All posts by Ashton Hockman

Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship week continues

If you missed Station 1 Record’s Showcase or the Community Coffee, don’t worry, we have you covered. There are still a few events to go this week where you can learn about innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship across campus.

Wednesday, Oct. 31 – Join the Drake Innovators in the Innovation Studio (124C Meredith) at 5 p.m. for pizza and then embark on a scavenger hunt that will have you searching across campus for secret items! There are two $25 Amazon cards and other prizes!

Thursday, Nov. 1 – Come to Upper Olmsted to hear Dr. Stacy Gnacinski give a talk about her research on performance psychology.

Friday, Nov. 2 – First, the 2018 Lorentzen Hatchery cohort will be speaking about their experience in the Hatchery and about growing their businesses over the last several months. We will have special guests from the community as well as Mr. John Lorentzen (Drake B.A. and B.S.B.A in Political Science, Economics, and Management, 1977). The presentations start at 9 a.m. in Levitt Hall, Old Main, and continue until about 11 a.m.

Then join us in the Cowles Library Reading Room at 2 p.m. for the Creativity and Innovation Fair. Find out about the innovative projects that students from across campus are working on. We will also have special guests from Hoover High School talking about their entrepreneurial research and projects.

Saturday, Nov. 3 – The Bark Tank Pitch Competition. The Bark Tank is a fast-paced pitch competition where students pitch their innovation or business idea, or their existing business, to a panel of community judges for up to $750 in prizes. Visit tank or check the Drake University official calendar for more information and to register.

If you have any questions about any of these events, they can be found on the Drake University Calendar, on Facebook, or email innovation@drake.edu.

Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers

Open enrollment period ongoing

Drake’s Annual Open Enrollment Period began Oct. 19.  If you haven’t already done so, please visit the Benefits Portal in myDrake to make benefit elections for the 2019 Plan Year.

As noted previously, you are not required to visit the Benefits Portal if you do not wish to make changes to your medical, dental, or wellness participation.  However, if you wish to participate in Drake’s flexible spending account plans during 2019, YOU MUST make a new election in the Benefits Portal. Additionally, it is important to ensure your basic and voluntary life insurance beneficiary information is correct in the Benefits Portal.

Please note you will periodically receive emails from Drake’s online benefit enrollment system during the annual open enrollment period. Emails promoted by eBenefits Edge will be provided via the address below, and should not be disregarded as SPAM.

SBDEBEANALYST <SBDEBEANALYST@exchange.principal.com>

Should you have questions, please contact Diana at 515-271-1871 or Marlene at 515-271-1901. Benefit elections for the 2019 Plan Year must be made on or before Nov. 30, 2018.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Psychology and Neuroscience Research Panel

Join Psi Chi, Drake’s psychology honor society, as we hold a panel with representatives of the psychology and neuroscience department research labs on Monday, Oct. 30, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in Olin, Room 101.

The panel is designed to bring awareness to the different types of research laboratories in the psychology and neuroscience department in order for students to have the opportunity to become involved in research, learn more about their respective faculty members, and gain overall research insight.

We will discuss current projects from each lab and talk about opportunities for student research assistants.

Each faculty member will speak about the different kinds of research occurring in his or her laboratory and there will be time at the end for an open question format.

In addition, attendees will be provided with pamphlets outlining each faculty member’s research laboratory.

Learn about the opportunities available for you!

Breya Whitefield, AS’18

Olmsted Halloween Spooktacular

This Halloween, SAB and RHA are hosting our first ever Spooktacular! From 7–9 p.m., all of Olmsted will be filled with frights. Creep on over for Student Group Performances, Free Movie: Hereditary (7 p.m. in Sussman Theater), Zombie Burger Bar, Costume Contest, Pumpkin Painting, Silent Disco, Laser Tag, Escape Room, and, of course, PRIZES! Bring a Drake ID for entry.

Adam Koch, AS’21

There’s still time to take the ITS student phishing quiz

Now through Nov. 2, ITS is holding our Student Phishing Quiz, a contest where Drake students can learn about how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites and learn how to keep their information safe online. The first 500 people to take the quiz will win a certificate for a free taco courtesy of Taco John’s. Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered to win one of ten additional prize packages.

There are still some tacos left, so act quickly. Visit www.drake.edu/its/phish today.

Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Survey of Administrative Services update

Thank you to all who participated in the Survey of Administrative Services.  Your feedback has been immensely helpful as we pursue our goal to elevate service excellence.

The results have been shared with each applicable unit leader with the intent to:

  • Celebrate the positives
  • Constructively view the negatives
  • Prioritize areas for improvement

The survey tool itself is not punitive, rather in keeping with our Generosity of Spirit, it assists us to continuously improve. In the coming months, you’ll see each applicable unit sharing back on the bullet points above.

As always, please ask questions—my door is always open.

Nate Reagen, Office of the President

Chili Cook Off finalists’ recipes

Thank you everyone who attended another successful Chili Cook off event.  Please enjoy the recipes from the top 3 winners:

Chili Recipe provided by Joe Campos (winner of the 2018 contest)

Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized onion
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 1-2 cloves diced garlic
  • Drizzle of olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 1 can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • ½ a packet chili seasoning
  • 24oz of your favorite liquid (I like beer)
  • 1-2 cups frozen corn
  • 2 cans Great Northern Beans
  • ½ a can of Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • Tablespoon of Oregano (optional)
  • Sour Cream or Mexican Crema
  1. So, you’ve decided to make chili. This will undoubtedly be the best decision you’ve made today. Let’s start by dicing up that onion and bell pepper into medium sized pieces.
  2. Now that you’re probably crying from the onion, it’s a good time to turn on some music and set the scene. Dancing while you cook has been shown to make food taste better.
  3. Drizzle that olive oil into a sturdy pot and let it warm. Once warm, add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and sauté over medium heat.
  4. Once the onions are translucent, add the ground turkey and brown that turkey until it’s cooked through and through. Dance like no one is watching.
  5. If you haven’t gathered all your ingredients yet, do that now and start opening all the cans so you don’t have to do that later.
  6. Now that the turkey is browned, add in the tomato paste and stir it up real good. It’s going to be thick. Heat the meat/tomato paste combination up. A little charring on the bottom of the pot is okay. It’ll add flavor.
  7. Stir in your 1 packet of taco seasoning and ½ packet of chili seasoning. No, I don’t know where you can get a half packet of chili seasoning- just eyeball it.
  8. Prepare your liquids. It can be chicken stock or water, or beer (which is what I use). But probably not wine. If you use wine and it turns out great, drop me a line.
  9. Add that liquid to the pot and stir stir stir. Any charred bits at the bottom should come up. Now would also be a good time to have a liquid of your own- it’s important to hydrate. Chef’s choice (I think you know what I’ll be having).
  10. Once the pot is bubbling at a low boil, add in the can of petite diced tomatoes.
  11. If you haven’t yet, put the beans in a colander and rinse them with cold water.
  12. Once that’s done, add the beans and corn to the pot as well. You should probably give it a good stir.
  13. Take half the can of chipotle peppers and dice them up real small. They’re in the adobo sauce and pretty tender so it shouldn’t take much to dice them up. Add the chopped chipotle peppers and any sauce that’s left on the cutting board and add it to the pot. Stir.
  14. You should still be at medium heat. Once it’s boiling at a good pace, turn it down to low enough just to keep it simmering. Simmer down now, simmer down.
  15. How’s that liquid? Time for a new one?
  16. After about 10 minutes on a low simmer add the oregano to the pot and stir it in. I do not think you need to do this, but I do it, and I won so who are you to question the recipe? Plus my grandmother said it helps with digestion. She’s the one who I learned it from.
  17. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes until everything is cooked through and tasty. Sample your wares with a clean spoon (each time!) and decide when it’s ready.
  18. Serve in bowls with a generous helping of sour cream or Mexican crema.
  19. Grab another beverage
  20. Find someone else to do dishes. You’ve just made a delicious hearty chili and had fun whilst you did it. Good job!

 

Chili Recipe provided by Sandra Harris

  • 2 28 oz. cans of crushed/diced tomatoes
  • 28 oz. can of chili beans
  • Green pepper
  • Poblano pepper
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sausage
  • Hamburger
  • Worscheshire sauce (4 or 5 tbl)
  • Tabasco   (dash)
  • Liquid smoke (2 tbl)
  • Chili powder (2 tbl)
  • Cayenne Pepper (light sprinkle)
  • Coriander (1 tsp)
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Cumin (1 tsp)

I usually use 1 lb each of hamburger and sausage.  I do not drain the beans or the tomatoes.  Everything else that doesn’t specify an amount – I simply do to taste!

 

Pete’s World Famous Turkey Chili

(As Interpreted by Drinda Williams)

  • ½ large onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • Salt and pepper; additional spices as you wish
  • 1 can chopped chilies
  • 1 can chopped tomatoes with chilies
  • 1 can Bush’s Chili Magic beans
  • Red Pepper flakes to taste
  • Chicken stock (if needed)
  • Handful of green olives, sliced
  • Fritos for garnish
  • Shredded cheese for garnish

Sauté onion and pepper until onion starts to caramelize, add garlic. Add turkey and stir around until it’s crumbed and no longer pink. Salt and pepper and additional spices to taste. Stir in all canned items and red pepper flakes, simmer. If it needs liquid add chicken stock. Serve with the Fritos and cheese.

-Heidi Weiss, University Advancement

Sidewalk closure near Boys and Girls Club

MidAmerican Energy has scheduled their work related to the overhead power line removal and light pole replacement on the south side of Forest Avenue. The commencement date is Oct. 29 (weather permitting) and we expect the work to take approximately four weeks.

Weitz will provide ‘Sidewalk Closed’ signage to designate the closure as shown on the attached plan. If the weather cooperates and the work goes as planned the sidewalk will reopen Nov. 23. Weitz is also adding a sidewalk closure sign at 25th Street and Carpenter on the west side of 25th Street. This will help direct pedestrians across 25th Street prior to getting to the site.

Michelle Huggins, Facilities Planning and Management

 

Joyful Accountability winners chosen at Drake Social

It was a warm but breezy autumn afternoon for the Drake Social, Friday, Oct. 19, in the FAC Arcade. Attendees enjoyed a popcorn bar, hot apple cider, and lemonade.

From the list of over 40 nominees for faculty or staff who exemplify Joyful Accountability, three winners were randomly drawn by Provost Sue Mattison. Winners and prizes were: Evan Favrea, office breakfast; Erica Hartschen, St. Kilda’s gift card; and Venessa Macro, lavender bread.

The next Drake Social will kick off International Education Week, Monday, Nov. 12. There will be a 3:30 p.m. Town Hall meeting to highlight International Education Week, and the Social from 4–6 p.m.

Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Study sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa next summer

If you want to know more about how you can experience a life-changing adventure while studying sustainable development in Uganda, join Professor Glenn McKnight on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 9 p.m. in Meredith, Room 235, or Dr. Deb Bishop on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. in Aliber, Room 102.

This six-unit summer 2019 travel seminar is open to students of all majors, and students can choose their area of focus as it relates to sustainable development. Students have the unique opportunity to experience Uganda alongside local university students from Makerere University Business School, and will learn about many topics with hands-on experiences including: human rights, education, microfinance, health care, tourism, entrepreneurship, rural agriculture, etc. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with in-country partners on research or service-learning projects of their choosing.

Questions? Email Professor McKnight (glenn.mcknight@drake.edu) or Dr. Deb Bishop (deb.bishop@drake.edu).

Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers