DES MOINES — The Ray Center at Drake University has acquired exclusive global rights to the Character Counts and Pursuing Honor with Victory programs.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Character Counts was founded by Michael Josephson in 1992 and focuses on the “Six Pillars of Character” (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship). It is currently the country’s largest character development initiative used in thousands of schools and youth organizations, including the Downey Unified School District.

“As I approach retirement, it was vital for the continued growth and viability of Character Counts and Pursuing Victory with Honor that we identified an organization with the integrity, passion, experience and resources to be steward of our most prominent and impact programs,” Josephson said.

“Our long experience with Drake University and very positive relations with university president Marty Martin and The Ray Center executive director, Scott Raecker, made Drake the natural choice and I am proud and enthused that our important work will continue through Drake University and our preeminent partner, The Ray Center.”

As the new global headquarters of Character Counts, The Ray Center will manage all services, training, licensing, merchandising, and communication for both programs.

Drake University is a mid-sized, private university in Des Moines, Iowa.