Drake President Stands Up for DEI
...Dr. Marty Martin is our Monday Zoom guest
Dr. Marty Martin, president of Drake University, sent a note to faculty and students this month that clarifies that diversity, equity, and inclusion are here to stay.
Will Drake face retribution? Who knows. Is this a sign of strong leadership? Absolutely.
In a period when spines and backbones seem lacking, Martin didn’t just whisper to his friends his dismay about the belief by some in power that DEI is a negative; he spoke up in a letter, specifically saying why embracing diversity, equitably and inclusively, is an essential element in Drake’s mission of producing effective future leaders.
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." — Simon Sinek.
In an email dated March 3, he wrote:
Good morning, colleagues and students,
A great strength of Drake University is the ever-increasing diversity of the individuals who make up this wonderful place. That diversity is essential to our mission promise to prepare our students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishment, and responsible global citizenship. It creates opportunities for life-changing relationships. It makes our campus more interesting and vibrant. It broadens perspectives and enriches the learning experience. It ultimately makes our University stronger and more resilient.
Moving through life with our fellow human beings must not, thankfully, be a homogenous experience. When we open ourselves up to the wide array of individuals and communities around us, our lives become more grounded, joyful, and fulfilling. We learn that our differences are not weaknesses, they are strengths. We discover that exploring those differences with open minds and hearts, with empathy and love, is one of the most meaningful experiences we can have in life.
Drake University exists to help individuals find their purpose and realize their fullest potential. A Drake education prepares our students to thrive in this interconnected world, and thus, live their best lives for themselves and those they love and serve. It is our responsibility to ensure that the Drake experience is shared with anyone who can turn the opportunity offered here into their reality. It is unimaginable that we would turn away from this obligation.
On Friday, Governor Reynolds signed a bill ending eighteen years of civil rights protection for transgender and nonbinary Iowans. This action is one among many current state and federal efforts that seek to turn our differences into division. Instead of working to find a shared path grounded in respect for the basic human dignity possessed by every person, too many public officials are seeking to marginalize and isolate our colleagues, neighbors, friends, and loved ones. This is a moral failure against which we stand in opposition. It is our duty to respect, support, and affirm anyone in our community targeted by these actions.
I often say that all are welcome here. When I say this, I mean it in the fullest sense of the word, but I have come to appreciate that my intended message might not come through in the way I think it does. So let me be clear – not only are you welcome here, you belong here. It is my fervent desire that every person sees this University as a place that exists for them and in support of their beautiful differences. That everything makes you the wonderful person you are is embraced and celebrated. That when you walk on this campus you feel at home – you find happiness and peace here.
The road ahead is going to present many challenges to the values that define this institution, some of which I have tried to capture in this message. My hope is that we travel this road together grounded in a shared commitment to be there for each other every step of the way. You have my unwavering commitment to remain steadfast in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for all.
Peace,
Marty
Martin Background
Since taking the helm as Drake University’s president in 2015, Marty Martin has guided the institution through transformative milestones, including navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Drake expanded access to higher education with the launch of John Dee Bright College in 2021, a more affordable, two-year degree program designed to serve non-traditional students.
His tenure also saw a historic fundraising achievement. "The Ones: Drake's Campaign for the Brave & Bold" set out in 2021 to raise $225 million over three years. The campaign met and exceeded expectations, bringing in $265 million from more than 13,800 donors—making it the most successful fundraising initiative in Drake’s history.
This transformative investment helped elevate several key initiatives, including the Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy, strengthening civic engagement and discourse, and the Larry and Kathi Zimpleman College of Business, where students develop cutting-edge skills to lead in today’s evolving economy. Under Martin’s leadership, Drake has reinforced its reputation as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to academic excellence, access, and innovation.
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Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
Check out today’s Sunday Roundup of columns from around the state:
Attacks on academic institutions are a common occurrence and integral part of the authoritarian playbook. Drake University has historically been a stalwart beacon of freedom for diversity and inclusion in academia. Over my lifetime they’ve shown a candle loses none of its light by lighting other candles.
Bravo. A rare courageous leader in these times who fits the quote about leadership at the beginning of Julie’s article.