All posts by Ashton Hockman

Harkin Institute to present on redistricting at the National Press Club

The Harkin Institute is partnering with The Cook Political Report to present a panel discussion, Drawn Out: How Iowa Got Redistricting Right, where experts on the matter will discuss Iowa’s redistricting process, its history, and how it has risen to prominence. The event will take place Sept. 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Cook Political Report National Editor Amy Walter will provide an update on the current state of redistricting across the country. Attendees will also hear from individuals who played integral roles in drawing the state’s district lines and establishing the Iowa model 38 years ago, including Jean Lloyd-Jones, a named plaintiff in the legal challenge and then-president of the Iowa League of Women Voters. To learn more, and to register, visit harkininstitute.drake.edu.

Emily Schettler, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement

Anderson Gallery: Richard Black Retrospective

The Anderson Gallery at Drake is pleased to announce Visual Worlds: “Nothing by Chance,” an exhibition of artwork by Richard Black, professor emeritus of art. The exhibition will run Sept. 7 through Oct. 12 with an opening reception scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.

This retrospective exhibition showing 100 works of art representing over 60 years of image-making, is a record of Black’s lifelong commitment to the visual arts profession. Black is best known for his colorful intaglio prints, but this extensive exhibition will provide an opportunity for audiences to get to know his work in a variety of other print media.

Richard Black has a long and productive history with Drake that began when he received his Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the Department of Art and Design. He returned to teach Printmaking in 1960 and remained at Drake until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure as a Professor of Art, Black founded the Biennial National Print Symposium, and from 1975-1991, he organized these symposia, bringing in artists from the U.S. and abroad to Drake to exhibit and demonstrate print media.

Black’s post-Drake years have been equally productive. He continues to make prints in his studio in Farnhamville, Iowa. He is exploring new mediums such as textile arts and he frequently conducts printmaking workshops as a visiting artist. Black’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally and is found in public collections including the Des Moines Art Center, Bradley University, Indianapolis Art Museum, and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

In recognition of his artistic achievement, Black received the Printmaking Today Award in 2016 and 2011 from the Royal Society of Painters – Printmakers, Blankside Gallery, London, England.

The Anderson Gallery is located within the Harmon Fine Arts Center at 1310 25th St., at the corner of Carpenter and 25th. Free public parking can be found along 25th Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday 12-4 p.m. and Thursday evenings until 8 p.m., and by appointment.

For more information, contact Rob Craig, professor of art, at robert.craig@drake.edu, or Clarissa Snapper, Anderson Gallery coordinator, at 515-271-1994.

Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard

Chances are you are already making some healthy choices: Getting a dental check-up, participating in BUILD classes or wellness programs, sending a Peerceive kudos, or attending a Drake Social. Now you have the opportunity to win some great prizes for those choices. The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is a points-based spreadsheet dedicated to helping you enhance your quality of life in seven areas: physical, emotional, financial, community, social, occupational, and intellectual. Simply check items off on the scorecard as you complete them.  If you reach 100 points between Sept. 3, 2018, and May 31, 2019, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is available to all current Drake full-time and regular part-time employees, regardless of enrollment in the Drake Medical Plan. Download a copy of the scorecard and get started today.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Occupational therapy wellness booth

The Drake University Occupational Therapy (OT) program will be providing wellness educational opportunities for Drake faculty, staff, and students. The booth will run weekly, on Tuesdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main level of Olmsted, starting Sept. 25. Occupational Therapy students will be available to provide education, tips, and strategies to support wellness among the Drake University community.

Faculty and staff who visit the booth four or more weeks will earn Bulldogs United in Learning Drake (BUILD) credits and be entered into a drawing for prizes at the end of the semester.

Wellness Topics
Sept. 25: Backpack Awareness Week — proper lifting and carry techniques/examples
Oct. 2: Nutrition quiz/visual on sugar consumption, health literacy, how to read a nutrition label
Oct. 23: Memory games — information on brain health
Oct. 30: Sleep Hygiene
Nov. 6: Technology Detox-unplug
Nov. 13: Balance Tests/Flexibility
Nov. 27: Work/life balance mindfulness/stress management
Dec. 4: Winter health/handwashing

For more information, contact Rachel Allen-McHugh at rachel.allen-mchugh@drake.edu or Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Final call to apply for mentor program

The deadline for the All Staff Council mentorship program is approaching. Staff members who are interested in being either a mentor or mentee, and faculty who would like to be mentors, are asked to complete an application by Sept. 7. All Staff Council committee members will then make placements and the program will officially kick off in October. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and grow with Drake colleagues.

To learn more and to apply, visit drake.edu/asc/specialinterest.

If you have questions, please reach out to committee chair, Carla Herling at carla.herling@drake.edu or 515-271-2356.

Niki Smith, University Communications & Marketing

Spike’s Kids Club and Silver Dogs Club memberships available to faculty and staff

Spike’s Kids Club
The Spike’s Kids Club presented by Mercy Children’s Hospital and Clinics is open to kids in 12th grade or under. Members receive:

  • Official Spike’s Kids Club membership card
  • Official Spikes’ Kids Club drawstring backpack
  • Free admission to all Drake athletic events, and much more!

This is a $250 value for just $30. Purchase the Spike’s Kids Club membership at draketix.com/spikeskidsclub, or contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Silver Dogs Club
The Silver Dogs Club presented by The Reserve is perfect for Bulldog fans age 50 and above. Membership is just $50 per person and includes the following benefits:

  • Official Silver Dogs Club membership card
  • Drake Athletics/The Reserve exclusive giveaway item
  • Olympic sports pass
  • Two Men’s Basketball single-game tickets
  • Two Women’s Basketball single-game tickets
  • Two football single-game tickets
  • One Drake Relays Friday night session ticket
  • One Women’s Basketball pre-game hospitality

Purchase the Silver Dogs Club membership at draketix.com/silverdogsclub, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

Upcoming Tech Tuesdays: Learn about the IT Service Portal, Blackboard, and Office365

These 50-minute professional development sessions for faculty and staff are designed to provide you with resources to help you use technology more efficiently in your job (and possibly your life). All sessions will include time for Q&A. Some topics are being offered twice. Register for Tech Tuesday sessions.

Making the IT Service Portal Work for You
Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m.

The IT service portal is a place to find answers to frequently asked technology questions and to request help when needed. Find out how easy it is to make and track requests. Whether you’ve used the IT Service Portal or not, we’ll help you understand how to use it more effectively, and how it can make your work life easier. Participants will receive 1 hour of BUILD credit for attending this session.

Enhancing Communication through Blackboard
Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Learn to promote, create, and maintain open communication channels through using a variety of tools in Blackboard. We will focus on learning more about automated notifications from the system as well as other means to communicate and collaborate.

Using Office365 for Educational Information and Collaboration
Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

What is Office365? What tools are included in the suite? How can you use them for student access and collaboration? How can you leverage these tools and bring mobile technologies into your classroom?

Register for these sessions and learn about future sessions by going to drake.edu/its/techtuesdays.

Carla Herling, ITS

You’re invited: Let’s DU Lunch

This year marks the 20th year of Let’s DU Lunch, a professional speaker series sponsored by Drake and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Faculty and staff are invited to attend one or all three of the fall lunch events on Sept. 4, Oct. 2, and Nov. 13. This year’s lineup of speakers includes Dennis Goldford, Jennie Baranczyk, Darian DeVries, and a downtown development panel. For more information, and to register, visit alumni.drake.edu/letsdulunch.

Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations

From the desk of the intern: What’s going on at Drake this month?

Welcome back Bulldogs and welcome to the new members of the pack! Start your school year off right with these great events going on around campus (all for free, of course!).

Aug. 29: Hurts Donuts
Join SAB for free donuts from a classic donut chain in Des Moines on Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop by between your classes to munch on one of your old favorites (Cosmic Brownie anyone?) or try something new (like Maple Bacon or Fruity Pebbles). See their full donut collection here.

Aug. 31: Iowa Cubs Game
Get off campus and enjoy the finest of the American pastimes—a good old-fashioned game of baseball. Meet SAB in the Olmstead parking lot on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. to be bussed to the Iowa Cubs game. They will be playing Round Rock Express from Texas. Tickets and transportation are free to students!

Aug. 31: Outdoor Dodgeball
Would you rather play sports than watch? Campus Fellowship has your back. Bring your A-game to Helmick Commons for outdoor dodgeball on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. You’ll be sure to have a ball.

Ellen Koester, University Communications & Marketing Intern, JO’19, AS’19