ITS recently completed a semester long survey of first-year student’s expectations for campus technology. Congratulations to PMAC Cole Bradshaw and first year student Abigail Rye for winning the grand prizes for their participation in the survey.
The survey gauged the overall awareness and satisfaction of campus technology, especially in the classroom. The results will help Drake ITS and the University in better allocating technology resources across campus.
—James McNab, ITS
Health Plan participants will receive new Wellmark ID cards later this month. The cards will reference the new specialist office visit co-payment effective Jan. 1, 2019. If you do not receive a new Wellmark ID card by Dec. 31, please contact Wellmark at 800-622-0005.
—Marlene Heuertz, Benefits Specialist
Drake University Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night
Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa
Friday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.
Knapp Center
All Drake University Faculty/Staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets to a Women’s Basketball game versus Iowa on Friday, Dec. 21. 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 please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.
—Ryan Harris, Athletics
A limited number of student tickets are available for the Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday, Dec. 15. The Drake Men’s Basketball team will play the Iowa State Cyclones at Wells Fargo Arena. Drake undergrad and graduate students may claim one free student-section ticket by visiting the Knapp Center Ticket Office and showing a valid Drake Card during regular business hours Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This ticket will give you access to both games: Drake vs. Iowa State at 3:30 p.m. and UNI vs. Iowa at 6 p.m.
For more information please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.
—Ryan Harris, Athletics
All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend its Holiday Cheer gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 12, near the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. Faculty and staff are welcome to come and go as they please from 9 to 11 a.m.
Guests can enjoy a hot chocolate bar and cookie decorating station. Griff will also be in attendance and ready for holiday photos.
If you bring at least one non-perishable food or other goods for Drake’s Free Little Food Pantries you will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a Drake Parking Pass. Drawing for the parking pass takes place at the end of the school year but the drawing for other prizes will take place immediately following Holiday Cheer.
This event is a chance to give back to others in the Drake community, while mingling with coworkers. Please take a moment to stop by, grab some cheer, and drop off a donation.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Last week, the University launched its Big Ideas initiative. The initiative invites faculty, staff, students, and volunteers to submit “big ideas” that have the potential to make a powerful and momentous impact on Drake, the region, and the world. The initiative invites the University community to take a shared ownership in defining Drake’s future.
During this initial phase of the project, and until the submission window opens Jan. 14, I urge all faculty and staff to think big and to be bold, and to help us envision the dynamic future of our University.
Positioning Drake as a great university
The Big Ideas initiative signifies our commitment to support a number of multidisciplinary, large-scale projects that have the potential to create a transformational impact by leveraging areas where Drake already is uniquely positioned to lead. The proposals can cover a range of outcomes and impacts, varying from student-oriented to research-oriented to community-oriented. The submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Big Ideas Steering Committee, with select proposals being used by University Advancement to attract and inspire private giving in the years ahead.
Learn more
Visit the Big Ideas website to read more about the submission process and timeline. The website contains an FAQ to help you better understand the project. In addition, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the initiative at the faculty and staff social on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite. More communication will be shared about the process in the coming months.
I invite you to begin preparing a proposal for your Big Idea to help us solidify Drake as a leading institution for generations to come. Your vision, leadership, and creativity will help to elevate Drake University and the work and service you carry out each day.
John Smith, University Advancement
Drake’s campus came online through the its new virtual tour, available now for all current and prospective students. The walkthrough has several features, from 360 degree panoramas to videos to images of Griff. The online virtual tour provides students with a new way to engage and view the University. Particularly, the tool will be benefit prospective students who may not be able to easily visit campus in person, such as international students.
The tour is set up as a linear series of stops. Visitors begin in front of Old Main and can start their tour by:
Each stop begins with a 360 image of the location (keep an eye out for Griff, who is hiding in many of the panoramas). Click on the photos in the bottom right to see more images from the stop, including more panoramas, still shots, and videos. In all photos, click the “i” to find out more about the location.
If you’d like a guided tour, crank up the volume when you reach a panorama to learn more about the location. To visit the accessibility version, click the eye in the bottom right of the screen.
Within the tour, prospective students can click the “Schedule Visit” or “Apply Online” tabs on the top right to start their real-life Drake journey.
Ellen Koester, JO, AS’19
University Communications and Marketing is pleased to announce that newly branded business cards, letterhead, and envelopes are now available on the Woolverton, Mfg. e-store.
As with prior designs, there are many options to “personalize” this stationery, including this most requested addition—Griff’s photo as a business card “back side” option.
There is no need to dispose of existing inventory, so please work with colleagues in your department who have placed stationery orders in the past to personalize your items when the time comes to replenish your supply. If you have questions about who within your department has an account to place stationery orders, please check with your budget manager.
We don’t anticipate a price increase for business cards at this time, but we will see a bump for letterhead and envelopes due to stock prices and other costs that have risen over the years since the current designs were created.
Please contact Sara at extension 2169 with any questions you may have and meanwhile, view a sample of Drake letterhead and an envelope.
Sara Sommerlot, University Communications and Marketing
Have you ever been playing Monopoly and got stuck with the thimble instead of the race car? We all know that feeling. Come to the Innovation Studio in Meredith on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5–8 p.m. or on Dead Day, Friday, Dec. 7 and design your own game piece. Help us carve a chess board using our wood carver, and design and 3D print your own game piece that you can keep. Pizza and drinks will also be available on Dead Day. Can’t make it but want to know more about the Drake Innovators Club? Email Blake Trebelhorn at blake.trebelhorn@drake.edu.
Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers
View the Book Store’s hours of operation for finals week. Remember to return your fall rental books by Dec. 14. A Drake ID is required for book buyback.
December 10th – 11th 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
December 12th – 13th 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
December 14th 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
December 15th 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Katie Wilz,k University Book Store
