A reminder that intramural basketball registration is due this Thursday, Jan. 26, by 4:30 pm. Register for free on imleagues.com/Drake or create your team with your Rec*IT app!
—Jordan Grindeland, Intramurals and Sport Clubs
All posts by Aaron Jaco
Study abroad in South Africa
Interested in studying abroad this summer in South Africa? Apply today!
- Course: Service-Learning in the Cultural Context of South Africa
- Credit: Earn 3 education credits
- AOI : Global and Cultural Understanding
- Dates: May 13–23, 2017
- Cost: $4,550–$4,600
- Application Deadline: Feb. 3
- Deposit Deadline: Feb. 6, $500 deposit due to secure you place on the program
The application closes soon—apply ASAP! Click here to learn more about the program and to apply.
—Maria Rohach, Drake International
Acting director for global centers named
Executive Director of Global Engagement and International Programs Annique Kiel has appointed Jeffrey Kappen, assistant professor of international business, to serve as acting director of both the Principal Center for Global Citizenship (PCGC) and the Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs for the 2017–2018 academic year. He will also serve as assistant director of both programs during the Spring 2017 semester. During 2017–2018, Kappen will replace Professor David Skidmore, Director of PCGC and the Nelson Institute, during Skidmore’s two-semester sabbatical.
In his capacity as acting director of PCGC, Kappen will oversee the center’s international events series, the global and comparative public health concentration, the Global Ambassador program, the Global Practitioner program, and faculty development funding. He will also assist Executive Director Kiel on other projects related to campus internationalization.
Kappen’s responsibilities for the Nelson Institute encompass funding for Model United Nations, Model European Union, and Model Arab League simulation teams; the Global Pressing Issues Grant program; a student conference travel fund; and an annual conference on global affairs.
Kappen holds a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College in international relations and modern languages, an MBA in international business and marketing from the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in organization studies from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts. His current research projects look at integration efforts among emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS); transnational institutions and networks; and the role of language in multinational firms. Before returning to academia, Kappen spent ten years working with companies from start-ups to the Fortune 100, which included over three years working and studying in Europe and South America. Kappen teaches a course on globalization that is required of all students in CBPA and has been actively involved in various international programs and projects since his arrival at Drake in 2012.
—Denise Ganpat, Drake International
Faculty accomplishments: Jan. 23
Phillip Chen included in Art Center exhibit
The artwork of Phillip Chen, the Elle and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Art and Design, has been included in the Des Moines Art Center’s current exhibition, “Wild Life,” curated by Art Center Director Jeff Fleming. Prints, drawings, and sculpture chosen from the museum’s permanent collection investigate nature and animals, as well as images of humans and human behavior, hybrids, and views of the city or mechanical structures. “Wild Life” will be on view in the John Brady Print Gallery of the Des Moines Art Center from Jan. 13 to April 16.
ASTE meeting in Des Moines
Five hundred teacher educators attended the Association of Science Teacher Education’s annual international meeting in Des Moines Jan. 12-14. The successful event was co-chaired by SOE’s Jerrid Kruse, associate professor of education and chair, teaching and learning department. Learn more here.
Megan Brown authors new book
A new book by Associate Professor of English Megan Brown explores the myriad developments in American autobiography since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Brown, a native New Yorker, draws on years of reading, teaching, and academic research for American Autobiography after 9/11. Read more about Megan and her book in the Drake Newsroom.
This week in Drake Athletics: Jan. 23
Come out and cheer on your Bulldogs!
Men’s Basketball
Drake vs. Northern Iowa
Jan. 28 at 1 p.m.
Knapp Center
*BLUEOUT*—Wear blue to the game, free t-shirts for students
*Greek Day*—Students in Greek Life (social, professional, and academic) are also encouraged to wear letters
Drake Faculty/Staff Days
All Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets to the events listed below. Tickets may be picked up at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.
Women’s Basketball
Drake vs. Illinois State
Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Knapp Center
More information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions.
Questions? Call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.
—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics
Did U Know: ITS
Drake offers many opportunities for new and established faculty and staff. This academic year the University is introducing a series of “Did U Know” classes that will spotlight departments and services across campus.
Our next class in the series will highlight Information Technology Services, or ITS, on Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311. Carla Herling, Jerome Hilscher, James McNab, and Clayton Mitchell will be presenting.
Learn more about the services provided by ITS, how you can get assistance if needed, and where to find out what’s happening in technology on campus.
Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.
The registration form for this class is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Get Up: Stand Up
How much time do you spend sitting at your desk, commuting, and relaxing at home? Excessive sitting is directly related to heart disease, Type II Diabetes, and various cancers. Learn how to get moving throughout the day to boost your physical and emotional health. You will identify health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, learn ways to ‘accidentally’ exercise throughout the day, and set S.M.A.R.T. goals and strategies to increase physical activity.
Join us Feb. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311 for this ‘moving’ presentation! Traci Stumbo from Employee & Family Resources will be presenting.
Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.
The registration form for this class is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Weight Watchers at Work informational session
Now is the time to take care of your most important project–YOU!
Weight Watchers at Work is holding an informational session TODAY, Monday, Jan. 23, at 12:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center Drake Room (upper level). All interested faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.
During this meeting, a Weight Watchers instructor will go over the program and answer questions. If 15 or more employees join that day, Weight Watchers will complete everyone’s registration and collect payments, and meetings will begin the following Monday at 12:30 p.m., with weigh-ins beginning at 12:15 p.m.
The cost is $132.60 for a 12-week renewable series, which is a 15 percent savings. You may pay the full amount up front or split into three payments. Series fees are due at the informational session. You may pay with cash, credit or debit card, or check(s) made out to Weight Watchers.
If you are already a Monthly Pass or Online member, your membership can be transferred by calling 866-204-2885 and telling the operator that you are joining an At Work Meeting Series. You will need to pre-pay for the series and get an eTools voucher prior to calling.
Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. Weight Watchers’ unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace have helped participants lose as much as eight times as much weight as those who try to lose weight on their own. If you are interested in more information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
New chiller being installed this spring
Back in September, Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) prepared a list of future deferred maintenance projects for the campus. I am excited to announce FPM has purchased a new chiller for the east chiller loop of the campus and work will begin Jan. 23. The funding for this project was made possible from a onetime allowance from the Board of Trustees for decreasing the backlog of deferred maintenance on the campus.
The chiller project will begin with demolition of the old chiller and the cooling tower. During February, work will include structural steel install, electrical work, and new piping installs. The new chiller and cooling tower will be delivered on Feb. 28. The cooling tower startup is scheduled for March 22. The chiller start up is scheduled for April 19.
This will cause some issues in the loading dock and small parking lot located at the north end of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. A crane will be used to unload and set the new equipment, and a dumpster will be in same area for construction debris. Please email me with any concerns or issues during the completion of this project: jolene.schmidt@drake.edu
—Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations & Support Services