All posts by Ashton Hockman

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Addressing common COVID-19 vaccine concerns with Associate Professor Nora Stelter

Concern 2: If I’ve already had COVID-19, do I need to get vaccinated?

Even if you’ve had COVID-19, you should definitely get vaccinated. We’re still learning about natural immunity and how long it lasts after COVID-19 infection, but we do know that getting a vaccine after you’ve recovered from COVID-19, strengthens your immune response. We also know that the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines provide better protection than natural infection against rapidly spreading, highly contagious variants such as Delta. Finally, getting vaccinated protects our community, especially our more vulnerable members of society. Think of getting vaccinated as an act of care—it protects your grandparents, parents, neighbors and immunocompromised friends.

View the facts: Six common concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.

—Nora Stelter, associate professor of pharmacy practice  

Uncategorized

Addressing common COVID-19 vaccine concerns with Associate Professor Nora Stelter

Concern 1: Is COVID-19 dangerous for young adults?

While young adults have a lower risk of developing severe outcomes from COVID-19, there have been thousands of young people who have required hospitalization and more than 2,400 adults between the ages 18–29 have died. Beyond getting vaccinated to protect our own health, we have a responsibility to keep our community safe and healthy. When you get vaccinated, you’re doing your part to protect those around you—it’s truly a collective effort. This is why it’s important to get vaccinated.

View the facts: Six common concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.

—Nora Stelter, associate professor of pharmacy practice

Campus Announcements Archive

Dogtown block party this Saturday

On Saturday, July 10, from 1–3 p.m., visit the Dogtown Business District for a block p-art-y! The event will take place in the Lucky Horse parking lot, located at 2331 University Ave. There will be free food and refreshments provided from local Dogtown businesses, while supplies last. This event is in collaboration with the Drake Neighborhood Association, Drake University, and Invest DSM.

As part of the celebration, check out the interactive sidewalk art experience between the 23rd and 25th Street blocks of University Ave. Adventure off the main path and discover the hidden murals in the Drake neighborhood. Find them, snag a pic, and post the photos with #dogtowndsm.

Watch Drake social media for a chance to win a Dogtown T-Shirt if you use #DogtownDSM.

This event will kick off the Color Your Palate Block P-Art-y event series, which will feature block parties throughout the Drake neighborhood the following two weekends. Come “Color Your Palate” and explore this beautiful neighborhood.

The public art installation is provided by Invest DSM’s Artist In Residency Program. The 2020–2021 Artist in Residence is Eleanor Kahn. Learn more about these events and Eleanor’s work at eleanorkahn.com/color-your-palate-party-locations.

Strategic Updates Archive

Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Jon Meacham to deliver the Fall 2021 Bucksbaum Lecture

The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series is returning to Drake University in-person this fall with presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham. The lecture will take place Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Knapp Center, 2525 Forest Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Details regarding health and safety protocols for the event will be released at a later date.

“We are thrilled for the return of Drake University’s most celebrated lecture series,” said Neil Hamilton, former director of the Drake University Agricultural Law Center and chair of the Bucksbaum Lecture selection committee. “The Bucksbaum Lecture series is known for bringing renowned and influential scholars to Des Moines. Jon Meacham is one of the country’s most respected voices on presidential history and politics, and we are honored to welcome him to Drake.”

Meacham is one of America’s most prominent public intellectuals. A contributor to TIME and The New York Times Book Review, Meacham is a highly sought-after commentator, regularly appearing on CNN and MSNBC.

His latest #1 New York Times Best Seller, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, examines the present moment in American politics and life by looking back at critical times in U.S. history when hope overcame division and fear. Meacham is a co-author of the recently released book, Impeachment: An American History, which reveals the complicated motives behind the first three impeachments in U.S. history.

Meacham’s presidential biography, Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. The Times said, “Destiny and Power reflects the qualities of both subject and biographer: judicious, balanced, deliberative, with a deep appreciation of history and the personalities who shape it.” Meacham delivered eulogies for both President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Meacham’s #1 New York Times Best Seller, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, was hailed as “masterful and intimate” by Fortune magazine. His other national bestsellers include Franklin and Winston, American Gospel, and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2009.

“Jon Meacham is a valued voice with a deep knowledge of politics, religion, and current affairs,” said Drake Professor of Politics Rachel Paine Caufield. “His work is particularly relevant today, as we seek to contextualize and bring perspective to our contemporary political environment, using historical knowledge to understand the present. His Pulitzer Prize-winning work explores multiple facets of our collective shared history, and I look forward to a vibrant conversation and insightful commentary.”

Named a “Global Leader for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum, Meacham is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a fellow of the Society of American Historians, and chairs the National Advisory Board of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. Meacham is a distinguished visiting professor of history at The University of the South and a visiting distinguished professor at Vanderbilt. He is currently at work on a biography of James and Dolley Madison. 

About the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series
The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible by a gift from the late Melva and Martin Bucksbaum. The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lectureship Committee includes: Neil Hamilton (chair), Julian Archer, James Autry, Pamela Bass-Bookey, Michael Gartner, Janis Ruan, Mary Bucksbaum Scanlon, Marcia Wanamaker, and Eleanor Zeff.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Congratulations Sapphire Award winners

Thank you to everyone who tuned in for the virtual Sapphire Awards hosted by the All Staff Council Recognition Committee and Human Resources. The committee recognized the nine groups and 18 individuals who received True Blue Awards throughout the year. One individual and one group are voted on by All Staff Council members to win the Sapphire Award.

Congratulations to Chris Nickell on winning the individual Sapphire Award!
Here is what his nominator had to say: Chris has done the job of at least four people during this pandemic and has done a great deal to enable the success we saw in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 on campus. He worked tireless and countless hours often with no regard to day or night. It’s his tireless dedication that actually served as a motivator to others and inspired many of us to also do our part. 

Congratulations to the Contact Tracing Team on winning the group Sapphire Award!
Here is what the group’s nominator had to say: There have been countless times a member of this team will be working with students late into the evening and on weekends, talking them through implications of a potential exposure or how to navigate various aspects of an isolation or quarantine. I can’t count how many times a member of the Contact Tracing team has worked to keep communications coordinated so that we can make an already tumultuous experience (testing positive for COVID or being exposed to someone) more relaxing and smooth. This team has taken on an enormous task and has done it with excellence, grace, humor, and a servant’s perspective. 

Congratulations to all of the True Blue Winners!

  • Lance Berg
  • Glenn Clark
  • Lynne Cornelius
  • Deneen Dygert
  • Emily Fleming
  • Alice Fynarrdt
  • Sara Heijerman
  • Alicia Hilligas
  • Shannon Hilscher
  • Sara Hughes
  • Jessica Lang
  • Venessa Macro
  • Chris Nickell
  • Geena Rasmussen
  • Joyce Ryerson
  • Mich Wieczorek
  • Lisa Wyatt
  • Ryan Zantingh

Group winners:

  • Kris Brewster, Adrick Smith & the ITS
  • Contact Tracing Team
  • Stephanie Sledge and Athletics
  • Ross Hall Custodial Staff
  • Jerry Parker & Sharyn O’Connor
  • Records Room and Finance Staff
  • Jeremy Sievers & Annie Spadt
  • National Alumni Scholars Admissions Team
  • Facilities Planning and Management & Public Safety

Watch a recording of the event.

— Amelia Klatt, On behalf of All Staff Council

Campus Announcements Archive

Tree and dedication plaque to recognize essential workers

Thank you to all of Drake University’s essential workers! We are so thankful to have you and appreciate all the work that you have done the past year. In collaboration with many on campus, the All Staff Council Recognition committee assisted in the planting of a tree (thanks to the grounds crew) to show appreciation for this dedicated group of staff members. This tree is located near Goodwin Kirk residence hall and marked by a plaque. It reads:

To Drake’s Essential Workers: We will always remember your steadfast commitment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

“We celebrate them by acting with courage and compassion, 
By doing what is right and just, 
For while we honor them today, 
It is they who every day honor us.” 
— Amanda Gorman 

Shukran, Hvala, Thank you, Gracias 

Planted Spring 2021, as recognition from All Staff Council. 

We would also like to share this heartfelt Haiku, written by Provost Sue Mattison:

Essential workers  
Not all the heroes wear capes.  
Thank you, our heroes.   

Thank you to all staff members for the work that you have put in this year as we navigated through the COVID-19 global pandemic, especially our essential workers!

Strategic Updates Archive

Hannah Clayborne selected as new dean of students

It is with much excitement that I share that Hannah Clayborne will be Drake’s next dean of students beginning July 19. As the search committee noted within her vita and throughout the interview process, Hannah comes with extensive leadership and supervisory experience in the field of student affairs at public and private colleges and universities.  Having served in senior leadership roles in student affairs and diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions including Ashland University and Bellarmine University, I strongly believe Hannah will successfully serve as Drake’s next dean of students and become an active and respected member within the Drake and the greater Des Moines communities. In addition to her administrative experiences, Hannah has served and continues to be involved in professional associations such as NASPA, a reviewer for higher education publications, as well as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.  

Having completed her doctoral studies through the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at Iowa State University, Hannah is familiar with Iowa and we are excited to welcome her back. She earned her Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Wright State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Miami University.

I want to thank the members of the search committee with the support of Sharyn O’Connor for expeditiously and thoroughly conducting this national search. Members of the search committee included:

Melissa Sturm-Smith, Chair
Jennifer Harvey
Megan Brown
Scott Law
Andy Verlengia
Jessica Morgan-Tate
Madyson Sklar
Ian Klein

— Jerry Parker

Strategic Updates Archive

Maureen De Armond is new human resources executive director

Drake is pleased to welcome Maureen De Armond as its new executive director of Human Resources. Maureen will begin her position June 28.

Maureen comes to Drake after serving as the associate vice president for Human Resources at Oregon Tech, where she oversaw all aspects of human resources operations, while also serving as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. She was responsible for the development of a process improvement plan aimed at modernizing and improving human resources processes and service. She also played a key role in the development of a new chief diversity role and served on the University’s COVID-19 response team. In 2019–2020, she was awarded the Student Affairs Most Valued Partner award.

“Maureen brings tremendous experience in facing today’s higher education challenges, as well as a deep understanding of the human resources function,” said Venessa Macro, chief administration officer. “She understands the link between strategic forward-thinking human resource departments and successful organizations.”

Prior to her role at Oregon Tech, Maureen served as assistant vice president for human resources at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Her duties included providing training, support, and guidance for academic and operational leaders and campus partners, while also serving as the chief diversity liaison and deputy Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.

Maureen’s career experience also includes time at Iowa State University where she worked as associate university counsel and served as an advisee to human resources, the senior vice president and provost, and the office of equal opportunity. Maureen earned a Juris Doctor from University of Iowa, College of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in secondary education, history, and German.

 “It is an honor to join Drake,” said Maureen. “I am happy to return to my home state of Iowa, move to a city I know and care about, and join an institution I have long respected. I am looking forward to leading the HR team as we work together to support the institution, its mission, and its employees.”

The search committee for the position included Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration; Michelle Huggins, design and planning manager; a representative from All Staff Council; Shannon Sanders, special assistant to athletic director; Cris Wildermuth, associate professor of education.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Major updates coming to MyDUSIS starting May 22

Drake has begun a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner 9 Self Service. Beginning May 22, the look and feel, as well as some functionality, will begin changing throughout the system. This project will roll out in several phases, some functions and screens will be in the new version while others remain in the current one.  

The first change will be the temporary addition of a new app on the Commonly Used Apps section of myDrake. My Information will take you to an updated screen that’s a central location for your personal information. It will permanently be located in the Human Resources section for employees and the My Drake Profile section for students. See a sneak peek of the new screen below.  

Enlarge image

MyDUSIS will remain accessible in myDrake through the upgrade, but links will be phased out and changed as we convert to Banner Self-Service. In addition, we will be changing the header on the pages that remain in the old version so that you’re aware of their eventual transition. 

Future improvements will include updates to timesheets and leave reports, grade entry and course registration. As additional phases of the project progress, we’ll share more information with you. 

— Kris Brewster, ITS