All posts by Aaron Jaco

Featured Events Archive

“Waste Not, Want Not: How Food Recovery can end Hunger in the 21st Century

Hear from national speaker Ben Simon on Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m., in Sussman Theater, as he delivers a lecture about food insecurity, food recovery, and innovative solutions to these issues across the nation. Ben has reached incredible success through his entrepreneurial work in the name of fighting hunger. We will have a Q+A and refreshments after the lecture.

The event is free and open to the public and is located in Sussman Theater, in the Olmsted Center.

Ben Simon is co-founder and CEO at Imperfect, America’s leading consumer brand for ugly produce. Imperfect is on a mission to find a home for the six billion pounds per year of produce that is currently wasted because of looks. Previously, Ben founded Food Recovery Network (FRN) in 2011 while he was a student at University of Maryland, College Park. Under Ben’s leadership, FRN became the largest student movement against hunger with chapters at more than 150 colleges. FRN is a national leader in food recovery and accredits Food Recovery Certified, the national certification for businesses donating surplus food to hungry people. Ben is a Forbes “30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur” and winner of a Do Something Award on VH1.

This event is co-sponsored by Next Course – Food Recovery Network at Drake, Drake Environmental Action League, and Drake Agriculture and Environmental Law Association.

—Submitted by Renee Sedlaceck, Interim Director of Community Engagement and Service-Learning                                     

For Students Archive

“Do Less, Achieve More”

The annual Richard & Lila Sussman Fall Leadership Conference will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Olmsted Center. The Sussman Fall Leadership Conference is designed for students who are interested in or are currently involved with leadership on campus and/or in the community.

The conference theme this semester is “Do Less, Achieve More” and the keynote speaker, James Robilotta, will speak on “More Action, Less Title: Empowering Student Leaders To Do More” to encourage intentional and responsible leadership. Attend breakout sessions on professional and personal development, community building, and strategic/organizational leadership. The conference concludes with a complementary meal—this year we’re having breakfast for dinner!

Sign-up to attend the conference by Oct. 19.

The Richard and Lila Sussman Leadership Conference is available to students at no cost thanks to the generosity of Mr. Richard Sussman.

Questions? Contact Meghan Blancas, director for student leadership programs, at meghan.blancas@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Meghan Blancas

For Students Archive

Foreign languages can take you places

From interning at a hospital in Peru to singing in Mandarin in China to aiding immigrants in Des Moines, foreign language at Drake can take you places. Drake’s Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLC) is adding new programs and courses, with more to come. Offerings are available for students at all levels, from absolute beginner to ready-to-be-fluent.

Effective this fall, Drake offers both a Spanish minor and a Latin American Studies Concentration. And if you’re pursuing a health care field, a new course, Spanish for Healthcare Providers (SPAN 196), will be offered in Spring 2016.

Additional courses in Chinese will be available as well. WLC has begun collaborating with Minzu University in Beijing and will receive one instructor each year to offer expanded offerings in the language.

At Drake, you can study American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with Certificates of Competence available in all but ASL. For more information, visit www.drake.edu/wlc/languagestudy.

—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Department Chair, Associate Professor of German

For Students Archive

Take the first step in exploring the world

Did you know you can study abroad in more than 70 countries through Drake, and that you don’t need to speak a foreign language? Study abroad is a great option for any major, the cost is often comparable to a semester at Drake, and, in most cases, you can still graduate on time. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring your options and get your questions answered at the annual Global Opportunities Expo on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2–5 p.m., at Helmick Commons South.

Representatives from Drake’s exchange partners, affiliate program providers, and short-term faculty programs will be available to inform students about study, volunteer, service-learning, intern, and work opportunities abroad. Additionally, faculty and students with international experiences will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Faculty Archive

WLC expands foreign language offerings

Foreign language study at Drake is changing, with even more growth to come. The program is now the Department of World Languages and Cultures, led by Chair Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, associate professor of German.

In addition to the Spanish minor that launched this fall, WLC has revived the Latin American Studies Concentration, which students can also declare this fall. Another offering returning to Drake in Spring 2016 is Spanish for Healthcare Providers (SPAN 165).
Additionally, WLC has launched a collaboration with Minzu University in Beijing to send one instructor each year to Drake, enabling the University expand offerings in Chinese. Currently, Drake offers study at all levels in American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with Certificates of Competence available in all but ASL.

—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Department Chair, Associate Professor of German

For Faculty Archive

Faculty advisers: Attend the Global Opportunities Expo

The annual Global Opportunities Expo will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, 2–5 p.m., on Helmick Commons South.

Drake International sponsors this annual event. Representatives from Drake’s exchange partners, affiliate program providers, and short-term faculty programs will be available to inform students about study, volunteer, service-learning, intern, and work opportunities abroad. Additionally, faculty and students with international experiences will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights.

Advisers are welcome and encouraged to attend this event to explore different models of international experiences including J-Term; May Term; spring break; and summer, semester, and yearlong opportunities for students. As we approach the open period for spring registration, students may be asking advisers questions about international experiences. Attending the Expo is an excellent way to gain an enhanced understanding of the international opportunities available to Drake students.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Faculty Archive

Considering offering a travel seminar during 2017?

Faculty who are thinking about leading a short-term travel seminar during J-Term, May Term, or summer in 2017: It is time to begin planning. By Nov. 1, contact Annique Kiel, director, Drake Administered Programs Abroad. Initial communications may be as brief as the course subject and country you are considering for your travel seminar. You will be supported throughout the planning process, which begins with this first communication.
Send your travel seminar idea to annique.kiel@drake.edu.
Look for additional details in upcoming OnCampus editions.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Staff Archive

Shelley Hurst receives Called to be True Blue Award

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Shelley Hurst, senior student records systems coordinator, received the Called to be True Blue Award from the All Staff Council last week for her positive attitude and for providing excellent service. Shelley’s two nominators said:

“No matter what her deadline pressures, or what is going on in her world, Shelley has always responded promptly with kindness and professionalism. Shelley is a true team player at Drake, both in her role in Student Records, as well as her campus committee work.”

“I don’t work with her often, but when I do she goes out of her way to get me what I need quickly with a top-notch level of service, a high level of expertise, and a cheerful attitude. She has a love and enthusiasm for Drake that doesn’t quit, and a positive, can-do attitude that leaves a big impression on anyone who comes into contact with her.”

Do you know someone who is Called to Be True Blue? Nominate an individual or unit today!

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

HR Information Archive

October policy highlight

Over the summer Drake formed a workgroup headed headed by Jerry Parker, interim dean of students, to review Drake’s existing policy related to sexual misconduct and ensure Drake’s compliance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Clery Act, and other applicable law.

The policy on Sexual and Other Discriminatory Harassment has been replaced with the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct and Notification of Complainant’s Rights and Discriminatory Harassment (Non-Sex Based).

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these important policies.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources