All posts by Ashton Hockman

Strategic Updates Archive

The time for your BIG Ideas is now

Drake’s Big Ideas submission period is open! The Big Ideas initiative calls upon Drake faculty, staff, and students to develop bold, forward-thinking ideas which dramatically advance Drake’s strengths and mission, and create momentum for the University’s next comprehensive campaign.

As you develop your Big Ideas, think about what will advance the University for decades to come. What will transform lives in our local communities, throughout our state, across the nation, or around the world? What will inspire students to forge meaningful personal lives and accomplished futures? No idea is too big.

For those who have already submitted a Big Idea or are in the process of forming a proposal, consider joining the Drake University Big Ideas Facebook Collaboration Group. The private Facebook group is a place where faculty and staff can collaborate and seek insight around which to enhance their Big Idea. In addition, submitters are encouraged to utilize members of the Big Ideas Steering Committee as a resource for support and feedback.

Proposals can be submitted on the Big Ideas website. The deadline is Feb. 15. For questions about the initiative, contact John Smith, vice president, University Advancement, at john.smith@drake.edu, or a member of the Big Ideas Steering Committee.

The Big Ideas initiative is an opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Thank you for your commitment to advancing the University.

John Smith, University Advancement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

In Memoriam: Diana Reed

Diana Reed, beloved faculty member, passed away on Jan. 9 in Des Moines. Diana taught organizational behavior, organizational theory, and business management in the College of Business and Public Administration since 1981, where she also served terms as assistant and associate dean.  She retired from Drake only two weeks ago due to deteriorating health.

Diana was known across campus and throughout the community for her dedication and commitment to service and engagement, evidenced by her leadership in Rotary and in receiving the Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award, among many other recognitions.  She was a true scholar educator.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, in West Des Moines, on Thursday, Jan. 17, with a visitation from 4–7 p.m., and a service of remembrance following at 7 p.m. Condolences and Diana’s full obituary can be found here.

Campus Announcements Archive

Tree Maintenance on Campus

Earlier this year, Facilities Planning and Management staff walked the campus with a registered arborist from Perficut Companies to develop a maintenance plan for trees on Drake’s campus.  The work includes crowning, pruning away from buildings, and removal.  The trees being removed have begun to decay and have become safety hazards. Removing them helps to preserve the health of remaining trees and maintains the safety of everyone who visits campus from falling limbs that have died. Perficut will be on campus over the next 2–3 weeks completing the tree work depending on weather and accessibility to the trees with equipment.  View a map to see the areas and trees in this year’s plan.  If you have questions, please contact Patrick Williams, grounds supervisor, or Aaron Edwards, building and grounds manager.

Aaron Edwards, Facilities Planning and Management

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, at 4:30 p.m. 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, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Student Services Center Update

As a new semester is starting, we wanted to provide an update that the Student Services Center will remain in the temporary location in Lower Hubbell Hall for the remainder of the spring semester. We will be happy to assist you with purchasing parking passes, paying parking citations, adding Bulldog Bucks to your account, picking up student payroll checks, or printing off new Drake ID cards. 

We’d also like to provide some helpful information regarding campus card access. Students from certain majors are granted extended access to buildings relating to their field of study—this is automated, and based off of either your major or specific classes in your schedule that may require access to a building. Students living in the residence halls also receive automated access to their hall, and ability to access other halls during the day.

Additional card access is available when needed, and includes an approval process and manual update (please be aware that some access is based on a specific approval process, and may not be granted). Most manual access updates are tied to specific campus jobs or research. If you think you are missing a plan, speak with your manager, main building contact, or submit an ITS Help Ticket so we can research your card issue. 

If your card is lost and needs to be replaced, you may purchase a new card in the Student Services Center. The lost card will be deactivated automatically upon printing of new card. If your card is no longer working (but has worked in the past), make sure that you are registered for your spring classes—cards will not function if you are not a current student or employee. Also make sure there are no cracks in the card—cracked cards cannot communicate with door readers, and will need to be replaced at the Student Services Center. 

Have a great semester, and feel free to reach out with questions or card issues.

Sara Heijerman, Student Services Manager

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Building Card Access Information

As a new semester is starting, we wanted to provide an update that the Student Services Center will remain in the temporary location in Lower Hubbell Hall for the remainder of the spring semester. 

We also want to provide some helpful information regarding campus card access. If you read the information below and feel you do not have the correct access on your Drake Card, please email studentservices@drake.edu so we can research your card issue. Please be aware that some access is based on a specific approval process, and may not be granted.

All Drake faculty and staff should have automated 24/7 exterior door access to the building that their office is in, and also have extended 6 a.m.–11 p.m. exterior access to other academic buildings for meetings/classes.

Additional card access is available when needed, and includes an approval process and manual update. Most manual access updates are tied to specific campus jobs or research. If you think you are missing a plan, speak with your manager, main building contact, or use one of the contact methods mentioned above for additional information. 

Lost cards are generally turned in at the Student Services Center, and cardholders are notified via email when they are found and available to pick up. If your card is lost and needs to be replaced, you may purchase a new card in the Student Services Center. The lost card will be deactivated automatically upon printing of new card. If your card is no longer working (but has worked in the past), check to see if there are small cracks in the card—cracked cards cannot communicate with door readers, and will need to be replaced at the Student Services Center. 

Have a great semester, and feel free to reach out with questions or card issues.

Sara Heijerman, Student Services Manager

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Hubbell $5 lunch deal every Wednesday

Drake faculty and staff can enjoy lunch for just $5 at Hubbell Dining Hall South every Wednesday throughout the remainder of J-Term and the spring semester! Hubbell provides healthy choices, hot soup, full salad bar, and more, and it is located just 5 minutes from almost anywhere on campus. Save your parking spot and celebrate Hump Day at Hubbell. We’ll see you Wednesday!

Jennifer Bowersox, Drake University Dining

HR Information Archive

Join Weight Watchers at Work

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, then Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution. 

Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. Weight Watchers unique mix of face-to-face interactions with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace have helped faculty and staff to be successful in their weight loss goals. 

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 paying participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments. 

If you are interested in joining a Weight Watchers at Work series during the spring term, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources