All posts by Ashton Hockman

Featured Events Archive

Zenith Chamber Music Festival Announces 2018 Season

Drake University is pleased to announce the fourth season of the Zenith Chamber Music Festival, August 14–18, 2018. The Zenith Chamber Music Festival is a family-friendly, annual summer concert series that brings world-class musicians to central Iowa. For the last three years, the music festival has been enhancing arts in the community by providing concert-goers a unique cultural experience in some of the most attractive venues Des Moines has to offer.

“We are thrilled to be back for the fourth season of Zenith. We are very excited to be able to offer these free concerts to the community and to showcase Zenith’s internationally-acclaimed artists,” said Artistic Director Ashley Sidon, the Briggs Endowed Professor of Cello at Drake University. “Zenith continues to bring classical music out of the traditional concert halls and into the community for an exceptionally accessible and memorable experience—our fourth year may be our best yet.”

Zenith commands a unique identity as a festival that celebrates highly acclaimed artists who bring fresh and innovative ideas to Des Moines audiences while at the same time showcasing select local artists. The festival also provides a structure for mentoring young artists. This year, young artists will have the opportunity to learn directly from the guest artists at a master class. Each performance will feature highly acclaimed musicians tackling challenging compositions. All performances being free and open to the public.

This year’s free concert series dates, times, and locations:

Tuesday, August 14: Opening night at The Ballroom at the Temple for the Performing Arts (7:30 p.m.)
1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA

Wednesday, August 15: Jasper Winery (6:00 p.m.)
2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, IA

Thursday, August 16: Jazz with special guest Damani Phillips, Johnston Library (6:30 p.m.)
6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA

Friday, August 17: Plymouth United Church (7:30 p.m.)
4126 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA

Saturday, August 18: Drake University, Sheslow Auditorium (7:30 p.m.)
Drake University, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA

Featured musicians include:
Anna Reider, violin, concert mistress of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Helen Hwaya Kim, violin, performs with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Opera Orchestra
Sheldon Person, viola, is assistant principal viola with the Houston Symphony
Paula Kosower, cello, is cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kelly Kuo, pianist and conductor of the Oregon Mozart Players

The Zenith Chamber Music Festival is a non-profit entity of Drake University, supported by grants and donations. In addition to private individual donors, there are new and exciting corporate and foundation sponsorship opportunities for organizations interested in supporting the arts in Central Iowa through innovative programming. More information about the festival is available at http://zenith.wp.drake.edu.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

From the President: Taking Care of our Campus

Originally sent in an email to faculty and staff Aug. 7:

As we near completion of the cleanup and restoration work resulting from the rain event on June 30, I want to extend my appreciation to our colleagues who have worked so hard to get our campus back in shape. Our Facilities Planning & Management team and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, in particular, have been working diligently to restore the spaces that were affected. Repair work relating to the majority of faculty and staff offices and student spaces, including classrooms and residence halls, will be completed and in working order prior to students returning to campus later this month. The lower level of Carnegie Hall, normally home to Student Services and the ITS Support Center, will not be ready prior to classes commencing. Those offices will operate out of Quad Creek and Collier-Scripps Hall, respectively, until repairs are completed.

In addition to managing flood cleanup, our Facilities staff have been moving forward with previously planned construction and renovation projects. These include major projects such as the Boys & Girls Club, Ray Promenade, a new floor and LED lighting in The Knapp Center, improvement in both Cowles and Cartwright Hall, and HVAC updates to the Quads. The Boys & Girls Club continues to take shape as pre-cast walls are scheduled to go up beginning August 20. The promenade is nearly finished, with only final touches such as landscaping and seeding left to be completed. The Knapp Center floor will be ready for play in mid-September. And, upgrades to the ventilation system in the Quads is nearing completion, ensuring these residence halls will be ready for move-in day in a couple of weeks. These projects, among others on campus, are indicative of our continuing improvement and our commitment to all members of our community with a vibrant learning environment.

Once again I want to thank all of our colleagues who have worked so hard this summer to mitigate the flood damage, while at the same time keeping so many major projects on track to completion. For all of us who haven’t been directly involved in this work, please take a few moments when the opportunity presents itself to thank these teammates for being there for us and for our campus!

Best regards,

Marty

Featured Events Archive

National Night Out in the Drake Neighborhood

The Drake Neighborhood is celebrating National Night Out today, Aug. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Drake Park. National Night Out, a campaign designed to strengthen neighborhood and police partnerships, happens every year on the first Tuesday in August.

Law enforcement officers invite you to turn on your porch lights, bring the family, and join neighbors at Drake Park for this annual community-building event. You’ll get to meet Drake neighborhood leaders and public safety officers, not to mention enjoy games, music, fun, and food with Drake neighborhood residents. Police officers will be grilling up burgers and serving lemonade, all for free.

The event is open to the public and brought to you by the Drake Neighborhood Association and sponsors, including Sonic Factory Studios, CopyCat Prints, and Bank Iowa.

Ryan Arnold, Neighborhood and Community Engagement Manager

News & Achievements Archive

Professor Mary McCarthy receives publication in academic journal

Mary McCarthy, associate professor of politics and international relations, wrote the article, “Coalition building and mobilization: Case studies of the comfort women memorials in the United States,” which was recently published in the academic journal Politics, Groups, and Identities.

The article explores how diaspora politics, coalition building, and the gender rights movement have come together to bring about the unexpected: the public memorialization in the United States of “comfort women,” young women from across Asia forced to provide sexual services to the Japanese Imperial Army during the 1930s and 1940s. The analysis builds on the existing literature on the role of diaspora in international and local politics but also adds the important dimension of changing gender norms.

View abstract and full article.

News & Achievements Archive

Dean Renae Chesnut receives two national AACP awards

Renae Chesnut, dean of Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was the recipient of two prestigious awards at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s (AACP) annual meeting July 21—25 in Boston.

Chesnut received the James Robertson, Jr. Leadership Excellence in Student Services Award, and the inaugural Sustained Contribution to Administrative Practice in Pharmacy Education Award.

Both awards recognize Chesnut’s outstanding commitment to pharmacy education. The James Robertson, Jr. Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has demonstrated leadership excellence in student services throughout his or her career. The award honors Chesnut’s commitment and leadership to the development of student services and programming at Drake as well as nationally through efforts that enhances students’ success, professional development, and increases diversity and interest in the pharmacy profession.

The award for sustained contribution to administrative practice in pharmacy education recognizes Chesnut’s work over the past several years in the creation of the Association’s Administrative Services Section, an interdisciplinary forum for pharmacy education faculty and staff in administrative positions.

In a supporting nomination letter, Drake University Provost Sue Mattison praised Chesnut noting that she is “an extraordinary leader of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Dr. Chesnut’s long and dedicated service to students in the College is testament of her commitment to facilitating students’ achievement, and is key to the outstanding success and reputation of the program. She is most worthy of these award recognitions.”

“I am humbled to have received these awards,” shared Chesnut. “I had the opportunity to know and work with James Robertson, Jr., which makes it a great honor to have received the award that continues his legacy of championing student success.”

Chesnut began her academic career at Drake 25 years ago, serving as director of student services, assistant dean, associate dean, and now dean of CPHS. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of several initiatives that have enhanced the College’s reputation. These initiatives include implementing the Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and Master’s in Athletic Training (AT) programs, as well as the pre-professional OTD and AT programs; supporting the creation of joint degree programs, including the PharmD/MPA, PharmD/MBA, and PharmD/JD; and facilitating the work of the DELTA Rx Institute, which promotes entrepreneurial leadership in pharmacy. Chesnut’s service to AACP has included chairing the AACP Student Services Special Interest Group, and the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) Advisory Council.  She has also served as the inaugural chair of both the Association’s Student Affairs Committee, and the Administrative Services Section.

HR Information Archive

Join Weight Watchers at Work program this fall

Drake’s current weekly Weight Watchers at Work series ends Aug. 28, and the program is looking for faculty and staff who may be interested in a new series later this fall.

Meetings are held Tuesdays and include confidential weigh-ins from 12 to 12:15 p.m., followed by a 30-minute class.

Weight Watchers unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many Drake faculty and staff.

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants or $186 for a 17-week series with a minimum of 20 participants. Payment must be made in a lump sum, or it can be split into three payments.

If you are interested in joining the next Weight Watchers at Work series, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Paid parental leave policy effective July 1

Human Resources is pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2018, Paid Parental Leave is available to full-time, benefit eligible Drake University faculty and staff.

Paid Parental Leave provides paid time away for new parents. For the birth parent, the policy is in addition to paid time off under medical or sick leave and vacation policies. For non-birth and adoptive parents, the policy provides paid time off to bond with their new child without having to use accrued leave balances or elect modified duties. This policy works together with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides employees with 12 weeks of job protected leave upon the birth of a child.

During the course of the semester, Human Resources will provide opportunities to highlight the Paid Parental Leave policy and other opportunities that may assist you with creating a healthy work life balance. If you have questions or are expecting, please don’t hesitate to contact Debra Wiley at 271-3741 or via email at debra.wiley@drake.edu  to arrange a time to discuss.

View Paid Parental Leave FAQ

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Welcome new Bulldogs

Please join Human Resources in welcoming 11 new full-time employees to the Bulldog family during the month of July.

Nicholas (Nick) Remmes, Recreation Facility Coordinator, Athletics
Katelyn Sobotka, Assistant Director, Athletic Compliance, Athletics
Leah Groe, Athletic Trainer, Athletics
Maggie Baumert, Assistant Head Volleyball Coach, Athletics
Ryan Arnold, Neighborhood & Community Engagement Manager, Alumni & Development
Gesine Gerhard, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences
Cody Coffin, Public Safety Dispatcher, Public Safety
Lisa Friesth, Admission Counselor, Office of Admission
Veronica McLaughlin, Assistant Director, Admission, Regional, IL, Office of Admission
Suzan Pritchett, Executive Director, DU Legal Clinic & Exp.Prog./Assoc.Prof., Law School
Gillian (Jill) Gremmels, Dean, Cowles Library / Professor, Librarianship, Cowles Library

Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Participants needed for study on lower extremity injuries

Nathan Newman, EdD, ATC, associate professor of athletic training, is conducting a study on the impact of low-level laser therapy on lower extremity injuries. Low-level laser therapy is an experimental treatment that may decrease pain and inflammation in common musculoskeletal injuries. Faculty and staff members that have recently suffered a lower extremity injury, or suffer one in the near future, may contact Nathan Newman at nathan.newman@drake.edu about participating in the study. Compensation will be provided to participants who complete the entire study. This study has been approved by the IRB.

Nathan Newman, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Student Services temporary location

The Student Services Center/ID Card office is temporarily located in Quad Creek, the lower level of Hubbell (next to the C-Store), to allow for flood repair in Carnegie Hall. The department plans to be in this location for most of the fall semester.

Please visit the Student Services Center for assistance with parking passes, ID cards, office/lab keys, student employment paperwork, or any of our other services. Student Services can be reached at studentservices@drake.edu or 515-271-2000.

Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center