All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Students Archive

COVID-19 and MPV information for the fall semester

Chief Student Affairs Officer Jerry Parker sent an email Aug. 8 communicating the University’s COVID-19 preparation plans. Additionally, he sent an email Aug. 17 with information about monkeypox, summarized below.

Monkeypox (MPV) Information and Resources
MPV is a disease caused by infection from the monkeypox virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking cases associated with a recent outbreak of MPV that has been reported in several countries, including the United States. The Iowa Department of Public Health tracks cases of MPV in the state with a dashboard that is updated each Wednesday.

How is MPV spread?
Everyone is susceptible to MPV regardless of age or sex. It is most commonly transmitted through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with infected people or animals. Less commonly, it can be spread through contact with objects, fabrics (for example clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with an active case of MPV. It can also be spread via respiratory secretions or oral fluids from a person with MPV during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical and/or sexual contact; however, it does not linger in the air and is not thought to be transmitted during short periods of shared air space. People who do not have MPV symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.

What are the symptoms of MPV?
Symptoms include a rash or sores, sometimes located on hands, feet, chest, face, around the genitals, or inside the body including mouth, vagina, or anus. Other symptoms of MPV may include: fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms can occur before the onset of the characteristic rash or sores.

What should I do if I think I have MPV?
If you have a rash that is consistent with MPV, speak with a healthcare provider even if you have had no known contact with someone who has MPV. Students can call the Drake Student Health Center at 515-271-3731 or their personal healthcare provider. Employees should contact their personal healthcare provider.

Is there a vaccine for MPV?
While there are effective vaccines for MPV, the CDC does not currently recommend widespread pre-exposure vaccination against MPV. The CDC does recommend that individuals with a known MPV exposure receive a vaccine within four days of exposure to prevent onset of the disease. Delaying a post-exposure vaccine up to 14 days after exposure may reduce MPV symptoms. Additional vaccine information is available from the Polk County Health Department.

How do I reduce my risk of contracting MPV?
Actions an individual can take to reduce the risk of contracting MPV include:

  • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact including kissing and sexual activity with people who have a rash, sores, or confirmed MPV.
  • Do not handle, touch, or share bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with a rash, sores, or confirmed MPV.
  • Do not use eating utensils or cups of a person with MPV.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces and objects.

What If I get Infected?
If you have a confirmed case of MPV, you will be required to isolate in consultation with the Polk County Health Department. Because of the longer isolation periods required for MPV—typically two to four weeks according to the CDC—residential students who are able will be strongly encouraged to isolate at home or off campus. Where that is not feasible, the University is currently planning to make isolation rooms available and arrange for food delivery. If an individual lives off campus, they will be expected to isolate at their off-campus residence or another off-campus location.

Where can I learn more?
For more information about MPV, please visit the CDC’s FAQ and MPV websites maintained by the Iowa Department of Health and the Polk County Health Department. Students can also call their healthcare provider or Student Health at 515–271–3731.

Campus Announcements Archive

Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Symposium Aug. 5

After being on hold for two years due to the pandemic, the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Symposium is back with the theme: Innovative Inclusion: Reconnecting & Rebooting for Social Justice.

The event will be held virtually on Friday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are also encouraged to attend the virtual symposium kick-off event, Kicking-Off Innovative Inclusion, on Thursday, Aug. 4.

Drake faculty, staff, and students can register to attend the symposium for free with the code Reboot22.

— Ryan Arnold, Community Engagement

Strategic Updates Archive

Economic update with Chicago Fed chair tomorrow at Sheslow, register now

Join Drake and the Greater Des Moines Partnership as they host Charles Evans, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, for an economic update on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. at Sheslow Auditorium. This timely and relevant discussion will provide an expert perspective on the effects of recent monetary policy on regional and U.S. economic activity. 

The conversation will feature a question-and-answer session with Evans moderated by Robert Palmer, who serves on the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Advisory Council and is General Counsel to the Iowa League of Cities.

Register for the event. 

More about Charles Evans and the Chicago Fed
The Chicago Fed is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks across the country. These 12 banks — along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. — make up our nation’s central bank. As head of the Chicago Fed, Evans oversees the work of roughly 1,400 employees in Chicago and Detroit who conduct economic research, supervise financial institutions and provide payment services to commercial banks and the U.S. government.

Evans has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since September 2007. In that capacity, he serves on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policymaking body. Before becoming president in September of 2007, Evans served as director of research and senior vice president, supervising the Bank’s research on monetary policy, banking, financial markets and regional economic conditions. His personal research has focused on measuring the effects of monetary policy on U.S. economic activity, inflation and financial market prices, and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Campus Announcements Archive

New security certificate needed to join eduroam

ITS recently applied a security update on July 14 to the eduroam network. As a result, everyone who connects to the eduroam network will be prompted to install a new security certificate.

If your device isn’t able to accept the certificate or experience wifi connectivity issues after accepting, please contact the ITS Support Center at 515–271–3001 or visit service.drake.edu/its to report a Network Issue.

— Becky Klein, ITS

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

Drake and the Greater Des Moines Partnership to host Chicago Fed chair on Aug. 10 at Sheslow

Drake University and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will host Charles Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, for an economic update on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. at Drake’s Sheslow Auditorium.

Evans will provide an expert perspective on the effects of recent monetary policy on regional and U.S. economic activity. The Chicago Fed is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks across the country. These 12 banks — along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. — make up our nation’s central bank. As head of the Chicago Fed, Evans oversees the work of roughly 1,400 employees in Chicago and Detroit who conduct economic research, supervise financial institutions and provide payment services to commercial banks and the U.S. government.

Evans has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since September 2007. In that capacity, he serves on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policymaking body. Before becoming president in September of 2007, Evans served as director of research and senior vice president, supervising the Bank’s research on monetary policy, banking, financial markets and regional economic conditions. His personal research has focused on measuring the effects of monetary policy on U.S. economic activity, inflation and financial market prices, and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

The conversation will feature a question-and-answer session with Evans moderated by Robert Palmer with the Iowa League of Cities.

“We are excited to welcome Charles Evans for what promises to be a timely and relevant conversation on the U.S. economy,” said Andrea Woodard, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at The Partnership. “Charles will provide insight into the Federal Reserve’s decisions and how they will impact Greater Des Moines businesses and organizations.”

Learn more about the event.

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

Mark Ernst named chair of Drake University Board of Trustees 

The Drake University Board of Trustees has named alumnus and business executive Mark Ernst, BN’80, as its new chair. Ernst, who has served on the board since 2008 and is currently co-chair of The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold, will succeed Peggy Fisher who has served in the role since July 2019. Ernst will begin his term July 1. 

“I am confident that Mark’s strong leadership, vision, and commitment to Drake will propel our great University forward,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mark will continue to advance the mission and global reach of the University as he has done for more than a decade. He also will continue helping to lead our comprehensive campaign along with co-chair Suzie Glazer Burt.”  

“As Mark assumes his new role as chair, I must also extend my deepest gratitude to Peggy Fisher for her steadfast leadership over the last three years,” said Martin. “Her contributions will leave a lasting impact on this great institution for many years to come.” 

Ernst is managing partner of Bellevue Capital and the former executive vice president and chief operating officer at Fiserv, Inc. Prior to joining Fiserv, Ernst served as deputy commissioner at  the Internal Revenue Service. Ernst previously led a transformation of tax and financial services at H&R Block, Inc., where he served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer from 2001 through 2007. 

“Drake is at a pivot point in the midst of changes in the higher education landscape,” said Ernst. “Leading the board at this moment, when Drake alumni and supporters have the opportunity to strengthen our campus through The Ones campaign, is an honor. We have a bold vision for what can be at Drake, and it is up to all of us to help enable that future.” 

A native of Bellevue, Iowa, Ernst earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Drake in 1980, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Ernst and his wife LeighAnn Davis have and continue to support Drake through several important philanthropic efforts, including a $3 million unrestricted gift to The Ones campaign, as well as significant gifts to the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade, Cowles Library renovation, and annual support of the Drake Fund. 

In addition to Ernst’s ascension to board chair, the Drake University Board of Trustees welcomes three new members: 

  • Martha Capps, JO’78, of Eden Prairie, Minn., principal at Capps Marketing
  • Kathleen Fehrman, of Des Moines, Iowa, managing partner of Fehrman Investments, L.L.C. and community advocate 
  • Amy Ohde, BN’98, of Atlanta, executive director of launch support at Chick-fil-A and Drake’s 2013 Young Alumni Achievement award winner 

News & Achievements Archive

Drake University Awards Honorary Degree to Mediacom CEO Rocco B. Commisso

Drake University today announced it has awarded Rocco B. Commisso, the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Mediacom Communications Corporation, an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree.

“While other broadband providers exited Iowa, Mediacom—under Mr. Commisso’s leadership—invested in infrastructure critical to the economic vitality of our state,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mediacom has demonstrated its shared commitment to Drake University’s inspiration statement: to strengthen the communities we serve.”

In 2017, Mediacom made 1-gigabit internet service available to more than 300 communities in Iowa as part of a three-year, $1 billion capital investment plan.  In 2020, Mediacom chose Iowa as the location for the first ever field trial showcasing the multi-gigabit speeds of the cable industry’s new 10G platform. 

“Rocco jumped at the opportunity to make a major investment in Iowa’s telecommunications infrastructure,” said Tom Vilsack, United States Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa governor, in a recommendation letter to the Drake University Honorary Degree Committee. “From the very beginning, Rocco promised to bring Iowans the same or better services as the residents of America’s largest metropolitan areas, and he has done so for over two decades.”

Commisso founded Mediacom in 1995 after serving as an executive for Cablevision Industries until the company’s merger with Time Warner. Since that time, Commisso has grown Mediacom into one of the largest cable television providers in the United States. After a successful initial public offering in 2000, Commisso took Mediacom private in 2011, and he and his family continue to own the company today.

“Home to nearly 1,600 of our dedicated employees and a third of our loyal customer base, Iowa has long been the crown jewel of Mediacom’s 22 state network operations,” said Commisso. “It is a tremendous privilege to receive an honorary degree from Drake, a distinguished university that sits in the heart of Iowa’s capital and whose administration, faculty and graduates have made immeasurable contributions to the state’s economic, educational and cultural advancement.” 

Commisso is a native of Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12. He attended Columbia University on a full undergraduate scholarship where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and an MBA degree from the Graduate Business School. Commisso was co-captain of the soccer team during his time at Columbia. Today, he owns world-renowned ACF Fiorentina which competes in Serie A, the top division of Italian soccer. Commisso is a resident of New Jersey.

The honorary doctorate is the highest honor that the University bestows. Honorary degree recipients are selected by the Honorary Degree Committee and approved by the Faculty Senate and Drake University Board of Trustees.

About Drake University
Drake University is recognized as one of the finest national liberal arts universities. A distinctive and distinguished private university in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and more than 1,800 graduate students. Students choose from more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations and 20 graduate degrees offered through seven colleges and schools. In addition, Drake offers a range of continuing education programs serving working professionals, community members, and area businesses. Drake recognizes the importance of its location in Iowa’s capital city and seeks to connect its teaching and learning to the wealth of cultural, recreational, and business resources it provides. At the same time, it integrates global thinking and intercultural learning into everything it does, preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom provides high-speed data, video and phone services to over 1.5 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business, and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.

Strategic Updates Archive

New Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University breaks ground

The Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University is under construction! Yesterday, Drake and Broadlawns broke ground at the clinic’s future site, 29th Street and University Avenue.

The clinic will serve as a resources to the Des Moines and Drake communities, providing urgent care, primary care, and mental health services.

Broadlawns Medical Center and Drake University are partnering on this project to fill the gap in primary care providers in the community and broaden Drake University’s student health services. More details on the project can be found in a news release that was issued last fall.

Drake University President Marty Martin
Broadlawns Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Tony Coleman

Campus Announcements Archive

Hubbell June dining hours

Hubbell will be open the following hours in June:

June 14–16
Breakfast: 7–7:45 a.m.
Lunch: 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–5:45 p.m.

June 17
Breakfast: 7–7:45 a.m.
Lunch: 12–12:30 p.m.
Dinner: 6–6:40 p.m.

June 18
Breakfast: 8–9:30 a.m.

June 19
Dinner: 5–6 p.m.

June 20
Breakfast: 7–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–6 p.m.

June 21
Breakfast: 7–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–6 p.m.

June 22
Breakfast: 7–8 a.m.
Lunch: 12–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–6 p.m.

June 23
Breakfast: 7–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–6 p.m.

June 24
Breakfast: 7–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 a.m.–1:45 p.m.

June 25: Closed

June 26
Dinner: 6–6:40 p.m.

June 27
Breakfast: 7–9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–5:45 p.m.

June 28–30
Breakfast: 7–7:45 a.m.
Lunch: 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5–5:45 p.m.

— Shaelyn Hankins, Drake Dining

Strategic Updates Archive

Chiller offline, some buildings may be warmer than normal

One of the University’s chillers is not working properly causing some campus buildings to be warmer than normal. Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) is working with a contractor to repair the chiller as quickly as possible. An update will be provided to building contacts once more information is available.

The buildings affected include: Olin Hall, the Science Connector Building, Collier-Scrips Hall, Fitch Hall, Medbury Hall, Knapp Center, Shivers Practice Facility, Cline Hall, Harvey Ingham Hall, Hubbell Dining Hall, Aliber Hall, and Cowels Library.

FPM is working to relocate several classes and events taking place across campus this week due to the high temperatures and reduced cooling capacity.

For questions, contact Kevin Moran at kevin.moran@drake.edu.

— Kevin Moran, Facilities Planning and Management