All posts by Aaron Jaco

Campus Announcements Archive

New website for Drake University Archives & Special Collections

Cowles Library is pleased to announce a new website for the Drake University Archives & Special Collections at https://archives.library.drake.edu. Located on the second floor of the Library, the Archives collects and preserves documents, artifacts, and images related to the history of Drake.

The new website features a search box for the Special Collections; Archives Finding Aids; links to the Drake Digital Collections; as well as the Political Papers Collection, which includes the congressional papers of Sen. Tom Harkin, Rep. Neal Smith, and the Iowa Caucus Collection. The site also provides links to eScholarShare, the scholarly repository for the University, and information about current exhibits and information regarding use of the collections.

University Archives and Special Collections welcomes students, scholars, and members of the general public to view and use the University’s historical primary source documents, including original letters and diaries, photographs, oral histories, and publications. Students are especially welcomed and encouraged to conduct research within these collections. University Archives and Special Collections staff are happy to work with instructors at Drake to incorporate primary source materials into the learning process. Arrangements can be made for classes or tours to be held in the Archives and staff are available to make presentations about the holdings or to work with faculty interested in including archival materials in the curriculum. For more information contact archives@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Marc Davis, Cowles Library

Featured Events Archive

Drake community health screenings

Free Health Screenings!
Where: Drake University Olmsted Center (free parking off of University Avenue)
When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
What: Screenings of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol as well as informational booths and giveaways. Come without eating for 8 hours
Put on by the Operation Diabetes Committee of the Drake student chapter of the American Pharmacist’s Association (APhA).

For Students Archive

Study in Jerusalem

Study at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This top-ranked university co-founded by Albert Einstein is located on historic Mount Scopus and has a secure, campus-based environment.  Hebrew U offers a comprehensive curriculum at its Rothberg International School and extensive coursework in English. Notable alumni include Ariel Sharon and Natalie Portman.

Students interested in pursuing studies like business, journalism, peace and conflict studies, Middle Eastern languages, performing arts, and studio and design should stop by the Olmsted Breezeway today, Nov. 9, between 12:30 and 2 p.m. to talk with staff visiting from Israel.

This program is administered through the Institute For Study Abroad at Butler University, which offers extensive scholarship opportunities and gold-standard safety and security measures.

—Submitted by Jen Hogan, Associate Director, International Programs & Services and Education Abroad

For Staff Archive

Called to be True Blue Award

Frank Pucher, assistant athletics director—development, received the Called to Be True Blue Award from the All-Staff Council for “truly living the Bulldog Way.”

As his nominator said, “Frank is a True Blue Bulldog! He had a great career here at Drake playing football and is truly living the Bulldog Way by adding value to the University on a daily basis. His personality & fund raising energy has helped our athletic department & the University continue to provide an excellent experience for our students! Excellence, integrity & fiscal responsibility all in one!”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate him or her today!

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

Campus Announcements Archive

Mailing for the holidays?

Please prepare early for all your mailing and shipping needs for the holiday season, as this is a busy shopping and shipping season. We encourage everyone on campus to ship early when at all possible. To ensure timely delivery of cards, letters, and packages within the United States by Dec. 25, Drake’s Postal Operations is recommending shipping by the following dates:

  • Dec. 14 for standard post-ground service for less than urgent deliveries and oversize packages
  • Dec. 16 First Class Mail
  • Dec. 21 Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations & Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Nominations open for Global Practitioner in Residence

Nominations are open for the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (PFGCGC) Global Practitioner in Residence. These experienced professionals will engage with the campus and community through teaching, public lectures, and joint research projects while drawing upon their professional networks to help our faculty, students, and the institution as a whole develop new and fruitful external collaborations.

Global Practitioner candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Nominations must be accompanied by appropriate supporting materials, including a nomination letter that addresses the qualification of the candidate and the expected contributions the candidate would make to the life of the University, biographical information about the candidate, a letter of interest from the candidate, and a letter of support from the dean. Nominations should be directed to the vice provost for international programs, who will review nomination packages in consultation with Global/International Programs Academic Council (GIPAC). Upon the vice provost’s recommendation, the University president will send a letter of invitation to successful candidates. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with PFGCGC Director David Skidmore.

Among the criteria to be considered are:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in any field
  • A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
  • An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to bear in relation to relating to Drake faculty, staff, students, and members of the local community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standard

Nominations are due Dec. 1. Additional information is available on the PFGCGC website. 

—Submitted by Drake International

Featured Events Archive

Debate week at Drake!

Drake will host the Democratic National Committee Debate, which will be broadcast live by CBS, on Saturday, Nov. 14. Those faculty, staff, and students who received tickets in the lottery were alerted last week. While not everybody can be in the audience for the debate, there is still plenty of opportunity to get involved in political activities throughout the week.

NPR Presents: Michel Martin: Going There
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Olmsted Center

Together with Iowa Public Radio, NPR Presents kicks off a second season of Michel Martin: Going There events in Des Moines, Iowa, with a look at this much pursued but little understood portion of the electorate. This unique live event, to be held at Drake University’s Olmsted Center on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., blends interviews with a panel discussion between some of Des Moines’ most dynamic young activists, storytelling and live music, with a special performance by the Des Moines-based rock/folk band Canby. Tickets are available here. You can learn more about the event in the Drake Newsroom.

Digital Democracy: The Yahoo Conference on Technology and Politics
Thursday, Nov. 12
Parents Hall, Olmsted Center

The former head of digital strategy for the Obama White House and the president of production for the website “Funny or Die” are among the confirmed participants in “Digital Democracy: The Yahoo Conference on Technology and Politics,” an all-day conference that explores the future of our democratic process and the relationships between citizens and their government. The event will be held in Parents Hall on the upper floor of Olmsted Center. To RSVP and for up-to-date agenda information, visit this link; a limited number of seats will be held specifically for Drake students. You can learn more about the event here.

Face the Nation
Sunday, Nov. 15
Sheslow Auditorium

Face the Nation will be broadcast from Sheslow Auditorium the morning of Nov. 15. While this is a closed taping (no audience), it’s yet another exciting, high-visibility moment for Drake!

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Wind Symphony celebrates Grammy eligibility

The Drake University Wind Symphony CD “Distant Celebrations,” which was released in December 2014, is eligible to be nominated for a Grammy Award in four categories: Album of the Year, Best Engineered Classical Album, Classical Album Producer of the Year, and Best Orchestral Performance.

This is the sixth time a Drake Wind Symphony CD has received Grammy Nomination Eligibility Status.

—Submitted by Robert Meunier, Professor of Percussion/Director of Bands

Campus Announcements Archive, HR Information Archive

Veterans Day at Drake

Wednesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, a time to recognize the men and women who have served the United States through military service.

To commemorate Veterans Day, we invite any Drake employee who served in the military to stop by Human Resources and receive a printed voucher for a free meal at Hubbell Dining Hall. Bring evidence of military service (such as a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, a Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or your Veterans Organization Card. Alternatively, provide a photograph of yourself in your military uniform).

“Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served—not only those who died—have sacrificed and done their duty.”

For the history of Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day), lists of famous veterans, and ideas for showing your support or discussing Veterans Day with your children, visit  www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

“We celebrate this Veterans Day for a very few minutes, a few seconds of silence and then this country’s life goes on. But I think it most appropriate that we recall on this occasion, and on every other moment when we are faced with great responsibilities, the contribution and the sacrifice which so many men and their families have made in order to permit this country to now occupy its present position of responsibility and freedom, and in order to permit us to gather here together.”
Remarks by President John F. Kennedy
Veterans Day National Ceremony
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
November 11, 1961

—Submitted by Laura Schwarz, Human Resources