The second Friday FYS lunch/discussion is on Oct. 5 at noon in TMR 133. While these meetings are designed for those currently teaching FYS, we welcome those with an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future as well. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are still are welcome to attend.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Cowles Library will close at noon on Friday, Oct. 5, for a special event. The after-hours area will reopen at midnight, and the library will reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Leslie Noble, Cowles Library
Ready to question your own reality? Come to see Mentalist, Sean Bott. You will find Sean reading your mind, make time seem to move faster or not at all, make change melt into your pocket, and make objects seem like they are moving. Sean will leave you laughing and your mind blown. Come see Sean Bott for Parent’s Weekend on Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. in Sussman Theater.
Mackenzie Ekern, Sophomore
Drake Wellness is hosting Family Yoga and POUND classes the morning of Oct. 6 for Family Weekend. Bring your parents and siblings to Yoga starting at 8:30 a.m. and to POUND starting at 10 a.m. The Bell Center will open at 8 a.m. for Yoga and will be open at 9 a.m. for open recreation. You can register through the Drake Rec app or through the IMLeagues website. This event is also a part of our Wellness bucket list. Make sure to stop by for some fitness and get one step closer to that free hat.
Drake Wellness
Resistance, Resilience, Regeneration is an event of Meskwaki art and performance, both traditional and contemporary, that tells a story about how plant and human life compare in relation to how both have overcome adversity. It is about how young indigenous people have looked to their past to know where they are going in the future.
The event will consist of an art exhibition, poetry and literature readings, traditional and contemporary dances—all by up and coming Indigenous writers and Meskwaki dancers and artists.
Resistance, Resilience, Regeneration will take place Oct. 6 from 5–8 p.m. at the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 2505 Carpenter Avenue. The art exhibition will run from 5–7 p.m. in the Weeks Gallery, located on the second floor of the foyer in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Performances will follow in the Center’s Performing Arts Hall.
For inquires contact Angela Battle, associate professor, at angela.battle@drake.edu.
Kayla Jenkins, Arts and Sciences
Legend has it that to bless their relationship with good luck, Drake students would kiss at the rock outside Old Main. Single, it’s complicated, or taken, come help us celebrate one of the best Drake traditions, the Kissing Rock at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4. There will be games, free Drake swag, and food catered by Raising Cane’s. The Brocal Chords and Fermata in the Blue will be performing, and look out for an appearance by none other than our favorite bulldog, Griff.
Hannah Albrecht, Senior
The Principal Community Scholars Program is a collaboration between Principal and Campus Compact that supports the leadership development of undergraduate students seeking a business or business-related degree. Students are selected through a competitive process to receive a $1,000 scholarship, participate in a civic leadership learning community and complete a community-based experiential learning project. The curriculum and project help students develop critical skills for their careers. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member no later than Oct. 8. If you are interested, reach out to a faculty or staff member today. Read more information.
Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning and Service
Drake University’s production Theatre Durang-ed, a collection of theatre parodies written by Christopher Durang, runs Thursday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 7, in the William S.E. Coleman Studio Theatre of Drake University’s Harmon Fine Arts Center. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available online, in person, or by telephone at the Fine Arts Box Office, 2525 Carpenter Ave., 515-271-3841.
Theatre Durang-ed is directed by Michael Rothmayer, Drake University associate professor of theatre arts. It includes several thought-provoking and comedic collections, including: Euripides’ Medea; Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and A Streetcar Named Desire; and Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind and Fool for Love. It’s an evening of laughs intended for mature audiences only.
“The cast is made up of a great ensemble of actors,” said cast member Connor Sullivan, senior BFA musical theatre major. “Each actor plays multiple roles. I have grown as an actor throughout the rehearsal process learning how to switch quickly between characters, while making each role distinct and believable.”
According to Jack Griffin, sophomore BFA musical theatre major, the production has encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zones and immerse themselves in the world of comedy.
“The challenge with comedy is that you can’t force it to be funny,” said Griffin. “You have to take it seriously. If you try to make it funny, you’re not going to get laughs. Whereas if you take it seriously, you probably will get laughs.”
Noelle McVicar, senior BFA musical theatre major, is looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts to the production. “I think they [the audience] will be pleasantly surprised and pleasantly confused, but enjoy every second.”
Help Student Activities Board choose the artist/band for the Drake Relays concert this spring. By filling out the survey, you will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card. Complete the survey.
Genesis Buckhalton, Bands Co-Chair for SAB
As many of you know, Susan Ladd, director of student financial planning, retired this summer. Susan had a long and distinguished career at Drake. She has helped so many students gain access to educational opportunities and reach their goals. We celebrated her accomplishments and accolades at a gathering this summer. Susan has made a lasting impression on Drake University and we sincerely thank her and wish her joy in her retirement.
After conducting a nation-wide search, which involved representatives from financial aid and all of the colleges and schools, Ryan Zantingh has been hired as Drake’s new director of financial aid. He has more than 11 years of financial aid experience in private, higher education. For the last six years he has been the director of financial aid at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. He has also served on the Financial Aid Commission of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, most recently as chair. In this role, he contributed to advocacy and professional development opportunities on behalf of financial aid colleagues at more than 180 member institutions. Ryan has a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity Christian College and an Master of Business Administration from Governors State University. Ryan and his wife are from Pella and they are excited to move back to Iowa. He will start in his new role on Oct. 15. Please join me in welcoming Ryan Zantingh to Drake.
Teresa Krejci, Finance and Administration