All posts by Taylor Johnson

Campus Announcements

Dean’s Speaker Series Platforms Prominent Corporate Leadership

Drake Law School is proud to announce the second installment of the Dean’s Speaker Series, featuring two prominent leaders in corporate America. Natalie Lamarque, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Principal Financial Group and Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., MA’91, JD’92, President & CEO of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Dean Jones will facilitate a discussion on the role of lawyers in corporate leadership, navigating challenges, developing key skills for success, and more. Panelists will share valuable insights, strategies, and their personal journeys to the top. The presentation will be followed by a reception in Kern Commons.

Dean Jones will facilitate a dynamic discussion on the vital role of lawyers in corporate leadership, exploring key topics such as navigating challenges, developing essential skills for success, and more. Attendees will gain valuable insights from the panelists’ personal journeys, strategies, and experiences.

The presentation will be followed by a reception in Kern Commons.

This event is free and open to the public. Register here.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Campus Announcements

Fartlek Running Group

Based on a Swedish running technique, this is a fun and creative way to increase your speed and endurance whether you are planning on running the Road Races or just want to feel included in Relays. This half-hour run will be a great way to get some movement and social time!

We will run outside unless the weather is bad, in which case we will use the Knapp center track

The club will run Wednesdays from 11:45–12:15, Feb 12–April 16.

—Gail Witte, Rec Services

Campus Announcements

Japan Study Abroad Info Session March 10

Interested in studying abroad in Japan?

The Incoming Team at Kwansei Gakuin University, located in Osaka, Japan, will host an info session in March for students who may be interested in studying abroad in Japan.

The session will include a short greeting from the Contemporary Japan Program Director, an introduction of the university and the exchange program, a mock class, as well as an introduction to KGU Campus life and a Q&A.

The Info Session is scheduled for Monday, March 10 at 8:00 pm. Register here to attend:  https://kgu-exchange-infosession.eventbrite.com

This session is aimed towards:

  • Students interested in studying in Japan but still exploring options
  • Students planning to study abroad at KGU
  • Students already nominated to KGU but wanting to learn more
  • Faculty or staff interested in learning more about the program

— Emily Erschen, Global Engagement

HR Information

Call for Nominations: Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service Awards

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2025 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The Distinguished Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for each of these awards can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 3.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information

Do It for a Day Wellbeing Challenge

If you would like to make (or continue making) healthy changes in 2025 but find yourself getting easily distracted by everyday responsibilities, this challenge is for you.

From March 3 through March 30, you will be given two challenges per day that cover one or more dimensions of wellbeing.  You select the one you want to complete that day, or if you are feeling ambitious, complete them both.  The goal is to complete at least one challenge on 25 of the 28 days.  If you succeed, turn in your completed form for a chance to win a prize.

This is a challenge you can do on your own, or invite family, friends, or co-workers to join along.  Make it a competition to see who can complete the most challenges!

Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Friday, Feb. 28 to register.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty, For Staff

Spring D(AI)logues with the Center for Teaching & Learning

Throughout the spring, join the Center for Teaching & Learning and your faculty and staff colleagues for informal lunchtime conversations about the on-going influence of generative AI on campus.

Held each month in the Faculty Lounge, Howard Hall, Room 212, each Spring D(AI)logue is scheduled multiple times throughout the week to accommodate as many schedules as possible. Visit the Campus Calendar page for more information, including all the available dates and a brief description of each month’s topics.

— Bret Sikkink, Drake Online

For Students

Free Personal Finance Development Tool

Are you interested in improving your money management skills? Do you wish you knew more about investing and credit? Do you need to learn more about the benefits that employers offer? Drake University has partnered with GradReady® to provide a free digital platform where you can learn about these topics at your own pace from any device.

Visit drake.gradready.com to create your account and get started today.

— Ryan Zantingh, Financial Aid Office

For Students

Letters to Legislators March 12

Come write letters to your legislators March 12 at 5 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 230. This is a non-partisan space where students can make their voices heard. Letters and stamps will be provided, along with food.

— Chloe Lepak, College of Arts & Sciences

For Faculty, For Staff

Call for Nominations: Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence

The Principal Center for Global Citizenship invites nominations for the Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence program for Spring 2026, seeking to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the global capacity-building of the institution through fruitful external collaborations. One scholar will be selected.

Nomination Instructions

Candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Please submit the following supporting materials:

  • A nomination letter discussing the qualifications of the candidate and expected contributions to the department and University as a whole
  • Candidate’s biographical information and CV
  • A letter of interest from the candidate
  • A letter of support from the department chair and college/school dean, including how the scholar advances departmental and college/school strategic goals related to internationalization

Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by April 4, 2025. Preference will be given to practitioners or scholars from one of Drake’s global partners. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Annique prior to submission.

Among the criteria to be considered for the nominee:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in their field
  • A demonstrated commitment to global capacity-building and responsible global citizenship
  • An ability to bring a uniquely global perspective to the Drake community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standards.

In recognition of their contributions, Global Scholars/Practitioners receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace in the host college/school, and access to university facilities. Global Scholars/Practitioners will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for the semester and will offer at least one course.

— Erin McSween, Cowles Library

Strategic Updates

Drake Launches Improved Academic Catalog

The Office of the Registrar is excited to announce the launch of the new and improved Academic Catalog.  The new catalog features improved course and program search as well as the ability to access course information directly from program requirements.  The new catalog can be found at https://catalog.drake.edu.

Questions or feedback can be shared by emailing registrar@drake.edu.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar