All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service Awards: nominations now being accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 29. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Distinguished Community Service Award
Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

  • A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service
  • An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation
  • Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others”
  • The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake

Employee Excellence Award
The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

  • Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
  • Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
  • Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
  • Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University 
  • The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu. The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. 

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2019 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 9 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist

HR Information Archive

Preventive care services

In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, Drake’s Health Plan must provide preventive care services. Drake’s Plan utilizes United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines as the defined list of preventive services covered under the Affordable Care Act. As this list of preventive services evolves, Drake’s Plan will adjust its benefit coverage accordingly. 

It is important to note Drake’s Health Plan provides preventive care at no cost share when services are performed by in-network providers. However, cost sharing is assessed when participants obtain preventive care services from non-network providers. View a list of preventive services.

Marlene Heuertz, Benefits Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

ICYMI: Update on Big Ideas

The following message was sent to campus from President Martin on Monday, Feb. 11.

Good afternoon,

In November, we launched the Big Ideas initiative to collect multidisciplinary, bold, ambitious, ideas from faculty, staff, and students that, if given the necessary resources, have the potential to dramatically transform Drake and positively impact the world. The deadline for submitting a Big Idea is this Friday, Feb. 15. So far, we have received fourteen proposals that span several disciplines and address issues facing the University, our Greater Des Moines community, and the world. In addition, I have heard from several individuals who are in the final stages of developing and defining their submission. It is important to remember that it is okay for ideas to be conceptual in nature at this stage. Ideas chosen to move forward will be expanded, investigated, and developed into white papers later in the process.

To everyone who has taken the initiative to participate in this process and shown great enthusiasm in advancing Drake’s future, thank you. The Big Ideas initiative is a reflection of our Core Values and collaborative culture: going all in on ideas that can truly further Drake and the greater good.

Following Friday’s submission deadline, the Big Ideas Steering Committee – comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and Board representatives – will diligently review and discuss all ideas based on the scoring criteria: transformative impact, increases institutional recognition, fosters campus collaboration, builds off current strengths and potential, and aligns with the Continuous Improvement Plan. As part of the review, the Steering Committee may make recommendations to combine or re-envision proposals to increase their feasibility and impact. The Board of Trustees will evaluate the scored and recommended ideas during their April meeting. The Steering Committee will then notify and provide comprehensive and personal feedback to submitters on whether their idea was chosen to advance to the next stage in the process.

Ideas moving forward in the process will be announced to campus in May and then further developed into white papers. Once refined, the ideas will undergo feasibility studies and be marketed to external stakeholders, including prospective donors. Those ideas that demonstrate funding potential will become a priority in the next comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Throughout the course of the review, the Steering Committee is committed to a thorough and transparent selection process. Please reach out to a member of the Steering Committee for questions or utilize the comments form on the Big Ideas website. Thank you to everyone involved in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Marty

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Road Trip to Drake: Wear Drake Blue Monday

Road Trip to Drake, formerly known as the Chicago Bus Trip, is a 15+ year tradition and we want everyone to be a part of it. This Sunday and Monday, Drake is hosting over 180 prospective high school seniors for an overnight visit that will help solidify that Drake is the place they all will call home next fall. Let’s showcase why we love being a bulldog and why we bleed blue. On Monday, Feb. 18, we ask that all faculty/staff wear Drake blue.

Josefina Lopez Valdivia, Admission Counselor

For Students Archive

Career Fair Thursday

The Drake University Career Fair will be held Thursday, Feb. 14, in the Olmsted Center.  You can review a list of the organizations attending by logging into Handshake and clicking on the Career Fair (under “Events”).  Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume!

Career Fair Times:
Open to only seniors and O3: 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Open to all students: 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Professional attire required. No jeans or sweatpants.

Men: Suit and tie. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers, a button down shirt, tie or blazer/sport-coat.

Women: Suit, if you don’t own a suit, wear dress pants or skirt and a nice blouse or sweater/blazer.

If you are uncertain about what to wear or have questions about the event, please contact your designated career staff.

Chrystal Stanley, Director of Professional & Career Development Services

For Students Archive

Upcoming activities in the Innovation Studio

Vinyl Sticker Creation Day: Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 1– 4 p.m.
Join Professor Chris Snider in the Innovation Studio (Meredith, 124C) to learn about our Silhouette Cameo and create your own vinyl stickers.

3D Printing and Prototyping: Thursday, Feb. 21, 3–5 p.m.
Join Brandon Hart, HartSmart Products, in the Innovation studio to learn about 3D printing and prototyping. If you have an idea for a product or item, Hart also leads Area 515’s 3D Printing Club and is a great community resource for all things 3D.

Sindoh 3DWOX: Friday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Innovation Studio
Join Innovation and Entrepreneurship intern Amulya Kakumanu to learn how to use the Innovation Studio’s Sindoh 3DWOX. Amulya will help you learn about 3D printing on campus.

Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

HR Information Archive

2019-2020 holiday schedule

Drake provides eligible employees up to 8.5 days of paid holiday leave each year. While reviewing the calendar for the upcoming fiscal year, the timing of holidays during 2019 presented an opportunity for Drake to provide additional paid time off. 

Consequently, this year, Drake University has decided to sponsor additional paid leave by extending the Fourth of July holiday (to also include Friday, July 5th) – and the Holiday Break (to also include Monday, December 23rd.) We hope everyone enjoys this additional time away to celebrate with friends and family.

View the 2019-2020 Holiday Schedule.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Share how you are engaging alumni

Alumni want to stay connected to Drake by contributing to today’s student experience. Do you plan to have an alumnus speak in your classroom, participate in a career fair, serve on a panel, or mentor a student this semester?

If your answer is yes, there is an easy way to let Alumni Relations know so we can measure engagement, track interests, and communicate opportunities with our alumni. Please use the online form on the University Advancement Web page, or the link on myDrake under Employee Quick Links to submit your alumni engagement.

This past year we received notice that alumni volunteered in Drake classes more than 215 times. Please help us again this semester by using the submission form and helping us track this important alumni engagement.

Andy Verlengia, Director of Alumni Relations

HR Information Archive

2019 wellness screening information

Those on Drake’s health plan can qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2020 by completing a wellness screen in 2019. This is a savings in premiums of approximately $30 per month. There are three screening options:

1. Complete a physical with your health care provider and fill out a “2019 Physician Exam Completion Form” (available Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2019)
2. Complete a screening at a participating Hy-Vee location and fill out a “2019 Hy-Vee Wellness Screening Completion Form” (available July 1 through Sept. 30)
3. Complete a screening on campus through UnityPoint Health (online registration form opens early September with screening dates in October)

Option 1 is available now. If you choose this option, complete these steps:

• Take a copy of the “2019 Physician Exam Completion Form” to your appointment. This form is different from past physician forms. It does not contain biometric information. Contact Linda Feiden for a copy of this form.
• You and your physician both fill out and sign the form. 
• Send the completed form directly to Linda Feiden in Human Resources. This is a change from past years. The form must be received by Oct. 15, 2019.

Please note: If you complete your screening/physical by Sept. 30, your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Men’s Basketball Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day

Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets to the Men’s Basketball game vs. Valparaiso on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Knapp Center. Tickets may be picked up at the Knapp Center Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

Ryan Harris, Athletics