The Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership is looking for a self-starter to work with student organizations. View job details.
Applications are due March 6 at 5 p.m. For questions, email student.life@drake.edu.
Riley Fox , PH’19
All posts by Ashton Hockman
Advertising students win gold, silver in local AAF contest
Senior Josie Carrabine won four gold awards, including Student Best of Show, and Spanish exchange student Paula Aguirre won a silver award in the local American Advertising Federation of America Des Moines contest, presented at the annual banquet. Josie also won awards for direct marketing, art direction (campaign) and integrated brand identity campaign. Paula won in the print advertising category. Josie’s work will move on to the regional contest.
Kathleen Richardson, dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum
Attend a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. in Sussman Theater. This will be an opportunity to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives going on around campus, explore some of the challenges and successes Drake has had in this area, and get your questions answered. We will also be unveiling parts of our new diversity, equity, and inclusion website during the forum. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend.
Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost
Social Media Directory audit
The Drake University Social Media Directory displays the URLs for every Drake University affiliated social media page. Take a look around to see what departments have pages, follow them, and invite your friends to follow along. While you’re looking around, let us know if your department page has changed. Maybe you have a department name change, you want a new cover photo, or you don’t see your URL on the directory at all. Either way, let us know how we can help by emailing Niki Smith at niki.smith@drake.edu.
Also, there is a student social media directory for all student organizations. Niki Smith is also the contact for that directory if you see anything to add or update within the URLs linked.
Niki Smith, University Communications & Marketing
Nelson Project to break ground, parking lots to close
The Nelson Construction & Development project across from Old Main, which will include a new hotel, retail space, and restaurant is set to break ground in March.
Effective March 11, the parking lots south of University across from Old Main and Cole Hall between 26th and 27th Street (Lots 5 and 8) will not be available to Drake commuters. Commuters can refer to the Drake University Map for alternative parking options.
Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer
Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership is hiring
The Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership is looking for a self-starter to work with student organizations. View job details.
Applications are due March 6 at 5 p.m. For questions, email student.life@drake.edu.
Riley Fox , PH’19
Volunteers needed for Exercise Your Character April 9
Volunteers are needed to help welcome more than 10,000 fourth and fifth graders at Exercise Your Character 2019. In partnership with Hy-Vee, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University is seeking volunteers for Tuesday, April 9, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines.
All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch. The event celebrates good character and includes keynote speakers, music, and fun. Past speakers have included Stefon Diggs, Shawn Johnson, Adam Thielen, and more.
To volunteer, email Hilary at hilary.ortmann@drake.edu and include your T-shirt size. Family and friends ages 18 and up are welcome to register with Drake faculty and staff.
Hilary Ortmann, Assistant Director at The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center
Summer course materials due March 15
Faculty, please submit your course material requests for summer by March 15. Receiving your list of materials as soon as possible allows us to source the most affordable books for your students and provide top dollar for students selling books back at the end of this term. With our Online Adoption Tool, selecting your course materials is fast and easy.
Access the Online Adoption Tool
1. Visit www.drake.bkstr.com
2. Go to Books in the top navigation and under the Information heading, click Online Adoptions.
3. If you need additional training to use the Online Adoption Tool, contact Donna Hallstrom at donna.hallstrom@drake.edu.
New User?
1. Follow the steps listed above.
2. Click on New? Register Here and complete the required fields.
3. Enter 1623 in the Bookstore Supplied Password field.
Download the 6 Ways to Help Students Save on Textbooks to learn about Follett’s different types of course material purchasing options. If you have any questions about the Online Adoption Tool or how to save students money, contact Donna Hallstrom at donna.hallstrom@drake.edu.
Donna Hallstrom, Course Materials Manager
February’s featured digital faculty member: Alanah Mitchell
Each month a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. February’s digital faculty member of the month is Alanah Mitchell, associate professor of Information Systems, College of Business and Public Administration. Read an interview with Alanah below:
Which course do you use this technology in?
IS 160: Database Management. In this course, required for all Information Systems students as well as Data Analytics students, we cover foundational database concepts and technologies. It’s also open to students in other majors where students are encouraged to understand data and where and how it’s stored and accessed.
What type of technology do you use?The students in this class learn Structured Query Language (SQL). We use technologies including a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Citrix Workspace, MySQL, MySQL Workbench, Microsoft Vizio, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerBI, and Tableau.
In what context do you use this technology?
Students work in groups to design and implement their own database using real data. Groups begin by identifying data they want to use and developing a data model in Microsoft Visio to present their database plans. The initial data models are converted to specific database design using MySQL Workbench. They then use SQL to create the tables and data in a MySQL database. Additional work is done to identify interesting questions and answers with the data. Finally, groups develop visualizations using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerBI, and Tableau.
How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy?Understanding the theoretical foundations of database management is important. However, having the hands-on experience is the best way to really understand “why” as well as other best practices in database management. I don’t expect that every student in this course will go on to work as a database administrator (DBA); however, the majority of the students in this course will work with data and database administrators.
How long did it take for you to implement this technology?
Immediately upon my arrival at Drake, four years ago, I was able to identify the right people in ITS to help me. ITS was able to make a server available with the necessary software for my students to learn hands-on. I am really happy with the ongoing success of this arrangement.
Did ITS assist you in implementing this technology? If so, how?
Every semester ITS helps me create both individual and group storage accounts to make this class successful. The help desk also assists students with initial setup or connection issues.
Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS staff? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.
Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS
March Drake Social: nominate colleagues for commitment to mission
The Provost’s next Drake Social is fast approaching, scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, from 4–6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite.
Faculty and staff who are great examples of our fourth Drake Core Value will be honored. Nominations are due to Drinda Williams by Monday, March 4, at drinda.williams@drake.edu.
All Staff Council will be hosting a faculty/staff Trivia Night during the last hour of the social. All are invited to join a table for the fun! See the separate story on Trivia Night.
Commitment to Mission is defined as: We are united in service to our students and communities. We are optimistic about our future, and act with integrity and purpose as we deliver on our mission. Watch a video to learn what Commitment to Mission means to those around campus.
Drinda Williams, Academic Support Specialist, Office of the Provost