All posts by Ashton Hockman

Campus Announcements Archive

Welcoming international students to campus

Drake International is excited to welcome incoming international students to Drake for the spring semester. To prepare them for the journey ahead and success at Drake, the department has developed a new orientation program that will acclimate them into our community. The program is more comprehensive than in years past and involves the participation of several departments. View the orientation schedule, and help us provide a warm welcome to these students.

— Jacquilline Nagila, Drake International

News & Achievements Archive

Welcome Gesine Gerhard, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Provost Mattison announced yesterday that Gesine Gerhard, PhD, has been named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1, 2018. Gerhard has demonstrated strong leadership skills, clear vision, and passionate advocacy for liberal arts education during a career as an administrator, scholar, and teacher. She has served since 2012 as associate dean of the College of the Pacific, the largest and oldest academic unit of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., where she also served as the University’s director of general education.

Read the full news release here.

For Students Archive

Voluntary meal plans available online

Voluntary meal plans are now available online. Students living off campus—including students enrolled in the law program and occupational therapy program—are eligible to sign up for a voluntary meal plan. The following meal plans are available to commuter students:

  • 125-Block Meal Plan: 125 meals plus $125 flex per semester
  • 75-Block Meal Plan: 75 meals plus $75 flex per semester

Visit Drake’s housing and meal plan portal for more information or to sign up.

— Jennifer Bowersox, Drake Dining

For Students Archive

Travel to Uganda

A few spots remain for the summer travel seminar to Uganda. The three-week seminar is from May 21 to June 12. It explores the challenges the country faces on its path to sustainable development. The seminar is six-credit hours and open to all undergraduate students. It fulfills AOI: Engaged Citizen or Global and Cultural Understanding. Scholarships are available. Course cost is between $4,100 and $4,350. Registration closes Jan. 31.

During the seminar, you will:

  • Discover the capital city and have conversations with Ugandan leaders
  • Learn about rural life and health care
  • Build friendships with African colleagues
  • Pursue your passion by completing a service or research project
  • Go on safari and visit the source of the Nile

For questions, contact professors:

— Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

News & Achievements Archive

Pisarski selected to work with Super Bowl Host Committee

Dorothy is wearing some of the gear provided by Target Corp. The reflective printing on the front and back is provided by 3M Corp, and the hat is provided by Love Your Melon.

Dorothy Pisarski, associate professor of advertising, was selected to work with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee and serve as a Skyway Host as part of Crew 52 during the upcoming Super Bowl. Dorothy will provide information and suggestions to Minneapolis visitors who need assistance navigating the Skyway system or requiring general tourism information. Super Bowl festival events run for ten days preceding the Super Bowl, starting Friday, Jan. 26.

Dorothy was inspired to apply for the role with the hosting committee after accompanying Drake Advertising students to the Student Advertising Summit at the University of Minnesota a year ago. By participating in the Super Bowl, Dorothy will be able to share with her students real-life examples of how event management and marketing operate at a Super Bowl-level scope and scale.

HR Information Archive

Five Steps to Increase Results and Reduce Stress

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the BUILD program session, “Five Steps to Increase Results and Reduce Stress,” on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311. Register by emailing Debra Wiley at debra.wiley@drake.edu. The presentation, by business and productivity consultant Lori VandeKrol of A Life Made Simple, provides strategies for creating productive habits for balancing all facets of life.

— Debra Wiley, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Join Weight Watchers at Work

Weight Watchers at Work is holding an information/registration meeting Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room.

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 have helped faculty and staff achieve their weight loss goals.

The Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. The cost is $156 for a 13-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

HealthTrip Wellness Program

HealthTrip is a fictitious journey to some familiar sounding cities such as Aerobiquerque, N.M. and Las Veggies. Each destination city features a unique health topic to explore. Participants earn Frequent Mover Miles by tracking activity such as walking, swimming, and playing basketball. Additionally, there are opportunities each month to earn bonus miles by completing a challenge.

This program is designed to work with your schedule.  You may participate every month or just the months that work best for you. Prize drawings will be held monthly for those who complete that month’s challenge.

The HealthTrip departure date (start date) is Feb. 1. Make your reservation today by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources