Recipients of the 2012 Madelyn Levitt Mentor and Teacher of the Year awards were recognized at the Drake University commencement ceremonies on May 13. Linda Krypel, professor of pharmacy practice, received the Mentor of the Year award, and Patrick Heaston, Aliber Distinguished Professor of Accounting, received the Teacher of the Year award.
Linda Krypel
After 24 years of teaching in the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Krypel retired this May.
“I’m very honored and humbled,” Krypel says. “It’s rewarding to know that I’ve made a difference. When students that I have mentored encourage leadership in others, it’s a great feeling.”
She academically advised more than 800 students, taught 14 different courses, and served as faculty advisor to several pharmacy student organizations. When mentoring students she always encourages leadership.
One of the Krypel’s nominators says, “There’s not enough gratitude to express the mentoring that this professor has given to me. Drake University has been lucky to have the gift of Linda Krypel among its ranks and I consider myself incredibly lucky to know her as well.”
Patrick Heaston
Heaston has been a professor at Drake for almost 30 years. He has received numerous awards for his teaching, including multiple Outstanding Teacher awards from the College of Business and Public Administration. During his time at Drake, Heaston served as director of the School of Accounting and associate dean of the College of Business and Public Administration.
“Receiving the award is a wonderful and humbling experience,” Heaston says. “The greatest privilege of an academic career is the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.”
According to a student nominator, “Professor Heaston is a very demanding instructor and he establishes a strenuous learning environment. However, those that embrace his techniques gain knowledge and skills that will aid them throughout the rest of their careers.”
Madelyn Levitt, who served as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees before she passed away in 2007, committed herself to Drake through ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement. In her honor, the awards were created and are the highest honors Drake faculty and staff can receive. Recipients of the awards demonstrate commitment to student success either through a mentorship or professor role.
To learn more about the Madelyn Levitt Mentor and Teacher of the Year awards visit https://wwww.drake.edu/academics/honors/.