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DRAVES, Dr. Patricia H. "Pat"

DRAVES, OHEARN, WHITE, ASHENHURST, SELLARS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2018 at 00:19:52

BIOGRAPHY of DR. PATRICIA H. "PAT" DRAVES
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa

Horizons, Graceland University
Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Press Release October 16, 2017; Fall 2017 Issue

Graceland University Installs Dr. Patricia H. Draves as 18th President

Patricia H. Draves, PhD, was inaugurated as Graceland University’s 18th president Friday morning, Oct. 13. The event was the culmination of a week of inaugural celebrations and opened the annual homecoming festivities for members and friends of the Graceland community.

In attendance were members of the Graceland Board of Trustees; the Alumni Board; Graceland faculty, staff and students; the Lamoni community; homecoming visitors; representatives of the Community of Christ, Graceland’s sponsoring church; as well as delegates from 12 Iowa colleges and universities, the Iowa College Foundation and Skillpath, a continuing education division of Graceland University. The Shaw Family Auditorium in Shaw Center on Graceland’s Lamoni campus was standing room only.

Honored by many, President Draves’ sister MaryBeth Holland O’Hearn, Esq, delivered a humorous yet impressed story of Draves’ journey to become Graceland’s 18th president, offering the ways her sister has created her own success. O’Hearn highlighted Draves’ life rules to work hard, have fun, show up early and enjoy curiosity and adventure.

“Pat’s values are eternal values: hardworking, preparation, balance, service, sharing, kindness, family, generosity and love,” said O’Hearn. “My sister – your president – does not just have these values, she lives them. She does them. She performs them. She practices them… every single day.”

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Brian White, spoke of Graceland’s history to create an environment in which people come to be educated as a means to change the world, and offered President Draves an emotional welcome home.

“A wise person once mentioned to me that in the midst of all of this really important work we do, we might as well have some fun, and that person was you,” shared White as he turned to President Draves. He then welcomed her to “The Power of Together” with two breakdowns of the word together: the old English origin of the word, gather, with fellowship and community, and then a simpler version in his final statement, “the word together is just made up of three basic words – to, get, her – and we got you, and you got us, and we are incredibly fortunate.”

The celebration included musical performances by the Graceland Jazz Combo, Associate Professor of Music Jack Ergo, the Graceland Choirs, and the attending guests joined the Graceland Concert Choir in two song fetes.

The service was emotional at times and often filled with laughter, a sentiment to the personability President Draves has brought with her to her presidency, and this sentiment is echoed by other Graceland leaders.

“Dr. Draves brings the experience, energy and spirit needed to lead the university on our continued path of growth and success.” – Harry J. Ashenhurst, PhD, Chair, Board of Trustees

“The search committee did an excellent job of selecting Dr. Draves as Graceland’s next president. Pat brings a unique set of skills that will move Graceland forward.” –John D. Sellars, PhD, President Emeritus

~ ~ ~ ~

Patricia H. Draves, PhD, was inaugurated as Graceland University’s 18th president Friday morning, Oct. 13, 2017. The event was the culmination of a week of inaugural celebrations and opened the annual homecoming festivities for members and friends of the Graceland community.

In attendance were members of the Graceland Board of Trustees; the Alumni Board; Graceland faculty, staff and students; the Lamoni community; homecoming visitors; representatives of the Community of Christ, Graceland’s sponsoring church; as well as delegates from 12 Iowa colleges and universities; the Iowa College Foundation; and Skillpath, a continuing education division of Graceland University. The Shaw Family Auditorium in Shaw Center on Graceland’s Lamoni campus was standing room only.

Honored by many, President Draves’ sister MaryBeth Holland O’Hearn, Esq, delivered a humorous yet impressive story of Draves’ journey to become Graceland’s 18th president, offering the ways her sister has created her own success. O’Hearn highlighted Draves’ life rules to work hard, have fun, show up early and enjoy curiosity and adventure.

“Pat’s values are eternal values: hardworking, preparation, balance, service, sharing, kindness, family, generosity and love,” said O’Hearn. “My sister — your president — does not just have these values, she lives them. She does them. She performs them. She practices them … every single day.”

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Brian White, spoke of Graceland’s history to create an environment in which people come to be educated as a means to change the world, and offered President Draves an emotional welcome home.

“A wise person once mentioned to me that in the midst of all of this really important work we do, we might as well have some fun, and that person was you,” shared White as he turned to President Draves. He then welcomed her to “The Power of Together” with two breakdowns of the word together: the old English origin of the word, gather, with fellowship and community, and then a simpler version in his final statement, “the word together is just made up of three basic words — to, get, her — and we got you, and you got us, and we are incredibly fortunate.”

The service was emotional at times and often filled with laughter, a sentiment to the personality President Draves has brought with her to her presidency, and this sentiment is echoed by other Graceland leaders.

~ ~ ~ ~

Dear Graceland Friends,

Sitting on the stage at the inauguration ceremony and facing a full Shaw Center auditorium was an exciting, challenging and humbling experience. Thank you for the support and encouragement you have extended to Jeff and me with your calls, visits and support of Graceland. I am especially grateful for the many alumni who came to share in the inauguration. I was quite moved and assure you I will do everything in my power to live up to the university’s strong traditions and core values, while meeting the needs of today’s students.

I want to extend a special thank you to the Alumni Board for the collegial and engaged support as I transitioned to the Graceland community. The alumni partnership with the administration, faculty and students helps make a great education possible for current and potential Graceland students.

Thank you again for being a special part of an inspiring inauguration and energetic homecoming weekend. It was great to meet so many of you, and I look forward to seeing more of you next year!

As we look to the future, we will be guided by our strategic direction.

I am thrilled by the opportunity to serve as Graceland's 18th President and keenly aware of the great responsibilities that go with that position.

President Patricia H. Draves, PhD

~ ~ BIOGRAPHY ~ ~

A native of Rhode Island, Dr. Draves earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Mount Holyoke College and a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1991. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Texas at Austin where she began her interest in studying chemotherapy drugs.

In 1993, she joined the faculty at the University of Central Arkansas as an assistant professor where she was later promoted to associate professor and served as the associate dean of undergraduate studies. In 2002, Draves returned to the liberal arts environment when she moved to Monmouth College to begin a new biochemistry program.

Draves joined the University of Mount Union in 2006 as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. Under her leadership the university achieved significant academic transformation and growth.

She led the establishment of the first graduate education programs at Mount Union with the addition of physician assistant studies, physical therapy and educational leadership. Additionally, she promoted and oversaw the development of three academic centers and 14 new undergraduate programs, including mechanical engineering and civil engineering, the implementation of a successful health and medical sciences initiative, and the enhancement of the performing arts.

During her tenure, Draves steered Mount Union to the adoption of a new general education program, a four-credit based undergraduate curriculum and the development of the first online graduate program. Furthermore, she led efforts to increase experiential learning and establish a campuswide scholar day to celebrate students’ research.

Dr. Patricia H. Draves became the 18th president of Graceland University in June 2017. She was drawn to Graceland's strong mission and values, inclusive community and deep commitment to preparing leaders to make positive change in the world.

Draves has been married to her husband, Jeffrey Draves, for 28 years. Dr. Jeff Draves, a physical, computational and environmental chemist, serves as professor of chemistry in Graceland’s Division of Science and Mathematics. They have twin boys, William and Benjamin, who are both university students.

SOURCE:"Horizons", Fall 2013

Photograph courtesy of "Horizons", Graceland University

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2018


 

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