All posts by Aaron Jaco

Campus Announcements Archive

New at Cowles Library: Oxford’s Very Short Introductions

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions are authoritative short books on a wide range of subject areas written by scholars. Each book is around 100 pages long, with a brief bibliography for further reading. There is full-text access online to every book included in the database via Cowles Library. The titles are ideal for students and others to gain a quick but comprehensive overview of a contemporary topic, such as American Immigration, Modern China, Globalization, and even The Meaning of Life.

Find out more on the Cowles Library blog.

—Submitted by Marc Davis, Coordinator, Program Staff Services, Planning & Projects, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

New allergens policy affecting campus

As classes get underway, it is important that the Drake community be aware of a new campus-wide policy: In order to accommodate the needs of individuals with severe allergies that rise to the level of a disability, Drake may at times implement restrictions on allergens, including latex, milk, peanuts, and wheat (a full list of allergens can be found in the policy linked below). Such restrictions could include prohibition of certain food and drink in classrooms, residence halls, or other campus spaces.

At this juncture, no widespread restrictions are in place, so students, faculty, and staff may proceed as usual, unless otherwise notified. In the case that you are asked to abide by certain restrictions, we ask that you do so immediately and respectfully. Creating and maintaining a campus community inclusive of all is vital to ensuring every student, faculty member, and staff member feels welcome and safe at Drake.

You may review the policy in its entirety here. For additional questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Laughlin, Coordinator of Student Disabilities Services, at michelle.laughlin@drake.edu or 271-1835.

—Submitted by Michelle Laughlin

Campus Announcements Archive

Sentwali Bakari says bon voyage—for now

Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari has been granted a leave of absence for the 2015 fall semester to serve as the Dean of Student Life for Semester at Sea—one of the world’s unique and leading study abroad programs. Sentwali will return to Drake as dean of students for the 2016 spring semester.

In Sentwali’s absence, Jerry Parker, associate dean of student life, will serve as the acting dean. Jerry will assume leadership and management for the Division of Student Life and direct supervisory responsibilities for the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, Counseling and Health centers, Residence Life, Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Healthy Relationship Promotion, as well as oversight of student conduct.

Sentwali will lead the Semester at Sea student life team and work collaboratively with faculty, lifelong learners, world leaders, and students from around the world to promote an exceptional comparative global learning experience. This is a tremendous honor for Sentwali and for Drake. We wish Sentwali the very best and look forward to his return to help advance Drake’s mission of preparing our students for responsible global citizenship.

—Submitted by Provost Joe Lenz

Strategic Updates Archive

Harvey Ingham renovation

Our major capital project this summer was the completion of the renovation of Harvey Ingham Hall. It was our goal to have the renovation completed in time for the start of fall semester classes. We came close, but due to delays beyond our control, some classrooms and labs will not be available until the second week of classes. As a consequence, we have relocated those classes to alternate spaces, and we apologize to those affected by the consequent inconvenience and confusion.

We also want to invite you to an open house in Harvey Ingham on Friday, Sept. 4, at 3–4:30 p.m. so you can see all of the changes for yourself.

The scope of work included the reconfiguration of the north side of the second floor to update (and create) teaching and research labs, instrument rooms, and glassware storage; the creation of a small classroom on the first floor; and the complete reconfiguration of the garden level, with a new classroom, laboratory, collaboration space, and conference room, as well as new offices. In addition, restrooms were added to each floor and the stairwells refurbished. Due to the addition of new rooms and the requirements of meeting fire code, every room in Harvey Ingham has been renumbered.

We want to extend gratitude and congratulations to a host of folks across campus who made this project a success. First, I want to thank the faculty and staff in Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy/Health Sciences for their patience and cooperation—due to the extensive renovations, Harvey Ingham was closed for the entire summer, so faculty and classes were relocated to other buildings. Jolene Schmidt and Mark Chambers were masterful in keeping the project and the contractors on schedule (or as close to it as possible), despite delays in securing permits from the City of Des Moines. Brad Toussaint and his Drake Technology Services crew have been heroic, working nights and weekends, installing technology in classrooms, labs, and offices. The Office of Student Records, likewise, have been resourceful, not only in entering the new room numbers into the system but also working with deans Summerville and Chesnut and other college offices to find alternative spaces for every class and lab scheduled in Harvey Ingham.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Harvey Ingham, originally built in 1949, will soon have an entirely remodeled interior, ready for the next 50 years.

—Provost Joe Lenz

For Faculty Archive

Students seeking faculty participation for fundraiser

Dear faculty,

This year is the third annual St. Jude Up ’til Dawn event, an all night team challenge that raises money for the children of St. Jude. Last year we raised more than $31,000, and this year we have set our sights toward an even larger goal of $40,000.

Leading up to our event, we host multiple ramp-up events to encourage students to participate, teach them how to raise money, and educate them about St. Jude and all of the incredible things the organization does day in and day out. This year, we are seeking faculty participation in one of our ramp-up events but would like to gauge interest before getting too in-depth with the planning. We are considering doing either a buzz-off or a golden hair dye (the color representative of childhood cancer) with the faculty member that raises the most money from student donations within a specific time frame.

Our vision for this would be to set a week timeline in which students would donate to a jar in your room. The faculty member that has the most money in his or her jar at the end of the week would then participate in the buzz-off or golden hair dye. We are currently looking to have this event the last week of October. If this is something you would be interested in, please fill out this survey.

Thank you for your time,

Elise Damman and Christine Heath

—Submitted by Jill Batten, Interim Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

News & Achievements Archive

Reception for Mandi McReynolds

Please join me in congratulating Mandi McReynolds, director of community engagement and service-learning, as she begins her new role on Sept. 8 leading global community relations for The Principal Financial Group, a strategic community partner with Drake University. A reception will be held for Mandi in Levitt Hall on Sept. 3 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Over the last four years, Mandi has led Drake to integrate service-learning institutionally across all schools and colleges; achieve the coveted Carnegie Foundation Classification for Community Engagement and Presidential Honor Roll for Community Service; and develop countless community relationships with nonprofits, government agencies, and schools, creating a solid foundation for Drake’s future service-learning and community engagement efforts.

As we take the next 60 days to thoughtfully reflect on moving forward, Renee Sedlacek will serve as interim director of community engagement and service-learning.

—Submitted by Shannon Cofield, Senior Advisor for External Affairs

News & Achievements Archive

Search the City for I Have a Dream Foundation

The I Have a Dream Foundation is hosting a citywide scavenger hunt starting Aug. 31. As part of the inaugural Search the City event, a medallion will be hidden somewhere in Greater Des Moines. Participants will receive clues daily starting Aug. 31, and the lucky hunter that figures out the clues and finds the medallion will win a $10,000 college savings account.

Anyone can register to participate in Search the City by purchasing a $5 button online. Full details on Search the City are also available at www.desmoinesdreams.org

—Submitted by Emily Hamilton, Executive Director, I Have a Dream Foundation

News & Achievements Archive

School of Journalism and Mass Communication news

Broadcast journalist Gwen Ifill, who received an honorary degree from Drake in 2005, returned to campus this week with a crew from PBS’ NewsHour to report on the 2016 Iowa caucuses and presidential campaign. Drake alumnus Travis Daub, JO ’98, creative director of NewsHour, connected with Lee Jolliffe, associate professor of journalism, to arrange for the PBS crew to set up shop in Meredith Hall for two days. Broadcast news grad Mario Rossi, JO’15, helped the crew as they interviewed political experts (including Professor Art Sanders) and presidential candidates (such as Ohio Gov. John Kasich).

Many thanks to the Drake Technology Services folks, especially Bill Jensen, who helped make it possible. (Drake was recognized in the NewsHour credits.)

—Submitted by Kathleen Richardson, Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication