From the Office of the Provost

Drake Social Club
If you attended the Learning Symposium (see next item), you heard me remark about the strong interest on campus in opportunities to meet and mingle with faculty and staff who are not in our daily circulation. I like to think that one reason the attendance at the Symposium has been so strong is that the event affords us one of the few opportunities we have to connect with each other in ways outside than our normal routines. Indeed, this topic comes up at nearly every gathering of faculty and staff, as President Martin can confirm from his various meetings with campus groups.

So, thanks to a suggestion by John Edwards and an offer by Sandy Hatfield Clubb, I am pleased to invite you to the inaugural “Drake Social Club,” sponsored jointly by the Offices of the Provost and the Chief Financial Officer. The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 4–6 p.m. in Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center. Attendees will receive two complimentary tickets for beer or wine. Water, soda, etc. are also on the house.

There will be no speeches, no presentations, no power points, no need to register or RSVP, no agenda other than casual conversation and better acquaintance. Please feel most welcome, even if you can only come for a short while. Depending upon the response, this is an event we hope to repeat periodically throughout the year.
2015 Learning Symposium Evaluation
Speaking of the Learning Symposium, if you attended, Please take a few minutes to share feedback on the 2015 Learning Symposium using the link below. Your responses will help shape the development of future programs and the identification of potential follow-up needs.
Please follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey
Or copy and paste the URL below into your Internet browser:
http://drake.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_9AJc0ci2Owd9rg1&Q_CHL=email&Preview=Survey

On the Move
In my years as dean of A&S, I began the practice of holding “mobile office hours,” when I would designate an hour or two each week and locate myself in various places around the college. Appointments were not needed—faculty, staff, and students were welcome to show up to talk about whatever happened to be on their minds, even if it was just to say hello. This is a practice I want to continue this year as interim provost. So, if you are looking for me, you will find me this Thursday (Sept. 17) at the Cowles Library Cafe between 10 a.m. and noon. The next date is Friday, Sept. 25, 1–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Cafe. (You’ll notice a common denominator here.) Future dates will be posted here, or feel free to call Cherie Moen (x3751) to ask where the heck I am.

In Memoriam
This summer I relayed the sad news about the passing of Emeritus Professor of History Charles Nelson. I have learned through Solveig Nelson that there will be a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon. It’s to be held at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Ave., in Des Moines.

—Submitted by Joe Lenz, Interim Provost