All posts by Ashton Hockman

HR Information Archive

New benefit enrollment process for Drake employees

Human Resources is excited to introduce eBenefits Edge – an online benefit enrollment program. This program, which will streamline the benefit enrollment process, will be launched during Drake’s upcoming annual open enrollment period.  Implementation of eBenefits Edge demonstrates Human Resources commitment to pursue continuous improvement in its service to the Drake Community. Following are anticipated outcomes as a result of this change:

Employee Enhancements
Implementation of online benefit enrollment will allow for 24/7 access; employees may elect benefits whenever and wherever they choose. The eBenefits Edge program will provide a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate process when making benefit elections during open enrollment as well as life event changes throughout the year. In addition, eBenefits Edge will serve as a confidential record keeper, allowing employees to view current/previous benefit participation.  Employees will likewise be able to access medical, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance summary plan descriptions in the eBenefits Edge Reference Center, as well as review required notices provided by Human Resources.

Strategic Enhancements
Implementation of eBenefits Edge will afford Human Resources staff added time to provide outreach to Drake faculty and staff.  It will likewise provide the opportunity for Human Resources to pursue additional strategic initiatives.  Providing access to online benefit enrollment will also support the ability of the University to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce by moving from a benefit-centered orientation to a true onboarding experience.  Implementation of eBenefits Edge will reduce paper costs and overall inefficiency via electronic submission of data to Drake’s HR/Payroll system and multiple insurance vendors.

Human Resources staff look forward to assisting Drake employees during the upcoming transition to eBenefits Edge. Please be sure to watch your email for additional information regarding the transition later this month.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Featured Events Archive

Solving Art Mysteries through Chemistry

Event info: Friday, Oct. 19, 12–12:50 p.m., Harvey Ingham 134

Dr. Gregory Smith will speak about his use of science to unravel mysteries surrounding the artworks at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Using a range of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and imaging techniques, his team employs the tools of chemistry to discover lost paintings, explore the material history of objects, and detect forgeries. The lecture will explore the various roles that chemists can play in a fine arts museum, culminating in recent research repurposing the world’s oldest manmade pigment – Egyptian blue first synthesized in 3200 BCE – as a luminescent fingerprint dusting powder to catch modern-day criminals.

Dr. Smith received a B.S. degree from Centre College of Kentucky in anthropology/sociology and chemistry before pursuing graduate studies at Duke University in time-domain vibrational spectroscopy and archaeological fieldwork. His postgraduate training included investigations of pigment degradation processes and palette studies of illuminated manuscripts at the British Library and the V & A Museum, development of synchrotron infrared microscopy facilities at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven, and researching cleaning issues related to artists’ acrylic emulsion paints at the National Gallery of Art. In 2004, Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the conservation training program at Buffalo State College as the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Conservation Science. In 2010 Dr. Smith was hired as the senior conservation scientist at the Indianapolis Museum of Art where he has constructed a state-of-the-art research facility to study and preserve the museum’s encyclopedic collection of nearly 56,000 works of art.

Alice Fynaardt, Biology/Environmental Science Departments

News & Achievements Archive

PR students present at international conference

Students from Drake’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) were invited to present at the international PRSSA conference in Austin, Texas, Oct. 7–9. The student conference is held in conjunction with the annual professional public relations conference.

Seniors Karoline Sandusky, Emma Haselhuhn, Meghan Kearney and Ellen Converse, and junior Ben Heinze presented on “Fundraising and Financial Education.” Only a handful of PRSSA chapters among the 300 international chapters are invited to present at the conference every year, and Drake students have been invited in four of the past five years.

Kathleen Richardson, SJMC

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Social: Joyful Accountability Nominations Open

Prior to the next Drake Social, faculty and staff may nominate colleagues who exemplify the Drake Core Value of Joyful Accountability. To nominate someone, send the colleague’s name and a sentence describing how this Drake employee exemplifies the core value. Names of those nominated will be on display at the Social.

From among those nominated, three winners will be drawn to select from a menu of prizes that include such things as casual-work-week privileges, gift cards, a premier parking space for a month, office breakfast, or homemade baked goods – to name a few.

For October, please nominate a colleague who exemplifies Joyful Accountability—who strives each day to be their best, who is curious, creative, bold and brave. To nominate someone, email drinda.williams@drake.edu with the name of the colleague and a sentence that captures their Joyful Accountability. Nominations for Joyful Accountability much be received by Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The October Drake Social will be held Friday, Oct. 19, from 4–6 p.m. on the FAC Arcade with a popcorn bar, cider, and soft drinks. (This is one of two alcohol-free socials this year.)

Other core values will be featured Dec. 13, Generosity of Spirit; Feb. 13, All in This Together; and March 6, Commitment to Mission.

Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Featured Events Archive

Sprout Garden End of Season Harvest Celebration

Join us Oct. 21 from 12–1:30 p.m. at the Sprout Garden, located east of The Knapp Center on Forest Ave., for an afternoon of delicious recipes, an informative garden speaker, and the chance to celebrate the abundant season that the Sprout Garden has had this season. All are welcome to learn more about the garden and it’s mission, all while enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

Laura Harris, AS’20

Featured Events Archive

Food for Change documentary

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6–8 p.m. in the Sussman Theatre the Food For Change documentary will be shown. It is an 82-minute documentary film focusing on food co-ops as a force for dynamic social and economic change in American culture. This is the first film to examine the important historical role played by food co-ops, their pioneering quest for organic foods, and their current efforts to create regional food systems. Put on by Iowa Food Cooperative, Drake Environmental Action League, the Social Justice Living Learning Community, and Next Course Food Recovery, this event will feature both the film and an engaging discussion to follow.

Brittany Freeman, AS’21

HR Information Archive

BUILD for Managers: Raising the Bar

One of the most important responsibilities of managers is to provide employees frequent, straightforward, and timely feedback and coaching for a clear understanding of how performance is viewed. In this ATW session, participants will learn how both feedback and coaching are used to reinforce good performance and redirect poor performance. An easy to apply model is presented and participants will learn how to apply the approach to a real work situation. Register here.

This session will be Tuesday, October 16, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm in Olmsted 310-311. Participants will receive  1.5 credits toward BUILD.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

BUILD: Hot Topics in Higher Ed

Historically, higher education has been a gateway to individual growth and opportunity, as well as an accelerator for social and economic progress.  The current social, political and economic landscape presents new challenges to how universities define themselves and continue to meet the needs of individuals and society.  Attend this session, presented by Dr. Rachel Dykstra Boon, Chief Academic Officer at the Board of Regents, to increase your awareness of some of the Hot Topics that institutions, such as Drake University, are addressing.Registration is not required, but helpful. Register here. 

This session will be Wednesday, October 10, from  1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Olmsted 310-311. Participants will receive 1.5 credits towards BUILD.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

For Students Archive

More Changes at Quad Creek

The United States uses 500 million straws a day. With many ending up in our waterways and wreaking havoc on ecosystems, Drake Dining is working with student organizations to explore initiatives that reduce our plastic waste. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 9, straws and lids will not be available at the Quad drink station. We encourage all students to reflect on whether they need a straw and lid. Students who would like or need these items can ask their cashier. Live dangerously. Skip the straw and lid today! Let us know what you think at https://drake.sodexomyway.com/contact/feedback.

Gabriella LeFevre, Environmental Action League Co-President