Learn more about the many new resources and initiatives at Cowles Library during an open house today. The event will be split into two 25-minute sessions (4:05–4:30 p.m. and 4:35–5 p.m.) covering a variety of topics. More information can be found on the Cowles Library blog.
All posts by Aaron Jaco
Fulbright opportunities for students
The Fulbright Scholar Program offers several kinds of grants for students to study, conduct academic research, engage in the creative and performing arts, or teach English in a range of countries after they earn their bachelor’s degree. The most common types of student awards are: 1) Study/research grants, in which graduates design their own projects to conduct abroad; and 2) English Language Teaching Assistant (ETA) programs, which place graduates in classrooms abroad to assist in teaching English while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States.
I seek faculty help in identifying potential applicants and encouraging them to contact me for further information.
Who might be a promising potential Fulbright applicant? Generally, it’s a student …
- With the interests and the personal suitability/temperament to serve as a cultural ambassador representing the United States
- Who is prepared to adapt to living outside the country for up to one year and actively seeking to immerse him or herself in the host country
- With a strong academic or artistic record of achievement and persistence
- Who is actively engaged in the community or their chosen profession
For study/research grants, the student must also:
- Be able to develop a feasible, interesting, and appropriate project for the proposed country, in terms of accessible resources, time, and the student’s academic and linguistic preparation. The project might involve graduate study, research, or the creative and performing arts.
- Demonstrate talent and potential for growth
For the English Teaching Assistant Program, the student must also: - Be able to develop and carry out a variety of learning activities under some supervision
- Possess good facility with English usage and grammar in spoken and written forms, (e.g. clear, precise diction)
- Be able to make presentations on U.S. culture and society
If a promising student comes to mind, please suggest the Fulbright program and encourage him or her to contact me at karen.leroux@drake.edu to learn more about available opportunities. You can also find more information at www.drake.edu/international/postgraduate/
If you have further questions about the Fulbright program for students, please contact me as well.
—Karen Leroux, Associate Professor of History and Coordinator, Post-Graduate Scholarships–Drake International
Save the date for Dogtown After Hours
Dogtown After Hours is the largest student-run event held on campus. On the night of Friday, April 1, the Olmsted Center will be filled with food, entertainment, and fun! This event is FREE for all Drake students, and you don’t want to miss it!
What is going to be at Dogtown After Hours? Go like our Facebook page ‘Dogtown After Hours‘ and follow us on Twitter (@Drake_DTAH) for more updates on the event! We will be releasing this year’s theme via our Facebook and Twitter pages this week, as well as the events that are going to take place. See you all on April 1!
—Emma Haselhuhn
From President Martin: STEM@DRAKE progress
This past Saturday, Drake officially broke ground on Collier-Scripps Hall, the new building that will be home to the School of Education, the department of mathematics and computer science, and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center. The building derives its name from lead donors Jim Collier, who received his Master of Arts in Education from Drake, and Ric Scripps and Debbie Engstrom Scripps, who received their Bachelor of Arts in Teaching degrees from Drake; Debbie is also a former member of the Drake Board of Trustees.
As the first free-standing academic building construction in 20 years, this is certainly a monumental and exciting project. The STEM@DRAKE complex will enable us to offer new academic programs in the sciences, including kinesiology, occupational therapy, and athletic training, bringing in new students and bolstering our efforts to meet the community’s needs in the fields of science, education, technology, and math. It also brings the School of Education on to campus, a move that has long been anticipated and will ensure that our mission of providing an exceptional learning environment for all of our students is being met.
This new complex and the renovations to existing buildings that comprise the STEM@DRAKE project will not just benefit those students, faculty, and staff engaged in the specific departments or programs that will be housed there. This initiative will provide new study and collaboration spaces for students and faculty alike. The Collier-Scripps building will be home to The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, an important part of our continuing commitment to engage in our surrounding community and to advance our values of civility and leadership. The gender neutral bathrooms and nursing and lactation rooms that will be included in both Collier-Scripps and the science connector building represent our priority to provide an inclusive learning and living environment for faculty, staff, and students.
Many members of our campus are hard at work to ensure the STEM@DRAKE project is completed on time and on budget, and I extend my thanks to them. Throughout the process we will have some growing pains, and I appreciate the community’s understanding that some temporary disturbances due to construction are a necessary function of progress. I encourage you to visit www.drake.edu/buildingstem for more details about STEM@DRAKE and for updates on progress. This investment in Drake’s future is one that will benefit the University for years to come, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Marty
27th Street to close March 14
As part of STEM@DRAKE construction, 27th Street will close permanently on March 14. No parking or thru traffic will be allowed; two handicap parking spaces at the south end of the west side of 27th Street will remain open. Sidewalks along 27th Street will also be shut down. For an overview of closures, visit the Building STEM@DRAKE website.
Welcoming new employees
Drake welcomed five new employees in February:
- Mike Lacey, ITS
- Christina Busch, Facility Services
- Mallory Quinn, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Aldijana Hotic, College of Business and Public Administration
- Kayli Burnside, Student Financial Planning
—Human Resources
Join the University Book Club
We are happy to announce the second book of the University Book Club! Cowles Library has 11 copies (hint: ask for the book on reserve at the checkout desk) available of Thirteen Ways of Looking.
The purpose of this book club is simple: Encourage reading for the sake of reading, and increase conversation among faculty, staff, and students across campus through the medium of books.
Details are available here: 13 Ways of Looking—University Book Club
The book is also available in audio format from Audible.com, at various DM-area public libraries, and Amazon (in addition to the Cowles Library copies: http://bit.ly/aubc-spr2016).
So, read the book and let Sara Heijerman (sara.heijerman@drake.edu) know if you have any questions or interest in discussing; the face-to-face discussion session will be March 22 at 4:45 p.m. Happy reading!
—Sara Heijerman, Manager, Campus Card Office
Run in the Grand Blue Mile and Relays Road Races
Don’t wait to reserve your place to run the Grand Blue Mile for FREE with Griff using DUGRIFF16! If a longer distance is your preference, run the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Road Races Half Marathon or 5K using discount code ROADRACEDRAKE for $10 off. Get ready now to run in April!
Nominate a student for a leadership award today
Nominations for outstanding student leaders and organizations are being solicited. The awards will be given at the Adams Leadership Convocation on Friday, April 22.
The awards are:
Top First-Year Students
Top Sophomores
Top Juniors (P1)
Top Seniors (P2)
Outstanding President/Chairperson
Outstanding Residence Hall Leader
Wanda Everage Peer Mentor Award
Drake Service Awards – individuals and student organizations
Outstanding Student Organization
Outstanding Educational Program
Outstanding Social Program
Outstanding Weekend Alcohol Alternative Program
Outstanding Diversity Program
New this year:
Outstanding Student Organization Officer
Outstanding Student Organization Adviser
Outstanding Collaboration
Criteria and nomination forms for the various awards may be found here.
—Meghan Blancas, Director of Student Leadership Programs
Oreon E. Scott Award nominations request
Nominations are being accepted from the University community for the prestigious Oreon E. Scott Award. Given annually since 1949, the Oreon E. Scott Award recipient is considered to be the outstanding senior student at Drake. The Oreon E. Scott Award winner will speak at Commencement.
Scholarship, leadership, service, and involvement are the criteria used by the selection committee. All letters of nomination should discuss in detail the reasons you believe the student, when judged by these criteria, should receive the award. To help in the selection process, please include the student’s résumé with your nomination letter.
The nominated student must receive a baccalaureate degree this spring or summer and have attended Drake for at least four semesters. Pharmacy students with the academic classification of P2 are also eligible for this award.
Visit www.drake.edu/leadershipinstitute/adamsleadershipconvocation/oreonescottaward/ for more information.
Letters of nomination are to be sent to Meghan Blancas, director of student leadership programs, in the Student Life Center by Wednesday, March 30.
—Meghan Blancas