The Journey: Drake University president Dr. David Maxwell with Michael Gartner
Principal Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa on August 18, 2011
Dr. David Maxwell, Drake University president
Dr. Maxwell has been at Drake University since May of 1999 and has a lengthy resume, but can be also called a Renaissance man of Russian literature. An excerpt of the interview follows.
Michael Gartner Question: You were a band boy for Benny Goodman touring Russia.
Dr. Maxwell Answer: The equivalent of bat boy. The band was an all star ensemble for the State Department and my father, Jimmy Maxwell played. This was the first American band behind the Iron Curtain. I spent lot of time with Cultural Affairs Officer Terry Catherman, After this, I went to Grinnell College and studied liberal arts to be Terry.
Q: From a recent commensurate speech, there is “much more life ahead than behind. The metric is… I do not measure success by job title or money, but whether it matters.”
A: There are two metrics. Is the university better and do I contribute? As a teacher, letters are heart warming from our influence on students.
Q: If you were working at Principal or Wellmark… how often do you check?
A: It is a daily question.
Q: If the answer is “no…” is it the wrong job? As a teacher, administrator, president or public policy chair … did you say this isn’t what I want to do?
A: Metrics were there for impact with language and scholars. Does your job answer the question? My job provides the opportunity to do so and have a positive impact.
Q: If your job and life are the same, is there balance?
A: We knew coming into Drake it is a life, not a job. I run to escape. It is different than when at Whitman. Maddie and I do things together, it is a team and hard to differentiate. Sandy Hatfield Clubb with Jeff asked “do you have downtime?” I was at work at the football game. I go to lectures, concert recitals, sporting events, and it is fun.
Q: Why Grinnell College?
A: My mom’s brother pointed me to Grinnell. I flew in from the east coast. It was like I drove back into the 1950’s and fell in love.
Q: Why Drake University? How did you two make part of the community?
A: Madeline said, “now I get to finally see heaven… you’ve talked about it for 20 years.” It was freezing cold and wet when we arrived. But there were 850 people committed to change. First, I listened to departments to find out how to help do job better. It took four months to develop program review and people were waiting for change. There were significant budget and morale problems and people could be part of that change.
You have to do something about Drake’s relationship with Des Moines. Get involved personally with the Partnership Executive Committee and I was embraced by committee.
Q: With schools, neighborhoods, politics, how do you navigate?
A: Our VP of Student Affairs is the liaison to neighborhood asking “what do you need from Drake?” “Access” was the answer because the University had a wall around it and was not committed to neighborhood. An advisory committee was established and filled the need. Larry James and family wanted to build their development. Walgreens had given property to help develop the area. Drake West Village was developed with Hubbell.
Q: No on can do anything alone how do you build the best relationship?
A: The neighborhood is important. “A wonderful school in a horrible neighborhood” per a conversation I had. Investment and transformation was important. Business leadership was important (nearly $15,000,000) to make Drake the track and field capital.
It is hard to say more than University in backyard we need to make sure people understand we hand out 472 masters in the University and are one of top 5 via US News College report. We have 73% out of state students, but 61% stay in state. We communicate the importance to the city and state.
Q: How do you keep up?
A: I don’t call myself a Checkov Scholar, it has been 20 years. My advice is learn how to do triage. You can’t do everything and decide. It is a struggle with accomplishment of what you didn’t plan for. My strategy is focused on the five goals of Drake’s strategic plan which are put next to my desk. I do triage based on how to get the University closer to goals.
Q: What about continued formal education?
A: You don’t continue for credentials. With most scholars it is not a choice, because they are following a passion and do better if you learn more.
Q: How much time spent raising money? Father was a jazz man and you have a musical bent. How did you raise money for jazz center.
A: 60-70% of time. I enjoy doing this for Drake and it is easy when making connection with needs and passion. The conversation is about what they care about, including experience and goals. Fred Turner, CEO McDonald’s, and Drake alum flunked out. He grew up around Duke Ellingson and Count Basie. I brought 2 Drake jazz CD’s and one of dad. He gave $1,000,000 to endow a jazz professorship and invited to a Fred party. Now we’re building a $1,500,000 Fred and Patty Turner Jazz Center playing facility. He agreed to do so. It didn’t matter what you gave money for because it was a perfect match. Seeing synergy with donors is really fun.
