Michael Ferrari, who served as president of Drake University from 1985 to 1998, died Friday at the age of 75. Known to his friends and colleagues as Mick, Ferrari was a visionary leader who led Drake into an era of major philanthropy and capital project investment, university officials said in a press release. Funeral arrangements are pending. Among his accomplishments, Ferrari in 1987 launched the Campaign for Drake, a $115 million national fundraising program that was the largest campaign in Drake’s history at that time. The campaign met its goal a year ahead of schedule, with more than $130 million raised by the campaign’s conclusion in 1993. “He didn’t use these words at the time, but he was building the foundation for a real culture of philanthropy at Drake and among our alumni base,” said Associate Director of Alumni and Development Diane Caldbeck. Ferrari also had a knack for innovative marketing strategies that enhanced the learning experience and put Drake on the national map. In the early 1990s he partnered with Apple to launch a Mac-in-the-Room program that guaranteed every student access to a Macintosh computer in his or her residence hall room.