Every day, more than 200,000 malicious emails are sent to Drake faculty, staff, and students.

Since July 1, over 18 million malicious emails have sent to Drake.edu email addresses. Most of these have been blocked by our IT security tools, but even the best tools cannot catch every single email.

That’s why ITS works to educate campus about how to detect and avoid being caught by malicious emails that “phish” for personal and campus data.

In celebration of October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) ITS has been sharing tips and tools for keeping yourself safe online and not becoming a cyber-victim.

In November, we’re taking it to the next level:

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, ITS is holding a Phishing Derby, a contest where students, faculty, and staff can take a quiz to learn more about how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites. Each person who takes the quiz will be entered for a chance to win a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Visit its.drake.edu/phish starting Nov. 1 to enter for your chance to win.

The goal of this contest is to empower campus to be able to keep both their personal data and our institutional data secure. Learn more about IT Security at our ITS Security blog.

It takes a campus working together to keep everyone safe.

—Carla Herling, ITS

What: Drake University Science Colloquium Series: Life After Drake featuring Natalie Schmitz, PH’14
When: Oct. 20
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Where: Harvey Ingham, Room 135

About:
When entering Drake University, I dreamed of becoming a pharmacist but could have never predicted where that road would lead me. Drake gave me the tools to explore my career path. I had the opportunity to gain experience in several different settings including community pharmacy, social and administrative research, state legislation, teaching assistant, medication therapy management, the Food and Drug Administration, and drug development research. This ultimately led to my pursing a PhD focusing on the development and approval of treatments for rare pediatric neurological conditions. The experiences and ethics that Drake instilled in me has allowed me to power through obstacles and pursue my passions.

What: Drake University Science Colloquium Series featuring James Cloyd, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota
When: Oct. 21
Time: 12–12:50 p.m.
Where: Harvey Ingham, Room 134

About: James Cloyd will discuss his extensive work in drug therapy for seizure control. Most recently, Cloyd led a team of investigators who developed an intravenous carbamazepine product. Their work resulted in approval of the only intravenous carbamazepine  (CarnexivTM) product by the FDA on Oct. 7. The product is manufactured by Lundbeck. Carbamazepine, one of the most effective drugs in treating seizures, has lacked a parenteral dosage form since being used in the treatment of seizures for over 30 years.

—Sharyn O’Connor Beener, CPHS

Join us for the Halloween Creativity Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 26, for a pumpkin and gourd decorating contest, costume contest (not required), and other Halloween-themed fun. We’ll have snacks and prizes for the best gourd! The festivities start at 4 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 124C. For more info email innovation@drake.edu. This event is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Centers, SJMC, and Cowles Library.

—Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers

Have you ever wanted to sing or be involved in an opera? The Drake Opera Theater announces auditions on Friday, Oct. 21, in Sheslow Auditorium for the upcoming one-act productions of The Old Maid and the Thief by Menotti, and Alice Ryley by Michael Ching. Casting for lead roles and understudies is open to any student on campus.

Sign up for an audition time by Oct. 18 in the Harmon Fine Arts Center ( 2nd floor vocal board). Performance dates are April 7–9, 2017. Rehearsals are every Wednesday, 4–6 p.m., and Friday, 3–5 p.m. Some additional rehearsals are scheduled throughout the semester. Productions are performed with a chamber orchestra directed by Maestro Stefano Vignati. For more information contact the director at ann.cravero@drake.edu.

—Ann Cravero, Department of Music