All posts by Ashton Hockman

Campus Announcements Archive

QUIZ: Test your phishing knowledge

Now through Nov. 17, ITS is holding a phishing quiz, a contest where Drake students, faculty, and staff can learn how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites. The first 300 people to take the quiz will win a certificate for a free taco courtesy of Taco Johns. Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered to win one of six additional prize packages. Visit www.drake.edu/its/phish today.

Additionally, ITS will have a table in the Olmsted Breezeway on Nov. 1, Nov. 7, and Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by to spin the prize wheel. If you answer a phishing question correctly, you could win an additional prize.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Street closure, water shut down to affect campus buildings

A new water main will be installed on campus (on the old 27th Street) this week. As a result of the construction, water to Jewett, Cartwright, Collier-Scripps, Olin, the Fieldhouse, Bell Center, and Facilities Planning and Management will be turned off on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 11 p.m. Water will be turned back on by 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2. During the shutdown, residents of Jewett will have card access to Morehouse to shower and use the restroom facilities.

In addition, the intersection of 27th Street and Forest Ave. will be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to Nov. 5. The City of Des Moines will install detour signs on University Ave., 30th Street, and 25th Street. Please be careful in all construction areas around campus during this period.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Strategic Updates Archive

26th Street homes to be relocated soon

Two houses located on 26th Street and south of University Avenue will be moved to the Sherman Hill neighborhood on Nov. 14 or Nov. 15 depending on the weather. The moves are anticipated to occur sometime around 10 p.m. Following the relocation of the homes, DeCarlo Demolition will remove the basements and grade the land where the houses once stood.

The homes are being relocated to clear the lots, which will be redeveloped by Nelson Construction into a mixed-use space. Moving the homes involves careful planning and coordination between city officials, Des Moines Police, and MidAmerican Energy. 

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Featured Events Archive

German language conversation hours to start Thursday

The starting date for German Stammtisch, an informal language group, was pushed back. The group will begin meeting this Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Drake Diner.

All faculty, staff, and students interested in practicing German speaking skills are welcome to join. The Stammtisch welcomes all people at all levels of German language experience. The group will meet biweekly on Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., beginning this week.

For further information, contact Associate Professor Marc Pinheiro-Cadd at marc.pinheiro-cadd@drake.edu.

—Dorothy Pisarski, Journalism and Mass Communication

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

United Way campaign to kick off

The Continuous Improvement Plan at Drake calls upon all of us to strengthen our strategic engagement with community partners. As part of this commitment, Drake is proud to partner with United Way of Central Iowa.

Drake will kickoff its United Way campaign with an informational and social event Monday, Nov. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Shivers Courside Club. All employees are encouraged to attend the event to learn more about United Way. Guest speaker Toby O’Berry from Iowa Homeless Youth Shelters and representatives from United Way will be on hand. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

2017 Campaign Goals

This year, our goal is to donate at total of $55,000 or gain participation from at least 200 employees.  If we reach our goal, all employees will receive the full-day off on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (instead of a half-day).

Each giving level also comes with generous incentives. Incentive prizes include basketball tickets, Drake merchandise (we have so much to give away), a visit to the President’s house, VIP Bucksbaum tickets, and more.

Why give to United Way?

  • 100% of the funds donated stay in Central Iowa
  • United Way financially supports 33 organizations that are Drake partners
  • In 2016, more than 6,000 people in the 50311 zip code benefited from United Way funding

How to Give

The easiest way to give is online. An email on giving will be distributed to campus on Monday, Nov. 6. For those who have contributed in the past, please consider contributing again. If you are new to the campaign, please consider contributing $5 per month. More information on giving to United Way can be found here.

For questions on the campaign, contact your campaign ambassador or Nate Reagen, at nate.reagen@drake.edu or ext. 2949.

––Nate Reagen, President’s Office

For Students Archive

Clean out your closet and help clothe fellow residents in need

The Winter Warmth Drive is on at Drake through Nov. 2. The drive collects winter clothing for local young people in need, as well as homeless and refugee metro residents. Please donate new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, snow pants, and snow boots; infant through adult sizes are welcome. The Winter Warmth Drive is sponsored by the Christian Legal Society.

Clothing donation collection boxes are located in buildings throughout campus, including Olmsted, Old Main, Aliber, and Cartwright. For more information on the drive, please visit: winterwarmthdrive.org, or contact matthew.lepke@drake.edu.

—Matthew Lepke

For Students Archive

New GroupX schedule released

Drake Wellness has released its GroupX schedule for the second half of the semester. New classes include yoga and High intensity interval training (HIIT) yoga. HIIT yoga offers a combination of cardio and strength workouts to improve the intensity of your workout. Some fitness class dates and times have been adjusted, so make sure to reference the updated schedule. Schedules can be found on IMLeagues.com or at the Bell Center. Classes will begin this week.

—Drake Wellness

For Students Archive

Free basketball tickets for students

Drake undergraduate, graduate, and law students are admitted free to all home Drake basketball games. Tickets will be automatically added to students’ valid Drake Card. All students must present their Drake Card to receive admission. Below is the necessary information for attending basketball games at the The Knapp Center.

Drake Men’s Basketball

  • Enter The Knapp Center Southwest Student Entrance.
  • Present your Drake Student ID to the Drake Athletics staff person. Your ticket will be printed at the gate.
  • Student seating is available in sections J–K and S–T for men’s basketball games and sections J–K for women’s basketball games.

Students will receive their tickets directly to their valid Drake Card via Flash Seats. Your personal information remains confidential as Drake Athletics has partnered with Flash Seats to help give you the most convenient method to attend Bulldog athletic events. You will receive a confirmation email from Flash Seats that your tickets have arrived on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Once you have received the email, all you need to do is head to the game and cheer on the Bulldogs. If you do not receive an email from Flash Seats, please visit or contact the Drake Athletics ticket office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu. Additional student ticket information is available at DrakeTix.com/student.

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

For Students Archive

Data visualization workshop: An introduction to Tableau

Attend a workshop on Oct. 25 from 5 to 6:15 p.m., in Cowles Library, Room 45, on Tableau information visualization software. Tableau is a drag and drop software for transforming Excel or .csv files into graphical formats. The workshop provides a hands-on experience, starting with data cleanup and ending with the creation of an online geo-referenced dashboard.

Details and registration information can be found here. Seating is limited to 20. Drop-in’s are welcome if space is available.

—Cameron Tuai, Cowles Library