrongful Convictions Clinic.

As the only law school in the capital city of Des Moines, Drake Law students have countless opportunities to participate in internships, externships, and clerkships. Students have served as legislative interns, drafted legislation, tried and won felony jury trials, interned for the Iowa Supreme Court, worked for government agencies and nonprofits, and more.

Drake Law students also develop practical skills in interschool competitions at the regional and national levels. The Law School sponsors nine Moot Court, Mock Trial, and skills teams, which annually are among the best in the nation.

“Many law schools like to say they teach students to think like a lawyer,” said Dean Jerry Anderson. “We teach them to be one.”

— Terri Howard, Law School

Drake University Law School announces that The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold has raised $11.8 million against the $20 million Law School goal. Gifts will enhance the Law School’s efforts to produce the next generation of outstanding Drake lawyers.

The Law School is celebrating several leadership gifts that will create new student scholarships, support clinical education, and establish an endowed professorship at the Law School.

“Thank you to the generous donors who have already contributed to the Law School through The Ones campaign,” said Drake Law Dean Jerry Anderson. “These resources are absolutely crucial to our ability to keep student debt down while continuing to offer the highest quality legal education in an ever-changing environment. Alumni support affirms the excellence of a Drake Law education.”

Leadership gifts to the Drake Law campaign so far include the following:

Sheldon (LW’75) and Terry Fleck (PH’74) have contributed $1 million to create the Sheldon T. and Terry K. Fleck Endowed Law Scholarship. The Fleck Scholar Program provides one renewable, full-tuition merit-based scholarship plus an annual stipend for an entering student each year. The Flecks have provided for two scholarships to be awarded in the inaugural year. In addition to the endowment, the Flecks intend to make annual contributions to fully fund this generous scholar program.

Karen Shaff, LW’79, and Steven Jayne, LW’78, have pledged $1 million to endow the Drake Law School Refugee Clinic. Through the Refugee Clinic, second- and third-year Drake Law students develop important lawyering skills while providing free legal services to individuals who are applying for asylum in the United States and other forms of humanitarian relief. Karen and Steve have previously endowed a scholarship fund at Drake Law.

Hon. Mark Wernick (LW’75) and Nancy Entwistle have made an estate gift commitment to endow the Law Opportunity scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to support students from underrepresented backgrounds.

A lead gift from McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC, has established an endowed faculty position, the Edmund J. Sease Faculty Research Scholar. This position will honor the contributions of Ed Sease, LA’64, LW’67, to the Law School’s Intellectual Property program. Mr. Sease practiced law for more than five decades with McKee, Voorhees & Sease, becoming one of the nation’s premier intellectual property attorneys. He has also served as a long-time adjunct professor at Drake Law School, and was instrumental in creating the Intellectual Property Law curriculum.

— Terri Howard, Law School

Drake University Law School is proud to announce this year’s alumni award honorees. David M. Erickson, LW’79, is Alumnus of the Year; Ann Naffier, LW’11, is Recent Alumna of the Year; and Nan Horvat, LW’81, receives the Alumni Distinguished Public Service Award. We will honor award winners at the 85^th annual Supreme Court Celebration Banquet on Saturday, April 2, 2022. 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.

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

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

 David M. Erickson is a senior shareholder with Dentons Davis Brown in Des Moines. David handles all areas of real estate law and represents individuals, business entities and lenders in real estate transactions. He also has an extensive debtor/creditor practice. David is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Attorneys and American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

David served as a part-time magistrate judge in Polk County from 2009 to 2021. He served on several state and local boards, and as president of the nonprofit “Mentor Iowa,” which pairs adults with children in the juvenile justice system. In 2014, he received the Tidrick Honors Award for his commitment to the youth of Polk County.

David has been an active member of The Iowa State Bar Association, including as a member of the Title Standards Committee and the Real Estate Council. He serves as a member of the Grievance Committee of the Iowa Supreme Court District 5C, and previously served on the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board.

David received his BA from Drake University in 1974 and his JD from Drake Law in 1979. He is a member of the Law School Board of Counselors, and has taught at the Law School as an adjunct professor. David has served as the program director and speaker for the annual Drake Law School Real Estate Transaction Seminar for the past 35 years.

RECENT ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

The Recent Alumni 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.

Ann Naffier, LW’11, serves as the Managing Attorney and Co-Legal Director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ). Iowa MMJ is a state-wide non-profit legal service and advocacy organization that provides free or low-cost immigration legal counsel and representation to low-income immigrants and their families in Iowa. It also advocates for the immigrant community in Iowa and for fair immigration laws and policies.

​​Ann was an attorney and Legal Director of Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors (Iowa JFON) for 7 years before JFON became a part of Iowa MMJ.  Before JFON, Ann was in private practice at the Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines, also practicing immigration law.

Ann graduated from Drake University Law School with highest honors in 2011.  Prior to law school, Ann practiced immigration law as a Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative for almost 12 years with the American Friends Service Committee, a non-profit organization, in Des Moines. Before coming to Iowa, Ann lived in El Paso and Austin, Texas for 3 years, working with Central American refugees on the U.S.-Mexican border.

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.

Nan Horvat, LW’81, has dedicated her 40-year legal career to service with Polk County Attorney’s Office where she currently serves as Bureau Chief of the Major Offense. In that role, she prosecutes felonies including homicides, sexual assaults, and crimes against children.

Nan is a member of the Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations and the Iowa College of Trial Lawyers. She is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and currently serves on the ACTL Task Force on Advocacy in the 21st Century.

Nan received her JD from Drake Law School in 1981. She is a past-president of the Law School Board of Counselors, and served on the board from 1997-2003.

Throughout her career, Nan has hired and mentored Drake Law students through Polk County Attorney internships.

— Terri Howard, Law School

More than eight in 10 (80.4%) Drake University students voted in the 2020 General Election, according to a national study published by Tufts University. Drake student turnout exceeded the national average of 66%.

Drake student voter turnout increased almost 10% from the 2016 General Election, when 71.1% of Drake students voted. Drake also saw an increase in voter registration rates (from 88% in 2016 to 91.6% in 2020) and the voting rate of registered students (from 80.8% in 2016 to 87.7% in 2020).

Drake was just one of two participating schools to receive a Platinum Seal, meaning achievement of voting rate between 80–90%. Drake’s full report can be found here. 

Read the official press release. 

Learn more about voting and civic engagement efforts with the Office of Community Engaged Learning.

The Office of Community Engaged Learning is a department within the Academic Excellence & Student Success unit.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Congratulations to our CBPA BUS-120 (Communication Leadership for Virtual Teams) student teams who participated in the University of Southern California-Marshall School of Business, Virtual Business Professional Project.

CBPA student Zack Gray and his team were selected as 3^rd place winners by our Google sponsor. Additionally, CBPA student Zach Drummond and his team were also selected to be one of the top three teams reviewed by our SpaceX sponsor. Additional CBPA students participating in this project were Sophia Dehl, Chaz Hancock, Hunter James, Mike Lopez, and Jacob Richard.

VBP project coordinators placed each of our CBPA students on a virtual, globally-distributed team comprised of 4–5 other students selected from 28 countries. In all, 85 teams participated in the VBP project’s consulting challenge—to analyze the social media branding of one of three corporate sponsors—Google, Netflix, and SpaceX. In recognition of their hard work, students who completed the project received a digital badge that may be shared on their favorite social media feeds.

— Lynn McCool, College of Business & Public Administration