 Jamie Ferrare |
Former Drake Dean to headline education awards dinner
Former Dean of Drake University’s School of Education Jamie Ferrare will give the keynote address at the school’s annual Alumni Awards and Senior Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 28.
The event, which is open to the public, will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. in Parents Hall in Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave., dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by remarks by School of Education Dean Jan McMahill and Ferrare’s speech at 7 p.m.
Ferrare, president and senior consultant of Academic Search, Inc., and former associate superintendent of the West Des Moines Community Schools, will discuss “Education in the 21st Century: Progress and Promise.”
The evening will also honor three outstanding alumni:
• Hope Bossard, director of curriculum and school improvement for Gilbert Community Schools, as well as an adjunct professor of education at Drake University. A resident of Radcliffe, Iowa, Bossard received her master’s and specialist degrees in education from Drake.
• Mary Gordon, former principal of Greenwood Elementary, Windsor Elementary and Howe Elementary Schools in Des Moines. A resident of Des Moines, Gordon received her bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees in education from Drake.
• Neal Topp, a professor in the teacher education department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he was named the Varner Professor by the University of Nebraska in 2000 and the Nebraska Technology Professor of the Year in 1995. A resident of Omaha, Topp received his bachelor’s of music education and master’s of educational administration from Drake.
The event will also honor members of the school’s undergraduate class of 2008. Each student will be recognized and receive a gift from the college.
Ferrare led numerous searches for university administrators, faculty members and high-profile superintendencies.
“While at Drake University, Ferrare provided leadership to faculty and staff in the School of Education in a time of great transition in education,” McMahill said. “He was an advocate for improved public policy and an expert strategic planner.”
As president of Academic Search, Inc., he directs searches for presidents, vice presidents and deans for both private and public universities and colleges, including church-affiliated schools and independent liberal and fine arts institutions.
Prior to joining Academic Search and Drake University, Ferrare served as associate executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa. He also has taught elementary and middle school.
Tickets are $25, and can be reserved by contacting Tracy Bainter at 515-271-2183 or tracy.bainter@drake.edu. Reservations are requested by Feb. 21.