All posts by Ashton Hockman

Campus Announcements Archive

Adult Literacy Center moving to DMACC

After decades of service and sponsorship by Drake, the Adult Literacy Center is moving off of Drake’s campus to DMACC’s Urban Campus, located a few blocks off University Avenue.

The Adult Literacy Center improves the quality of adults’ lives by helping them learn to read, write, and comprehend. And, it is the only program of its kind in the Des Moines area. The move will put the Center in a location where students can easily transition into a GED program, receive English language tutoring, or other career preparation services offered by DMACC.

I am very pleased to announce that Anne Murr is returning from retirement to guide the DMACC project. In addition, the current coordinator Vickie Merrifield will manage the program just as she is now with no interruption of service to students. Any funds remaining in the Drake Adult Literacy account will be shifted to DMACC allowing them the resources they need to get everything up and running smoothly.

The Adult Literacy Center provides services to over 100 adults each year. The Center is staffed by volunteers from Drake and the Des Moines community. I sincerely appreciate the many faculty and staff who have volunteered or otherwise supported the center over the years. I hope you will continue your support, which improves the lives of hundreds of deserving adults. Here’s to many more years of service!

For questions, contact Vickie Merrifield, ALCA literacy trainer, at 515-248-7517 or vlmerrifield@dmacc.edu .

—Jan McMahill, Dean, School of Education

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Habitat for Humanity service project

Drake staff are invited to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity’s Rock the Block event on Friday, Oct. 5, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Gather a few colleagues from within or outside of your department and spend the morning completing home repair and weatherization projects that will benefit residents in a local Des Moines neighborhood.

Full-time Drake staff receive eight hours of community service leave each year. This is a great opportunity to use some of those hours, with your supervisor’s approval. No prior skills or experience is needed. Training will be provided. Register no later than Wednesday, Sept. 26.

For questions, contact Amanda Martin at amanda.martin@drake.edu.

Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

For Students Archive

Group piano class for non-music majors

The Drake University Community School of Music is excited to introduce a group piano class for non-music majors. The class meets every Wednesday from 12-1 p.m. for eight weeks starting Oct. 1. The cost is $200. There are only 10 spots available, so if you are interested, register soon by contacting Cynthia Giunta, director of the Drake University Community School of Music, at cynthia.giunta@drake.edu or 515-271-2832. The class is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy learning how to play the piano.

Cynthia Giunta, Music

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Shop at the new online store

The campus bookstore now has an even bigger and better online store for Drake merchandise:  shop.drake.edu. You’ll find the largest selection of Drake apparel & merchandise at great prices with brands such as Adidas, Columbia and Under Armour. For a limited time, any orders over $35 come with a free T-shirt.

Don’t forget your employee discount! To see discounted pricing, click on the “Employee Personal Orders” menu link at the top. Your initial password is your first initial and last name (no spaces) and orders need to be placed while on Drake’s campus network.

Check it out and Go Bulldogs!

 

Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Students Archive

Meal block conversions

Students who have the 195 or 335 block meal plan are now able to complete meal plan conversions online in the Housing and Meal Plan selection portal. Students may convert up to 100 meals per semester. One board meal equates to $4 flex dollars.

There are two designated sessions per semester in which students may choose to convert meals to flex dollars. The fall meal plan conversion sessions are:
Sept. 17—28
Oct. 22—26

Join us for Stone Steakhouse Swipe+ on Thursday, Sept. 20, in Hubbell Dining Hall from 5—7:30 p.m. or while supplies last. Enjoy a juicy steak cooked to order for dinner.

Jen Bowersox, Drake University Dining

Campus Announcements Archive

Purchase all office supplies through Office Depot/Max

Drake has exclusively contracted with Office Depot/Max for the purchase of all office supplies. They provide next day desktop delivery, unless an item is on backorder. This is the same contract that the Iowa Regent Universities are using so we have discounted pricing due to our consortium volume. Please refrain from using other vendors, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Staples, for office supplies. As one of the largest office supply companies in the U.S.,Office Depot/Max can typically find the item you need at the lowest price. If you find that an item is higher with Office Depot, you can contact Bryan Bellis at bryan.bellis@officedepot.com and he will work with you to find an equivalent item or work with you on bulk pricing if needed.

Please contact Caron Findlay at caron.findlay@drake.edu if you have any questions.

Caron Findlay, Purchasing & Business Services

For Students Archive

Japanese Language Club and conversation hours

Students, have you considered learning a few words and phrases in Japanese? Are you planning one day to apply for a Fulbright or the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program? Do you want or need to keep up your foreign language fluency? Drake’s Department of World Languages and Cultures wants to help.

The Japanese Language Club meets every Friday from 3—5 p.m. in Room TMR 133, located in the lower level of Olmsted. Language learning takes place during the first hour, and in the second hour, the Club will offer activities such as origami, calligraphy, or Japanese cooking. All students are welcome to join in for conversation and activities directed by a native speaker.

For further information, contact Associate Professor Chinatsu Bachmann at chinatsu.sazawa@Drake.edu.

Dorothy Pisarski, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

For Students Archive

Drake semester abroad focus groups

Drake International is hosting focus groups to gather information on what students would like in a Drake semester abroad program. All students are invited to attend and share their thoughts. The focus groups will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Library, Room 201 (the Fish Bowl). There will be three one-hour sessions: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2:15 to 3:15 p.m., and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Karen Williams, Education Abroad Advisor