All posts by Heidi Weiss

HR Information Archive

Service recognition celebration

Join Human Resources on Wednesday, May 2, as we honor Drake employees who celebrated 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years of service from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 and those who are retiring or have recently retired.

This year’s event will be part of the Drake faculty/staff social on May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to the Knapp Center.

Take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers.

40-Year Anniversary:
Kathy Jefferson

35-Year Anniversaries:
Andrea Charlow, Claudia Frazer, LaRhee Henderson, Aggie Jones, Joe Lenz, William Lewis

30-Year Anniversaries:
Danny Beaty, Ronald Caudle, Venetta Hammond, Janet McMahill, Elizabeth Robertson, Robert Stensrud, David Wright

25-Year Anniversaries:
Andrew Classen, Laurie Dore, Matthew Dore, Gary Johnson, Nancy Reincke

20-Year Anniversaries:
Matthew Esposito, Michael Fucaloro, Donna Knight-Donovan, Carrie Lewis, Glenn McKnight, Paula Peterson, Scott Raecker, Maria Reyes, Lola Spear, Jolaine Sweiger, Sofia Turnbull, Desi Woods

15-Year Anniversaries:
Shaunarae Bury, Mary Butterwick, Richard Calvert, Anthony Doss, Paul Judd, Robert Lampman, JoBeth Malone-Schoneberg, Jeannie Nielsen, Michael Rothmayer, Heidi Sleister, Heather Stemsrud, Inchul Suh, Keith Summerville, Elisabeth West

10-Year Anniversaries:
Sandra Alvarez-Herrera, Bridget Arrasmith, Heidi J. Ball, Mary Byers, Ronald Cliff, Cassandra Clyde, Brina Coppi, Brad Crowell, Debra Dodge, Darla Eastman, Muir Eaton, Brandy Eganhouse, Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, Jordan Flynn, Rick Fox, Alice Fynaardt, Eduardo Garcia Villada, Sarah Grady, Lisa Grulke, Alison Harms, Renee Hennessy, Pramod Mahajan, Amahia Mallea, Mary McCarthy, James McNab, Christine Miller, Kristine Plagman, Sarah Plum, Kimberly Puetz, Donald Severs, Jennifer Tran-Johnson, Richard White, Gary Williamson

5-Year Anniversaries:
Ann Allen, Heather Armstrong, Lisa Bailey, Jenifer Baugher, Jack Bush, William Cashmore, Leslee Cran, Armando Davila, Diane Eischeid, Megan Franklin, Thomas Ginn, Kristin Glenn, Dianna Gray, Alyssa Harrell, Ryan Harris, Matthew Hayden, Sara Heijerman, Carla Herling, Jerome Hilscher, Terry Janssen, Jeffrey Kappen, Deborah Kent, David Kozlowski, Kevin Lam, Aimee Lane, Diana Lei-Butters, Eric Lindstrom, Darrin McBroom, Wendy Mobley-Bukstein, Alicia Munoz Martinez, Bridget Nixon, Kevin O’Connor, Shannon Odenbach, Tyler Patton, Kelly Read, Judith Russell, James Sacco, Charitie Schaer, Miguel Schor, Stephanie Sinovic, Stephanie Sledge, Austin Strawhacker, Donna Tuttle, Timothy Welty, Beth Wilson

Retirees:
Garry Frank, Thomas Heger, LaRhee Henderson, Aggie Jones, Gloria Lawless, William Lewis, Larry Naylor, Carolyn Nelson, Thomas Pokos, Marla Rigby, M. Christine Schneider, Terry Thorpe, David Wright, Eleanor Zeff

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Help Drake win the Network Choice Award

We need your vote! Drake is a finalist for the Iowa Campus Compact Network Choice Award. The Food for All culturally diverse food drive has been selected as one of three finalists for the Iowa Campus Compact Network Choice Award. The food drive was organized by three student organizations, Alpha Phi Omega (a service fraternity), Alpha Kappa Psi (a business fraternity), and Kappa Alpha Theta (a social sorority), in partnership with several Des Moines community partner organizations including IMPACT Community Action Agency and the Des Moines Area Religious Council.

To vote for the project, visit the Facebook page and like the Food for All picture. Voting will close Monday, April 23, at 12 p.m. The project with the most votes wins.

— Renee Sedlacek, Community Engaged Learning & Service

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

You’re Invited: Sapphire Awards Celebration

You are invited to relax, connect, and celebrate with colleagues at the All-Staff Council Sapphire Awards on Wednesday, May 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Levitt Hall. This annual event honors Called to be True Blue Award recipients from the 2017-2018 academic year, with Sapphire Awards going to top individual and group award winners.

Please join us for refreshments, entertainment, and connection as we come together to honor your hard work and commitment, while giving special recognition to colleagues.

—All-Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

How to make the most of Relays

Are you ready for Relays? The week-long festivities (April 20-28) include so much more than world-class athletic competition on the Blue Oval. Here are a few ways for faculty and staff to make the most of their Relays experience.

Watch a paint fight
Street painting has long served as the unofficial kickoff to the festivities surrounding the Drake Relays. Watch as students take part in the tradition and paint a square on Painted Street. The event starts Friday, April 20, at 4 p.m. Beware, if you want to stay paint free, you may want to observe from a distance.

Attend an adorable (slobbery) beauty pageant
Watch as 40 English bulldogs strut their stuff on the pupwalk (no catwalks here!) at The Knapp Center at noon on Sunday, April 22, during the 39th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The bulldogs will compete for the illustrious cape, crown, and throne, and the honor of being the official bulldog mascot for the 2018 Drake Relays. The contest is free to watch and coo over, and you’ll be able to vote for your favorite pup to take home the Porterhouse People’s Choice Award during the contest.

Lace up your shoes
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to run at the Drake Relays. Hit the pavement during the Road Races or the Grand Blue Mile. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Drake Road Races, which will be held Sunday morning, April 22, and include a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon, with all runners finishing on the Blue Oval. Then, on Tuesday, April 24, compete, jog, trot, or walk in the Grand Blue Mile in downtown Des Moines. The one-mile street run is for runners of all ages and aspirations and starts in front of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park before making its way down Locust and Grand.

Grab lunch from a food truck on Forest Avenue
Drake community members looking to get out of the office and explore Relays over lunch can dine at food trucks parked on Forest Avenue on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 28. Forest Avenue will be closed to traffic between 27th Street and 29th Street from Thursday, April 26, at 2 p.m. to Saturday, April 28, at 5 p.m. The closure will allow Relays vendors, such as food trucks, to set up outside of the stadium and safely interact with the community. No vehicles will be allowed through the area during this time.

The Vault at Capital Square
A must see event, The Vault at Capital Square allows you to get up close and personal with world-class vaulters as they take to the skies inside the atrium at Capital Square on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Alumni Awards Ceremony
The entire campus community (no need to be a Drake grad) is encouraged to attend the Alumni Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate our most distinguished alumni. This year’s award winners demonstrate outstanding professional accomplishments and loyal leadership to Drake and their communities. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to register to attend the ceremony on Thursday, April 26, at 5:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.

Relays Distance Carnival
On Thursday, April 26, distance runners take the track with the 800-meter race beginning at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 7 p.m.—think seven-and-a-half laps with hurdles and water jumps.

Meet up with fellow Bulldogs and former students
Catch up with former students, old friends, classmates, and perhaps Griff during one of the many receptions and tent parties. Be sure to attend the All-Alumni Tent Party, for a won’t-want-to-miss Friday night party. You don’t have to be a Drake alumna/alumnus to attend! Other meet-ups include the Greek Reunion, Young Alumni Brunch, LGBTQ+ Reception, and SJMC Alumni Reception.

Spot an Olympian
Keep your eyes peeled for greatness. The Drake Relays attract some of the world’s best athletes. On Saturday, April 28, catch a glimpse of Andre De Grasse, a three-time Olympic medalist, set to compete in the men’s invitational 100 meters. In 2016, De Grasse won three medals at the Rio Olympics, including bronze in the 100 meters, behind Usain Bolt.

View a full list of 2018 Drake Relays events. Faculty and staff may visit the Drake Athletics Ticket Office and show valid Drake ID to receive a discounted ticket price to track and field events.

— University Communications

Campus Announcements Archive

Vote for your favorite finalist in Cowles bulldog naming contest

Cowles Library received more than 120 submissions in its contest to name its beloved bulldog statue. A selection committee comprised of students, faculty, and staff narrowed the field to five finalists. Vote for your favorite now through Sunday, April 22, at 11:59 p.m. The winning name will be announced live at Cowles Library on Friday, April 27, at 11 a.m. The news will also be shared on the library’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

— Carrie Dunham-LaGree, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Volunteer at the 109th Drake Relays

The 109th Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee is right around the corner and we need you to help make it a success. Register to volunteer and invite your friends and family to join. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt, a free meal (if working over lunch), and free entry to the action. Volunteer opportunities begin Saturday, April 21, and run all week long. We hope to see you on the Blue Oval!

— Shannon Saunders, Athletics

Campus Announcements Archive

Paul Morrison Service Week: April 18-25

Paul Morrison Service Week will be celebrated April 18-25 to honor the legacy of the late Paul Morrison. Stop by the Olmsted Breezeway during the week to pick up some swag and let us know why being involved in the community is important to you. Service projects and community events will be happening all week, including a Drake Neighborhood Spruce-Up and Social at Drake Park on Wednesday, April 25.

Drake Neighborhood Spruce-Up and Social

Hosted by the National Alumni Scholars, LEAD 100 students, and the Drake Neighborhood Association, the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 25 in the Walgreens parking lot on 31st Street and University Avenue. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Students hope to clean-up Greek street, campus, and the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to serve with friends, connect with community members, and create positive local change while preparing for Relays. After the clean-up, participants are invited to a social with neighborhood residents at Drake Park. Everyone planning to attend is encouraged to register. Students who register in advance will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last.

View a full list of events during Paul Morrison Service Week. Many require pre-registration. Thanks to the many groups on campus and in the neighborhood who are collaborating to hold this weeklong celebration.

For questions, contact Layne Burdette at layne.burdette@drake.edu, Amanda Martin at amanda.martin@drake.edu or Christina Teufert at christina.teufert@drake.edu.

— Layne Burdette, Class of 2021, & Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning & Service

Campus Announcements Archive

Library to begin renovation this summer

Cowles Library will undergo a renovation of its main floor this summer. Preparation begins this week, including moving books and shelves. The renovations include updates to the north entrance, a new Information Services desk, new seating and study space throughout the entire floor, and small-group study areas. The main floor will also receive a fresh coat of paint and new flooring, making it more visually appealing and inviting to students, faculty, and staff. Additional details, including a renovation schedule and renderings will be shared soon.

— Leslie Noble, Cowles Library