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
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
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
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
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
As part of the Drake University wellness program, a biometric screening is offered once a year to faculty and staff who participate in Drake’s Medical Benefit Plan. The screening includes a full cholesterol profile, blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, and a consultation with a health care professional.
The goal of this program is to provide faculty and staff with valuable insight on current and potential medical issues, determine the person’s risk for chronic preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, and identify strategies for improved health and well-being. Participating faculty and staff also receive a wellness premium discount which in 2019 is a savings of nearly $30 per month.
If you are on Drake’s health plan, and haven’t yet screened in 2018, use the online registration form to schedule your appointment today. To access the screening schedule, log in with the username DRAKE and password SCREEN (in all caps). The screenings will be held between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center on Oct. 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17.
All participating faculty and staff who completed their screening by the early bird date were placed in a prize drawing. The winners are Lauren Breman and Paul Clancy. Each will be sent a link to a wellness catalog to select the prize of their choosing. Congratulations!
For questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.
Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Experienced fundraiser Matt Lyons has joined the Drake University athletics staff and will serve as senior associate athletics director for external affairs, Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin announced Thursday.
Lyons will serve as the primary fundraiser for the athletics department and will oversee the efforts of Drake’s advancement, communications, marketing, and ticket sales departments.
“We are quite fortunate to have someone with Matt’s experience and background join our team at Drake,” athletics director Brian Hardin said. “Matt’s history of successful revenue generation and familiarity with the Missouri Valley Conference will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We are thrilled to welcome Matt and his wife LB to the Drake family.”
Prior to moving to Des Moines, Lyons worked at Illinois State since 2011, initially as the assistant athletics director for development, and since 2016 as the associate athletics director for development. While with the Redbirds, Lyons served as the lead fundraiser and revenue generator for Illinois State athletics.
Lyons directed efforts for all aspects of Illinois State’s revenue generation unit, including major gifts, annual giving, endowments, outbound ticket sales, hospitality sales, letterwinners association, and special events. He also served as the liaison with Redbird Sports Properties, the multi-media rights holder for Illinois State athletics.
Under the leadership of Lyons, Illinois State athletics exceeded a $25,000,000 fundraising goal during a campus-wide campaign and Lyons was personally responsible for more than $19,000,000 in gift commitments.
Prior to Illinois State, Lyons was the director of the Panther Scholarship Club at the University of Northern Iowa from 2010-11. Lyons was a member of the athletics director leadership team and was the lead fundraiser for UNI’s annual giving program to athletics.
Lyons began his career as the assistant director of development at the University of Missouri from 2007-08 before moving to Illinois State from 2008-2010 where he earned his Master’s degree as a graduate assistant in the athletics development department.
Lyons earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.
Also on Thursday, Hardin announced title promotions for four members of the athletics department senior staff. Blake Boldon, Megan Franklin and Patrick Tomka were all promoted from associate athletics directors to senior associate athletics directors. Boldon will continue to direct the Drake Relays and Franklin will continue serving as the senior woman administrator. Tomka assumes the role of senior associate athletics director for finance and operations. He will have direct oversight of the athletics department’s business office, as well as the facilities, operations, and equipment units. Stephanie Sledge was promoted to associate athletics director for student-athlete academic success services.
Megan Franklin, Athletics
Join the Drake Basketball teams for a preview of the season at the Bulldog Club Tip-Off Breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7 a.m. Enjoy breakfast while you get the latest news on the upcoming season from head coaches Darian DeVries and Jennie Baranczyk. Event takes place at the Marriott Downtown and is just $15 per person.
Make your reservations at DrakeTix.com/tipoff or call the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.
Ryan Harris, Athletics
Football
Drake vs. Stetson
Saturday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m.
Drake Stadium
Community Day – All tickets $1 with select $1 concession items
Women’s Soccer
Drake vs. Evansville
Saturday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex
For additional information and complete schedules, visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com or contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.
Ryan Harris, Athletics
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the first of two Meet the New Faculty socials were held in Levitt Hall.
Jared Butler, Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice; Matthew Canfield, Assistant Professor, Law, Politics and Society; Ellie Falter, Assistant Professor, Music; Erika Iverson, Visiting Assistant Professor, Law, Politics and Society, each spent a few minutes talking about their personal and professional development, where they are in their lives and where they have been, and a bit on where they wish to go. Great conversations and connections were made by all!!
Attendees had this to say: “The faculty felt incredibly welcomed, and I see many connections that will come as a result.”
“I was wavering on whether to attend but I am so glad I did! I know have two good connections for the work I am doing on campus.”
The second Meet the New Faculty Social will be held on Monday, Oct. 22 in Levitt Hall from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Kevin Carlson, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology ; Chris Holman, Professor of Law, Intellectual Property ; Sara Johnston, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy; and Christine Urish, Professor, Occupational Therapy, will be presenting. There will be a cash bar and all attendees will receive a drink ticket, there will also be non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Sandra Harris, Office of the Associate Provost & Office of Institutional Research & Assessment