Please join the Human Resources Department in welcoming the following new full-time Drake employees:
Giovanna Brookhart, Head Start
Derma Rivera-Aguirre, Head Start
Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Meghan Settje, Finance & Administration
Tracy Warren, Finance & Administration
Keren Fiorenza, ITS
Kyle Smith, Athletics
Hannah Bildstein, International Center
Ana (Lorena) Sagastume Dahl, Law School
Luis Fernandez-Menchero, Arts & Sciences
Bankers Trust Company and Neighborhood Finance Corporation have partnered with Drake to provide eligible employees access to various mortgage products and services. Additionally, per the program enhancement, Drake can now provide up to $3500 in down payment and/or closing costs for homes purchased adjacent to campus.
To learn more about the benefits available to you, visit the HR website.
Alpha Kappa Psi recruitment
Alpha Kappa Psi is the oldest and largest coeducational professional business fraternity open to all majors, minors, and concentrations. Come check out our events Feb. 8–13: Recruitment Events
Student Activities Board Bingo Night
Come to SAB’s Bingo Night on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. on Pomerantz Stage. Grab some friends and a bingo card for the chance to win some really sweet prizes, including a Fitbit, Drake gear, gift cards, a Beats Pill, and much more. Get there before they’re gone.
I am excited to announce that Interim Dean Renae Chesnut has been appointed Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, effective immediately. I want to extend my deep gratitude to search committee chair Professor Craige Wrenn and the committee of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders who conducted a national search that resulted in Dean Chesnut’s selection.
Renae Chesnut earned all of her degrees—Pharmacy B.S, M.B.A., and Ed.D.—from Drake University. Prior to joining the College of Pharmacy in 1993, she worked at Eli Lilly. She holds the rank of Professor of Pharmacy and has held a variety of administrative positions in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: director of student services, assistant dean of student affairs, and, from 2004 to 2015, associate dean. She was named interim dean last May, following Dean Wendy Duncan’s departure to become vice president and provost at California Health Sciences University. She has been recognized as the CPHS Mentor of the Year twice, received the Don V. Adams Spirit of Drake Award in 2009, and in 2014 was the recipient of the national Vanguard Leadership Award from Lambda Kappa Sigma. She has served three times as an at-large faculty senator, and has been the NCAA faculty athletics representative to the Missouri Valley Conference since 2000, serving as president of the Missouri Valley Conference twice. She is also past president of he Iowa Pharmacy Association.
Thus, she brings to the position of dean rich knowledge of her college and the University, an extensive range of experience, a broad network of contacts with alumni and health professionals, and a near inexhaustible energy for and commitment to innovate and collaborate in order to accelerate and celebrate the success of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Drake University.
—Provost Joe Lenz
Tony Tyler from the Division of Student Life was honored Jan. 26 with the Called to be True Blue Award from All Staff Council. Tony, who is part of the newly reorganized Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement & Leadership, serves as director of student engagement, equity, and inclusion.
In his nomination, a colleague commented:
“A couple weeks ago, we had special visitors to campus. Their visit was very last minute, and Tony was extremely accommodating and welcoming to the group, ensuring their needs were met and that they had a positive first impression of Drake University. Throughout a long day of many last-minute requests, Tony maintained a positive and enthusiastic attitude. I should also note that this was the first time I had met Tony in person, and I was impressed by his interactions with the students we worked with that day. They all knew him and seemed genuinely happy and excited to see him.”
Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!
—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee
What: All-University Career Fair, featuring 134 companies
When: Thursday, Feb. 11
Time: 3–3:30 p.m.: open to seniors
3:30–6 p.m.: open to all students
Where: Olmsted Center
Professional attire required, and bring copies of your résumé.
What is professional attire?
Men: Suit and tie. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers, a button down shirt, tie, or blazer/sport coat.
Women: Suit. If you don’t own a suit, wear dress pants or skirt and a nice blouse or sweater/blazer/dressy jacket.
No jeans or sweatpants.
Download the Guidebook app to review the organizations planning to attend the fair. Visit www.drake.edu/career/careerfair/ for details.
—Submitted by Chrystal Stanley, PCDS/Academic Achievement Coordinator
As I indicated last week, we are making a number of changes to improve our customer service, including renaming our department: We’re now Information Technology Services (ITS). This is a more accurate description of our role in supporting and strengthening Drake’s exceptional learning environment.
You will still work with us in the same way—this is just the next stop in the process of improvement that we began last year. For technical support issues, please continue to call the ITS Support Center/Help Desk at ext. 3001. For classroom emergencies, please call ext. 3002.
Campus technicians will be staying in colleges/schools. Additionally, we are going to cross train technicians to ensure that colleges/schools have adequate coverage, even if their individual technician is out of the office, and we will be expanding service hours soon to provide extended coverage for classroom emergencies.
All of these changes are being implemented without increasing the ITS budget. If you have questions or concerns regarding the realignment, please feel free to contact me at ext. 2345, Assistant CITO, Campus Relations Jerome Hilscher at ext. 2415 or IT Project Manager Keren Fiorenza at ext. 2348.
I remain dedicated to continuing to improve ITS engagement and customer service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to any member of the ITS staff to let us know how we can better serve you and your area.
—Chris Gill, Chief Information Technology Officer
Drake University Wellness is again making massage therapy available to Drake faculty, staff, and students in the Wellness Center. Special Drake rates are offered at $30/30 minutes, $50/60 minutes, $75/90 minutes. Add-ons are also available. Contact massage therapist Anne Boal directly at 515-988-8760 or www.anneboalwellness.com to schedule an appointment. Extended morning and afternoon appointment times are available.
—Submitted by Anne Boal
Purchase your all-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays and take advantage of discounted pricing. All Drake faculty and staff can purchase all-session tickets at the discounted price of $89 each (regular $95). Don’t miss out on any of the action on the blue oval; get your tickets today by calling 515-271-3647 or visiting the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Questions? Please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Tom Florian, Assistant Director of Ticket Sales
Looking for a unique way to celebrate your valentine? Send them a singing valentine with the Drake Choir. In addition to winning brownie points with that special someone, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s 2016 concert tour of Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. No University funds are used for the tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.
Each Singing Valentine is a special delivery. Surprise them at work, at home, at a special dinner … be creative!
We deliver to the entire Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, Windsor Heights, and Urbandale Feb. 12–13, 2–8 p.m.
We will also deliver to Ankeny, Altoona, Waukee, and Norwalk after 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 13.
Three easy ways to order:
All orders must be received by Feb. 6.
—Submitted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Conducting
