Drake University's President Is Cooler Than Your University's President

Because Drake's president is a blues guitarist. Also, his father played the trumpet solo in the theme song to The Godfather.

Here's President David Maxwell earning his unofficial degree in suave bluesmanship.

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If it were a real degree, it would complement his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures.

On the sax: Jazz saxophonist Dick Oatts.

Here's Maxwell performing a tribute to his father, Jimmy Maxwell, with members of the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra at Drake University.

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Jimmy Maxwell played trumpet in NBC's "The Tonight Show" band, performed the trumpet solo on "The Godfather" movie theme, toured with Benny Goodman's band, and gigged with a crazy number of big-name jazz artists like Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, Gerry Mulligan, Maynard Ferguson, and Quincy Jones.

Here's President Maxwell channeling Johnny Cash. Track: "Folsom Prison Blues."

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Electric guitar: David Maxwell, president of Drake University.

Acoustic guitar, vocals: Jay Byers, CEO of The Greater Des Moines Partnership.

*Clarification: Neither of these men shot anyone in Reno.

Here Maxwell borrows from the pages of legendary blues musicians during a photo shoot for Drake's magazine.

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Legen...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

...dary.

Bonus: The Godfather theme, featuring Jimmy Maxwell.

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When someone offers you the chance to solo during the theme for a Francis Ford Coppola movie, that's an offer you can't refuse.

In summary, President Maxwell is too cool for school.

(Unless that school is Drake University.)