Vivian Sterling

Off the Court

Drake alumni, as Vivian Sterling tells it on the shows. Each story was checked against its source.

• Susan GlaspellPulitzer-winning playwright

  Susan Glaspell enrolled at Drake at twenty-one, darling, then helped found the Provincetown Players, the first modern American theatre company. In 1931 she collected a Pulitzer for her play Alison's House. Now that is an encore.

  Source
• Roxanne Conlinlawyer and former U.S. attorney

  Roxanne Conlin, Drake alumna and lawyer, was the United States attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 1977 to 1981. A Bulldog with a badge, and I adore it.

  Source
• Brian Wansinkfood researcher found to have committed misconduct

  Brian Wansink, Drake master's, 1984, wrote a book called Mindless Eating. Then in 2018 Cornell determined he had committed scientific misconduct, and he resigned. We claim him, darling, but quietly, over by the punch bowl.

  Source
• Harley A. WilhelmManhattan Project uranium scientist

  Drake's Harley Wilhelm, class of 1923, developed a uranium extraction process that helped the Manhattan Project build the first atomic bombs. Rather heavier than bathtub gin, darling.

  Source