It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Betty Gause, beloved alumna and former Drake staff member of 13 years. Betty began her career at Drake in 1986 as Cashier and Students Accounts Manager. In 1991, she assumed the role of Director of Student Organizations and Programming, and later became the Director of Student Activities, a position she held until she left Drake in 1999.
A 1986 issue of the Times Delphic highlights Betty’s “open-door policy for all.”
It’s hard to put into words how much Betty meant to the students, colleagues, and the entire Drake community. She served as a mentor and advisor to students and staff, and was a long-time champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus. She recognized the need for more Black representation in student government and worked as an adviser to increase diverse voices on the Student Activities Board (SAB) and in Greek life. She later helped head the Coalition of Black Students. She also served as a long-time adviser for the Drake and Des Moines chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
While Betty will be deeply missed by the many students and colleagues who had the privilege of calling her a friend, her legacy and commitment to diversify student programming and leadership at the University will live on and only continue to grow.
Provost Mattison sent the following message to campus Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Due to anticipated blizzard conditions, and dangerously cold air temperatures combined with high winds, Drake Universityoffices will be closed after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, reopening at the conclusion of the winter break on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Only essential staff should report to work. This designation includes employees who are in operations such as public safety, food service, security, power plant, animal care, critical maintenance, and snow and ice removal. Supervisors should communicate with their employees regarding individual schedules.
Dress appropriately if you need to go outside during this time of bitter cold. It is best to wear layers and properly cover all extremities, including hands and face, as frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Thank you to those who work so diligently to keep our campus safe and ensure continued operations.
On Thursday, Dec. 15, The Varsity Cinema will reopen and the big screen will light up with a mix of new and classic films, including Singin’ in the Rain, Decision to Leave, White Noise, Elf, and Lost Cinemas of Des Moines. Tickets for reopening weekend are on sale now.
After the theater closed its doors Dec. 31, 2018, Des Moines Film purchased the building—the last remaining historic theater in Des Moines—and began a massive renovation to bring back the movies and preserve the designated local landmark. The refurbished space includes a second auditorium, expanded lobby, upgraded concessions with a full bar, and a fully accessible building.
Bring family and friends and help us pack the Knapp Wednesday to create a fantastic home-court advantage for our volleyball team. Purchase tickets. Admission is free for Drake students.
The Drake volleyball team has had a historic season. They set a program record with 30 victories this season, including a 16–2 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team was just two points shy of winning the conference tournament, but accepted a bid to the NIVC (the equivalent of the NIT and WNIT in men’s and women’s basketball) and is now sitting at the top of the bracket. The Bulldogs has won 16 of its last 17 matches. What is more, they are 10–0 at home in the Knapp Center and have lost only one of 31 sets played.
On the main floor of Cowles library, about 250 vinyl records cover the shelves and are now part of the library’s circulating materials. Along with LPs for self-checkout, portable record players can be checked out from the information desk. In addition, the library added a listening station fit with a turntable and headphones.
“The record collection provides a new experience and access to materials that students, faculty, and staff normally wouldn’t stumble upon,” said Joanna Stankiewicz, access services manager at Cowles Library. “It was something that was started by the Music Department, and the library embraced it.”
The records collection moving to Cowles Library was a project that was talked about for years. When Stankiewicz arrived at the University about a year ago and was told about the project, she recognized the opportunity that the collection was. Work began in the summer of 2021 to begin the process of organizing and cataloging the collection.
“We found a Drake Alumni Choir record … I think it’s from the 1960s,” said Stankiewicz. “I would have never thought that was something we would find. There are some really fun records like the Mission Impossible soundtrack … a Nina Simone record; there’s Ella Fitzgerald.”
About 4,000 records were kept behind doors at the Dickson Media Resource center, according to James Romain, Music Department chair and professor of saxophone.
“Before there were computers and streaming, all of the media had to be physical,” said Romain. “So, for decades, the department was developing a collection of recordings, prior to the advent of the CD … for maybe about 50 or 60 years.”
The Dickson Media Resource Center was a place where students could listen to vinyl records, CDs, and so forth, housed in the Harmon Fine Arts Center.
With the reality of streaming services, the number of students visiting the Media Resource center has been dwindling through time. Especially now, as the department lacks staffing resources to catalog the materials and run the listening station.
“There is a widespread resurgence in interest in LPs,” said Romain. “I think it was Joanna who decided that this would be a nice opportunity to be able to share it with people who specifically have that interest.”
And listening to a vinyl record provides an experience more closely intended by the artist, Romain said.
“[The artists] chose the order that pieces would be in,” said Romain. “A symphony might last for 45 minutes—it’s a whole, large work that is very much related; the movements have internal relationships to one another.”
That’s not the only benefit of listening to vinyl records.
Aside from being able to digest whole stories within the albums and study the liner notes, it’s a tool that allows one to nurture the soul in trying times.
“Music can be beneficial for mental health,”said Stankiewicz. “If we can provide some quiet and relaxation, and a more holistic approach to serving campus needs, I think that’s great.”
The library is planning to expand the collection to 300 records in the next few weeks. Not to mention, the thousands more that are still waiting to be moved from the media resource center—it’s an ongoing project that’s only going to continue growing.
“We’re also looking to find out what students are interested in, and what they want to listen to,” said Stankiewicz. “Just like we do with our books, our traditional materials, we want to expand that collection and take care of it based on their interests, whether it’s educational or just for leisure.”
The record collection and listening station are located on the west side of the first floor of Cowles Library. The library created step-by-step instructions for using the turntable, since for many people, using a record player is a new experience.
— Written by Sarah Jamil, junior, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Numerous injuries result from slips and falls on icy sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and other outdoor locations. Snow removal and frequent salting of these areas can help. Many times, total elimination of the hazard is impossible, and measures must be taken to cope with this problem.
What precautions can we take to reduce both the frequency and severity of injuries which result from this hazard? Being aware of the danger is very important.
Anticipate falls. Often ice will appear in the morning, in shady spots or where the sun shines during the day and melted snow refreezes at night.
Wear the right shoes. The type of footwear you have on is very important during icy conditions. Footwear should have low heels with soles constructed of a slip-resistant material. We shouldn’t wear footwear that is not able to grip the surface we are walking on.
Be careful when you shift your weight. When stepping off a curb or getting into a car, shifting your weight may cause an imbalance and result in a fall.
Shorten your stride—take shorter steps. You should adjust your stride so that your center of gravity is maintained directly above your feet at all times. Walk with your feet spread further apart laterally than you would under normal conditions.
Plan ahead. While walking on snow or ice on sidewalks or in parking lots, walk consciously. Instead of looking down, look up and see where your feet will move next to anticipate ice or an uneven surface. Occasionally scan from left to right to ensure you are not in the way of vehicles or other hazards. Be careful about what you walk under. Injuries also can result from falling snow/ice as it blows, melts, or breaks away from awnings, buildings, etc.
Use your eyes and ears. While seeing the environment is important, you also want to be sure you can hear approaching traffic and other noises. Avoid listening to music or engaging in conversation that may prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or snow removal equipment.
Walk slowly on steps. When walking down steps, be sure to grip handrails firmly and plant your feet securely on each step.
Avoid taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are a good idea if you are in a hurry, but may be a bad idea if there is snow and ice on the ground. A shortcut path may be treacherous because it is likely to be located where snow and ice removal is not possible.
Try not to track snow into buildings. When you get to your destination, be sure to look at the floor as you enter the building. The floor may be wet with melted snow and ice. Wipe your feet off at the entrance so others won’t slip and fall on melted snow.
Walter H. Warrick, former CBPA professor of 22 years, passed away peacefully at his home in Annapolis, Md., on Tuesday, Nov. 1, after 96 wonderful years filled with boundless curiosity. He was not only a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, but also a professional educator, talented craftsman, historian, and petroleum engineer. He enjoyed many valued friendships along the way.
Born in 1926, he was raised during the Great Depression in South Bend, Indiana. After more than two years at Purdue University, he was drafted into the Army in the midst of WW II. He rose to the rank of sergeant within a year, and was recommended for the Soldier’s Medal for rescuing one of his men from drowning.
After WW II, he completed his Bachelor’s at Purdue, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was hired into Venezuela to embark on a career in the “oil patch.”
During that time, he met his beloved wife. As his family grew, he returned to the U.S. to earn his Master’s and Ph.D. at his alma mater. He moved into academia, receiving recognition for excellence in teaching on the faculty of major universities. He ultimately held an endowed chair in the College of Business & Public Administration at Drake University.
Warrick relished the opportunity to teach undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world at Drake for 22 years. He took great pleasure engaging and enlightening students through his active, Socratic style in the classroom. He was similarly honored and inspired by the interactions he enjoyed with his professional colleagues. He won the University’s 1976–1977 and the College of Business & Public Administration’s 1991–1992 Outstanding Teaching Awards, and he was integrally involved in the original design of the teaching spaces at Aliber Hall.
Retirement and relocation to Annapolis gave him the opportunity to become a skilled Model Shipwright at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum’s Ship Model Shop and excelled in carving figures of sailors during the age of sail. He particularly appreciated the camaraderie of working with fellow craftsmen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn, of nearly 68 years, children Philip (wife Susan), Jane, and Peter, and grandchildren Thomas (wife Alexis), Robert, William, and Josephine. He was proud that they include six Drake graduates over three generations.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the Dr. Walter H. & Mrs. Kathryn A. Warrick Scholarship Fund at Drake University. Checks should be sent to Drake University, 2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life with a visitation on Wednesday, November 16 from 3 to 5 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Also, a Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, November 17 at 10 am at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD. The interment will be private.
A lights display will bring cheer to University Avenue just east of campus all winter long. For the second year, Invest DSM and neighborhood partners will decorate storefronts with an immersive, state-of-the-art lighting system. This year’s installation adds more lights at street level and on new murals in the area and expands lights another block to the west towards campus.
Dogtown Lights begins with a lighting block party on University Avenue, organized by the Des Moines Music Coalition. Local businesses will provide specials for attendees, and there will be live entertainment and warm refreshments.
The lights display will be up and illuminated at sundown every evening now through the end of the winter. Follow @dogtownlights on Instagram to see photos and videos of the display.
Event Details What: Dogtown Lights Lighting and Block Party When: Saturday, Nov. 12
Program: 6:00pm Event begins 6:15pm Official unveiling of this year’s light display 6:25p.m. Remarks Rob Pressman, Platinum Kutz /Dogtown Business Owner Angela Connolly, Polk County Supervisor & Invest DSM Board Member Marta Codina, Wells Fargo 6:40 p.m. Performance from Leradee and the Positives 7:30 p.m. DJ Performance 9:00 p.m. Event ends
Note: In conjunction with the event, University Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets will be closed from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12.
If you are interested in learning more about teaching for Bright College, please join us for an informal Q&A panel session where Megan Brown, Stacy Gnacinski, and Craig Owens will share their lived experiences teaching in the college as well as outline potential opportunities for future instructors. This is a prime opportunity to ask any/all questions you may have about teaching in the college. As these sessions are merely informational, please know that your attendance in no way implies commitment to involvement in the college. Refreshments will be provided.
Thank you in advance for your interest and attendance.
— Stacy Gnacinski and Megan Brown, Associate Deans, John Dee Bright College
Megan Brown, professor of English, and Stacy Gnacisnki, assistant professor of health sciences, have joined the John Dee Bright College staff as associate deans. Their experience as teachers, researchers, and citizens of Bright College and University will help us advance our mission in crucial ways, including recruiting excellent faculty to lead the College’s seminars and attracting future cohorts of amazing students to our program.
Professor Brown is a member of the Bright College founding faculty and has co-led two JDBC courses. She also serves as Drake’s director of writing and as faculty athletics representative. She is the author of two books and many peer-reviewed journal articles.
Professor Gnacinski came to Drake in 2017. In addition to teaching various courses in the health sciences program, she co-taught a Bright College seminar in Spring 2022. She also serves as a mental performance consultant for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia’s ski and snowboard teams.
Beyond their professional accomplishments, Professors Brown and Gnacinski bring optimism, energy, and a deep and shared commitment to the College’s mission: Affordable access to innovative excellence.
