Join Scott Law, director of Public Safety, to learn what you would do as a member of the Drake community in the event of an active shooter. The presentation will be held Tuesday, March 27, at 6 p.m. in Sussman Theater, and on Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 106.
—Tyler Voss
Rebecca Moore, emerita professor of religious studies at San Diego State University, will discuss “The Truth About Jonestown, and Other Fictions” as part of the Hawley Foundation Lecture Series on April 5 at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater.
The mass murder-suicides that occurred in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978, have generated multiple reports, explanations, and theories about what led members of Peoples Temple to their tragic demise. From alternative histories to sensationalistic documentaries, depictions of the forty-year old tragedy continue to fascinate the American public. Moore examines these competing narratives in order to understand the ways in which stories about Jonestown say more about us than about those who died. This is especially clear when we consider voices that have been erased from popular media accounts: those of women, African Americans, and citizens of Guyana. Learning about the past and the various interpretations of Peoples Temple and Jonestown illuminates the ways in which we engage with new religious movements in the present.
Moore has a specialization in American religions with a focus on new religious movements. She co-edited Peoples Temple and Black Religion in America (Indiana 2004) and authored Understanding Jonestown and Peoples Temple (Praeger 2009; paperback forthcoming 2018). She co-manages the website Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple. Her most recent book is Beyond Brainwashing: Perspectives on Cultic Violence (Cambridge University Press, 2018).
—Charlene Skidmore, Honors Program
Attend Dogtown After Hours in the Olmsted Center on Friday, March 30, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dogtown After Hours is a large-scale, collaborative, student-led event that aims to bring campus together in an alcohol-free environment. There will be free food and games, prize giveaways, student performances, and more. Everything at the event is entirely free. Last year there were over 1,000 attendees.
— Lindsay Fiegle
The Comparison Project is hosting its next lecture on miracles Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center. The lecture, “Fear, Loathing, and Miracles among the Cowherders: Krishna’s Childhood Prodigies,” will be presented by Richard H. Davis, professor of religion and Asian studies at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Formerly he taught as assistant and associate professor at Yale University.
— Monique Rodriguez, College of Arts and Sciences
Join The Harkin Institute on Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m. to hear a panel of national security experts discuss how to keep America safe from the top global security threats of the day.
The discussion will address existing global security threats to the United States, both at home and abroad, and what is being done to keep the country safe.
The Sussman Lecture Series is dedicated to the study of issues that define our public life and to engaging students and citizens in constructive dialogue regarding these issues.
Established by Richard Sussman, AS’51, in memory of his late wife Lila, the Sussman Lecture Series takes place twice a year and invites notable public figures to discuss topical current events.
Tickets are required and seating is limited. Register now.
— Emily Schettler, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
Two SJMC seniors have been nominated for Emmy awards in the Upper Midwest Regional Student Television Awards of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Sam Fathallah was nominated in the commercial category, and Anna Steenson was nominated in the animation and director categories. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on April 13 in Minneapolis.
— Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Renae Chesnut, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, served as a panelist at the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Women’s 25th Celebration Brunch on Friday, March 9, at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. Chesnut was Drake’s long-time faculty athletics representative.
The brunch featured panels with MVC pioneers and leaders as the league recognized and honored members of the 25th Anniversary Women’s Basketball Team.
The event was part of the MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament that was held March 8-11 at TaxSlayer Center.
Women’s sports were incorporated into the MVC in 1992, having previously competed under the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference banner from 1982-1992. The 2017-2018 season is a landmark one for the conference and women’s sports, celebrating the 45th anniversary of Title IX and the 25th anniversary of women’s sports in the MVC.
Chesnut was one of 12 members of the Leaders and Pioneers Panel moderated by MVC Hall of Famer and former Illinois State women’s basketball head coach Jill Hutchinson. Chesnut was the lone faculty athletics representative on the panel and served in that capacity for 16 years from 2000-2016. In that role, she represented Drake student-athletes, coaches and faculty in MVC and NCAA affairs and chaired numerous committees during her tenure. That leadership included serving as the president of the MVC Presidents’ Council in 2004-2005 and 2013-2014.
Dr. Chesnut was one of a slew of Drake representatives honored at the brunch as three Bulldogs were named earlier to the MVC Women’s Basketball 25-Year Team. Drake earned three honorees on the 10-woman roster with Carla Bennett (1999-03), Tricia Wakely (1992-96) and Lizzy Wendell (2013-17) being named members of the illustrious squad.
— Mikayla Olson, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
In the spirit of continuous improvement, Human Resources is working with an advisory group of faculty and staff to obtain feedback on how to improve the performance management program and enhance management training and development. The team has provided ideas on how to ensure performance reviews become more meaningful and effective. In addition, they plan to provide input on topics where managers would benefit from additional training and resources. Mary Alice Hill, director of HR Partner Services, would like to recognize the following group members for their time and thoughtful ideas.
Tricia Atterberg, College of Arts and Sciences
Marilea Chase, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Renae Chesnut, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Dan Connolly, School of Business and Public Administration
Scott Law, Public Safety
Brandi Miller, Student Financial Planning
Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Heather Travis, Finance and Administration
Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
If you have ideas to suggest, you are encouraged to share them with any member of the team.
— Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources
Members of the Human Resources team will be available Thursday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center’s Drake Room. This is a convenient opportunity for you to talk with HR Partner Services about any HR topic that’s on your mind. You’re also welcome to schedule a meeting at the HR offices, 3206 University Avenue, if another time works better for you. We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your ideas for making Drake an even better place to work.
— Debra Wiley, Human Resources
Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2019 by completing a wellness screening this year. If you are on Drake’s health plan and currently enrolled in the Wellness Premium Incentive Program, you must complete a wellness screening annually to retain your savings. There are three ways to complete your screening:
If you have a physical, with bloodwork, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the results can be submitted as your wellness screening.
New this year: You will NOT be required to complete an online wellness assessment. You only need to complete the wellness screening to receive the premium incentive.
For questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources