FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 21, 2002

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

EXPERT ON SUCCESS IN COLLEGE TO SPEAK AT DRAKE
Next week professor Richard J. Light of Harvard University will be addressing Drake University's entire first-year class on the topic of his award-winning book titled "Making the Most of College."

Light's speech, which is free and open to the public, will be given at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, and again at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 26th Street and University Avenue. A brief reception will be held after each speech in Levitt Hall in Old Main.

Professor Light's visit is part of Drake's Annual First-Year Seminar Program Speaker Series. Light, who has won many teaching awards, is a professor in the Graduate School of Education and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also is director of the Harvard Seminar on Assessment and co-author of "By Design: Planning Research on Higher Education" and "Summing Up: The Science of Reviewing Research."

His most recent book, "Making the Most of College," (Harvard University Press, 2001), is a practical guide to successful college teaching and learning based upon hundreds of in-depth interviews with college students about their experiences both inside and outside the classroom. The book offers concrete advice on choosing classes, talking productively with advisers, improving writing and study skills, maximizing the value of research assignments and connecting learning inside the classroom with the rest of life.

"Making the Most of College" won the Virginia and Warren Stone Prize awarded annually by Harvard University Press for an outstanding book on education and society. Additional information about the book is available at www.ksg.harvard.edu/lightbooks/college.htm.

For more information about Light's appearance at Drake, call (515) 271-3843.