All posts by Ashton Hockman

News & Achievements Archive

Drake wins Healthiest State Workplace Award

Drake was announced the winner of the 2020 Healthiest State Large Workplace Award at the Healthiest State Annual Awards banquet Feb. 6. The award, presented by the Healthiest State Initiative, recognizes Drake for its efforts to improve the physical, social, and emotional well-being of its faculty and staff.

“We are proud to recognize Drake University with this award,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Healthiest State Initiative. “Drake has taken its commitment to wellness for its staff and expanded its efforts to involve the greater campus community as well as the surrounding neighborhood.”

The award recognized Drake for several noteworthy accomplishments, including:

  • Partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa to create Sprout: The Des Moines Urban Youth Learning Garden
  • Providing free access to the comprehensive on-campus fitness facilities and discounted memberships for family members
  • Implementing the “DU Well Scorecard” program, which breaks down wellness into eight dimensions and incentivizes healthy behaviors for employees

As an award winner, Drake received $1,000 to continue its work focused on improving the health and wellbeing of its students, faculty, and staff. The Healthiest State Annual Awards were sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Hy-Vee, Inc., Nemours, and HealthPartners UnityPoint Health. To learn more about the Healthiest State Initiative and its programming and events, visit IowaHealthiestState.com.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Strategic Updates Archive

Big Ideas initiative update

With the second semester in full swing, I am pleased to provide an update on the Big Ideas process and share exciting next steps. 

Over the last few months, President Martin and members of the Advancement staff have been meeting with key University donors and prospects to update them on the Big Ideas process and share the six proposed themes:

  1. Center for Public Democracy
  2. Digital Proficiency Platform
  3. Every Bulldog a Changemaker
  4. Intergenerational Campus
  5. Jay N. Darling Institute
  6. University Center

For a review of the Big Ideas themes, refer back to the video shared by President Martin on Dec. 2.

I am pleased to report that 105 one-on-one visits with leadership donors and prospects have been completed, with approximately 10 more visits scheduled. Intended to serve as a modified feasibility study supporting the Big Ideas process and Drake’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign, these meetings allowed us to gauge which themes resonated most with prospective donors. Overwhelmingly, we received positive feedback regarding the Big Ideas and analysis to help shape the next steps in the process.

Also, last month, President Martin provided the Board of Trustees a detailed update on the Big Ideas, and the Board offered their feedback and their endorsement of the process.

Immediate next steps
In the coming weeks, meetings will be scheduled with each of the Big Ideas champions and additional contributors to begin the process of defining specific fundraising initiatives related to their idea. Our goal is to have a “fundraising menu” drafted for each of the six themes leading into the April Board meeting.

In addition, a letter and marketing piece will be sent from President Martin to the more than 100 prospects we held meetings with. The letter will thank them for their participation, update them on the process, and summarize next steps.

Once again, thank you for your continued support of this exciting process. As always, please reach out with any questions and feedback. 

— John Smith, Vice President, University Advancement

News & Achievements Archive

Golden Bulldog Award

Every fall, Facilities Planning and Management participates in the Administrative Services Survey. We use the data we gain from the survey to prioritize areas in which we can improve, as well as celebrate our accomplishments. Out of the ten specific areas in which we were assessed, we are happy to have had all of them rate above a 4 out of 5! To reward, as well as create some spirited competition, we have started a roaming trophy, The Golden Bulldog! This year, the award went to “Grounds Services” with an approval of 4.54/5!

— Mitch Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management

Campus Announcements Archive

Olmsted lot closed Thursday

The Olmsted parking lot (lot 16) will be closed for the campus Job Fair Thursday, Feb. 13, from 6 a.m.–5 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience. The closure is necessary to accommodate this large, campus-wide program. Yellow–Zone 1 passes will be honored in all non-premium commuter lots on Thursday (not lot 13/Ray Promenade or lot 18/Stadium lot).

— Scott Law

Campus Announcements Archive

Share faculty and staff accomplishments in the Drake Newsroom

The Office of University Communications and Marketing has developed an online tool to share news of faculty and staff accomplishments. Accessible at http://www.drake.edu/accomplishments, you are able to write a complete story for submission to the newsroom, including the option to upload a relevant photo. The form is designed to act like a minimalistic word processor, capable of adding links, bullet points, and other style choices.

Submission of this form creates a draft story on the back-end of our newsroom. The communications team is notified of the presence of a new story so that we may make any necessary changes to accommodate Drake’s style guide or other minor editorial changes prior to publication. This process is designed to speed the process of sharing good news and to help ensure accuracy of what is published online. Following review, the story will be published to the University’s online newsroom, and you will then have an active link to share via social media, email, and other means.

Articles submitted to this form are reviewed weekly. In cases where a quicker turnaround is required, please reach out directly to Jarad Bernstein, director of communications at jarad.bernstein@drake.edu.

— Jarad Bernstein, University Communications and Marketing

Campus Announcements Archive

Crack the Code: Free Arabic workshop

For the second year, the Wold Languages and Cultures department is offering a free 5-session Arabic language workshop. It was so popular last year, and this Spring, you are invited to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn an amazing language and earn a completion certificate. All students, staff, and faculty are invited to join. The first 10 students to register get a free textbook (restrictions apply).

The workshop will be held Mondays from 5:30–7 p.m. from March 23 through April 20. View registration details at: https://forms.gle/Qc23SYEyGWXYmnjn6.

— Ibrahim Khalaylih, World Languages and Cultures

Strategic Updates Archive

Street closures and parking Jan. 29–30

As mentioned in an email to campus on Jan. 26, U.S. President Donald Trump will host a campaign event at the Knapp Center on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 30. As a result, the following campus parking lots will be closed Thursday:

Lot 1A (visitor lot)
Lot 2 (east of Shivers)
Lot 3 (immediately behind the Knapp Center)
Lot 4 (Tennis Center)
Lot 13 (Ray Promenade)

Any vehicles parked in these lots after 2 a.m. on Thursday will be towed away at the owners expense.

Drake Public Safety expects that many non-Drake vehicles will be parked in open lots on Wednesday evening and Thursday. With the exception of vehicles on grass or blocking operations, Drake Public Safety will not be towing vehicles out of open lots. Drake students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to arrive early to find parking or use alternate methods of travel. As a reminder, Drake provides unlimited rides on DART as a benefit for employees and students. Simply show your Drake ID when boarding any regular DART bus. The DART website provides assistance in navigating which routes to take and offers detailed scheduling information. 

Drake permit holders with valid parking permits may park in any Drake lot that is open on Thursday.

STREET CLOSURES
Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 25th Street will close on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. to through traffic.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, expect the following streets to be closed:

  • 25th Street between Forest Avenue and Clark Street
  • Clark Street between 25th Street and 27th Street
  • 27th Street between Clark Avenue and Forest Avenue

No vehicles may be parked on Clark Street between 25th Street and 27th Street on Thursday, Jan. 30. Vehicles parked on Clark will be towed away by the city at the owners expense.

— Scott Law, Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Events

On Monday, Jan. 20, you can honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at events across central Iowa — Make it a day ON, not a day off.

7th Annual MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast
7:30 a.m., The Knapp Center, hosted by John R. Grubb YMCA
This community event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and promotes his message for peace and justice and recognizes the winners of the 2020 Make a Difference Awards. Proceeds benefit the John R. Grubb Community YMCA’s annual campaign, giving local families access to the Y through financial assistance and supports enrichment programs like Starfish Academy, a summer literacy camp. Listen to keynote speakers, a gospel choir, and more. Purchase a ticket.

Undesign the Redline Exhibit
10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m., Franklin Jr. High
Stop in for a tour of this Polk County Housing Trust Fund exhibit at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m. on MLK Jr. Day. This exhibit provides background on federal policies started in the 1930s which neighborhoods were worthy of investment specifically due to the race, ethnicity, and class of residents. These policies had a profoundly negative social and economic impact on those living in “undesirable” neighborhoods, especially African American residents, that persist to this day. The exhibit takes place at Franklin Jr. High.

MLK Day of Service at Bidwell Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including helping clients check in for clothing and bread, stocking food pantry shelves, hanging and sorting donations, and cleaning and sanitizing day care rooms. Sign up on the United Way of Central Iowa’s website.

Urban Dreams MLK Day of Service
9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Urban Dreams (601 Forest Ave.)
The day of service will help the organization with thanking supporters, enhancing programming, deep cleaning the office so clients have a nice place for services, and other tasks needed. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service at Community Youth Concepts
10 a.m.–12 p.m. at CYC (1446 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.)
Community Youth Concepts will host service projects from 10 a.m. to noon at CYC. All are invited to participate! There will be a variety of service projects for people of all ages including: making cards for Please Pass the Love, assembling reading packets and making bookmarks for Everybody Wins! Iowa, making seed bombs and bird feeders thanks to Des Moines Parks and Recreation, and making CYC and Stowe Heights magnets to give out at the Annual Spotlight of Service Event. Come you when can, leave when you need to. Learn more.

MLK Jr. Day Packaging event at Meals From the Heartland
Volunteer for a 90-minute shift to package meals for the hungry here in Iowa and around the world. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service Blood Drive
LifeServe will host a blood drive in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at both LifeServe locations. Donors will receive a free gift. Visit lifeservebloodcenter.org to book your appointment.

MLK Day Celebration at the Forest Avenue Library
4–5 p.m. at Forest Avenue Library
Join the Forest Avenue Library and the DSM community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and remember the principles and beliefs for which he fought. The event will feature keynote speaker Dwana Bradley, recognition of student art and creative writing entries, and a hands-on art experience for youth with artist Jill Wells. All six DMPL locations will be closed in recognition of the holiday. Forest Ave. Library will only be open during the program. Learn more.

Volunteer Fair
5–7 p.m. at the Urbandale Public Library
Learn about volunteer opportunities and organizations to volunteer within Urbandale. In addition, those with library fines can donate a new personal care item or nonperishable food item to have fines removed.

Free admission at Science Center of Iowa
SCI invites the community to visit, explore programs and exhibits, and bring learning to life with free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day thanks to support from Principal Financial Group.

Free ice skating at Brenton Skating Rink
8–9 a.m. at Brenton Skating Rink
Free ice skating with donations of warm clothing, such as: Hats, gloves, mittens, and socks. All donations will be distributed to area shelters. Learn more.

Sing Ebenezer! Songs and Stories from Martin Luther King’s Neighborhood
7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, Bldg. #6 Auditorium on the DMACC Ankeny Campus, A free-will offering will be taken
The show is an original program created by the Thresholds Music Projects, Inc.  It features two close friends of the King family.  Dr. Albert Brinson was an assistant minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Dr. King and his father before Dr. King was killed. The other is operatic soprano Sherry Dukes, who was encouraged in her singing by the Rev. King, Sr. and went on to sing with the Houston Grand Opera. They will be joined by Broadway and film performer Roosevelt André Credit and world renowned opera star Simon Estes. Learn more.

People are also encouraged to reflect upon our complex history and how we might best honor Dr. King’s legacy. Iowa Campus Compact shares these resources to explore:

Please contact Amanda Martin, Assistant Director for Community Engaged Learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu or 515-271-2767 for more information.

Strategic Updates Archive

Democratic presidential debate parking update

Today (Tuesday, Jan. 14) Drake will host a nationally-televised live Democratic presidential candidate debate in Sheslow Auditorium, sponsored by CNN, the Democratic National Committee, and The Des Moines Register.

The debate will bring a large number of people to campus, including audience members, national media, campaign staff, and others. This creates a substantial amount of logistical planning, as well as parking and security concerns that all members of the campus community should be aware of. Please make note of the following:

  • The Bell Center gym is restricted and open to only media today and tomorrow. The Bell Center is the site of the “spin room” where reporters can talk with the candidates and representatives following the debate.
  • Old Main will close at noon today for security reasons and reopen tomorrow morning.
  • Parking Lot 13 (South of Forest Avenue and adjacent to the Ray Promenade) is closed to campus today and reserved for media.
  • Parking Lot 1A (adjacent to the Dial Center) is designated as the campaign visibility area. Parking is unavailable today through the end of the event.
  • Parking Lots 16 (Olmsted Center) & 24 (Aliber Hall) are open to debate attendees as well as University Community members.
  • The block of Carpenter Avenue west of 25th Street is closed today through the conclusion of the event.
  • There will be a heightened police presence on campus today. Also, expect some traffic delays and temporary road closures as candidates and reporters arrive to campus.

Thank you for your help in ensuring that this is a positive experience for all of the individuals visiting campus, as well as for all members of our campus community.

— Scott Law, Director, Public Safety & Operational Services