All posts by Gail Witte

Day Free For Study: Yoga and Meditation

Take a break from finals prep with a relaxing, all-levels yoga class on Friday, Dec. 5. Stretch, breathe, and reset your mind before finals begin.

All students are welcome. Register on the Drake Rec app. Those who register and attend will be entered to win a $10 Bulldog buck giveaway. There will be three total drawings.

— Gail Witte, Rec Services

Leaving for J-Term? Make Sure to Move Your Vehicle

If you are leaving for J-Term, but plan to leave your vehicle on campus, please park it in the south end of lot 29 (large Drake West Village lot) before you leave campus.

This will allow our Grounds team to keep parking lots clear of snow during J-Term, and create more effective operations for Drake Public Safety.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

 

DEAL Clothing Swap

The Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL) is hosting their semi-annual clothing swap Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6–8 p.m. in the Olmsted Breezeway.

You can swap for clothes in a 1:1 swap by donating something of your own, or purchase an item of clothing for a dollar. Cash and card are accepted.

Leftover clothing items in good condition will be donated to Des Moines Refugee Support for their clothing drive.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

How You Can Run the Drake Road Races for Free

Now is the perfect time to sign up for the Drake Road Races. Prices will continue to rise as race day nears!

Current Prices:
Half Marathon: $70
10K: $50
5K: $35

What You Get When You Register:

  • A premium apparel item
  • A limited-edition 2026 finisher medal
  • A free ticket to the Drake Relays Distance Carnival
  • Eligibility to compete in the Relays Wellness Challenge
  • Free professional race photos
  • A scenic route through the historic Drake neighborhood
  • The chance to win Age Group Awards
  • Bulldog Double Challenge (run the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile to receive an extra medal)
  • And of course … you finish on the legendary Blue Oval—one of the most storied finish lines in the U.S.!

Here’s the real bonus:
You can earn your entry fee back—up to a completely FREE race! Just register → share your referral link → earn $5 back for every person who signs up through your link.

Bring enough people with you and your entry could be completely free.

How it works:

  • Register for the Drake Road Races (if you haven’t already).
  • Grab your referral link (in your confirmation email or your RunSignUp profile).
  • Share it with friends, family, coworkers — anyone and everyone!
  • Earn $5 back per person who signs up using your link up to the full amount of your entry. That’s it!

Spring is right around the corner — make your race weekend official, get your friends involved, and you could run for free!

— Ben Huftalin, Drake Relays

The Comparison Project to Host Meditation Fair Dec. 6

On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., The Comparison Project will host a meditation fair in Meredith Hall on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature meditation instructors representing many different religious and spiritual traditions and techniques. Light breakfast fare will be available.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and practice three different meditation styles at concurrent sessions during the first half of the event. Instructors of these sessions collectively represent the meditative traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, and Transcendental Meditation. During the second half of the event, all the instructors will be available for dialogue and Q&A.

The Comparison Project engages in the practice of comparative philosophy of religion, increases understanding of local-lived religion, and cultivates interfaith literacy and leadership. It is supported by Drake’s Center for the Humanities, Drake’s Slay Fund for Social Justice, and Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation.

For more information, visit: http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu, or email: comparisonproject@drake.edu.

— Timothy Knepper, Professor of Philosophy/Comparison Project Director

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 Fall 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, Chief Global Affairs Officer and Dean of Global Programs, by January 23, 2026. 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. 

Safety Reminders to Prevent Slips and Falls this Winter

Slips and falls can happen anytime or anywhere, but winter weather compounds these risks. There are several ways to minimize this risk to yourself and others:

  • Be alert and aware of your surroundings
  • Avoid obstacles in your path, including slippery or wet surfaces
  • Make sure work/personal areas have adequate lighting, and avoid storing things on the floor that could be a trip hazard
  • Move at a measured pace, avoid rushing or running
  • Increase caution in winter weather conditions: ice, snow, slush
  • Avoid walkways that have not yet been plowed/shoveled as able

Report any slip and fall concerns. The Guardian app through Public Safety allows for text reporting of safety issues anywhere on campus. Public Safety can also be called directly at 515.271.2222.

Staff members may also report issues to their building contact.

— Taylor Laverty, Environmental Health and Safety

Important Parking and Traffic Information for Wednesday

The Drake Women’s Basketball Team will face Lindenwood University on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Knapp Center. This game is part of the annual Character Counts Day, which brings more than 6,000 K–8 students to campus for an exciting experience.

To ensure smooth logistics and maintain safety and security during this large event, please note the following important updates:

Parking Changes

  • Lot 4 (Tennis Center) will be closed all day on Dec. 3 for bus parking.
  • If you have a Lot 4 permit, you may park in:
    • Lot 1 (FAC)
    • Lot 24 (Harkin) on Wednesday.

Traffic Advisory

  • Expect heavy traffic on Forest Avenue, especially near the Knapp Center and Bell Center, from morning until approximately 2:00 p.m.
  • Please allow extra time for travel and consider alternate routes if possible.

Street Parking Restrictions

  • There will be no parking on Clarke Street between 24th and 27th Streets on Dec. 3.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests and campus community. If you have questions, please contact Drake Public Safety.

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

Mark Your Calendar for this Year’s Holiday Cheer Event

All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend this year’s Holiday Cheer gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 16, by the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. You are welcome to come and go as you please from 9 to 11 a.m.

Relax and enjoy some tasty holiday treats and beverages with friends and colleagues. Griff II will make an appearance near the beginning of the event, so if you time it right, you may be able to get your picture taken with him in your favorite holiday attire.

If you bring at least one non-perishable food or other goods for Drake’s Free Little Food Pantries, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.  We would love to stock the pantry before the holiday break.

This event is a chance to give back to others in the Drake community, while mingling with coworkers.  Please take a moment to stop by, grab some cheer, and drop off a donation.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Peer Mentor/Academic Consultant (PMAC) Information Sessions

PMACs aim to assist new first-year students in feeling welcome, comfortable and connected at Drake. They do this by initiating communication with incoming first-year students in July, facilitating peer connections during Welcome Weekend and continuing to assist students as they navigate their first semester at Drake.

We highly encourage you to attend one of the information sessions being offered. Click here to sign up for a session.

  • PMAC Info Session – Wednesday, December 3 at 5pm in JSC 250
  • PMAC Info Session – Thursday, February 5 at 6pm in JSC 250
  • PMAC Info Session – Tuesday, February 10 on Zoom at 8pm

For more information about the role and application, visit our website.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs