Drake University is delighted to announce the establishment of an endowed fund in support of global experiential learning. The Zimpleman Global Experiential Learning Fund is the result of a generous pledge to distinctlyDrake made by Kathleen, LA’76, and Larry, BN’73, GR’79, Zimpleman.
“We are very grateful to Kathi and Larry Zimpleman for this transformative gift,” says Drake University President David Maxwell. “They have a very powerful commitment to Drake’s mission to graduate engaged global citizens, and a clear vision of the ways in which we can use these resources to create life-changing experiences for our students that fulfill the promise of that mission.”
Providing students with hands-on experiences, or experiential learning opportunities, is a valued aspect of the Drake Curriculum. Equally as important is helping students understand what it means to be a responsible global citizen.
Drake University provides global experiential learning opportunities to immerse students in activities that help them understand a new culture in a stimulating setting. These experiences at businesses, health facilities, schools, and other locations, allow students to engage with communities that are different from their own, helping them to better understand the world and their role in it.
The Zimpleman Global Experiential Learning Fund will enable students from each of the University’s colleges and schools to grow into more thoughtful, global citizens by providing financial assistance to those who might otherwise find it challenging to participate in global immersion experiences.
Kathi serves on the board of directors for the Anawim Housing. She is also a longtime volunteer of the United Way of Central Iowa. Her husband Larry serves as chair of the Drake University Board of Trustees, co-chair of the distinctlyDrake campaign, and chairman, president, and CEO of the Principal Financial Group.
A call for student applications for the Zimpleman Global Experiential Learning Fund was announced at the Global Opportunities Fair on Oct. 10. The first deadline for applications is December 1, 2013.
For more information, contact Christa Olson, vice provost for international programs at 515-271-4150 or christa.olson@drake.edu.