All posts by Andy Verlengia

Everclass with Brian Hardin Sept. 11 at Noon

Tune in Sept. 11 at 12 p.m. for an insider Everclass with Brian Hardin, Des Moines native and Director of Athletics at Drake University. Since 2017, Hardin has led Drake through its “golden era,” marked by record academic, competitive, and fundraising achievements. In this session, Hardin shares candid insights on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on student-athletes, the evolving responsibilities of a Division I athletic director, and the realities behind NCAA tournament selection and seeding. Learn how he has shaped Drake into Des Moines’ Hometown Team and a national model for success. Don’t miss this conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of college sports. Register for free: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/A-xtBoHaTve4EPZjhCbCuQ#/registration

— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations

Drake Identity Statements: Feedback Needed

As President Martin shared in his message to campus today, your feedback is needed on the draft ‘Identity Statements’ for Drake University. You can find the latest draft of those statements here. The objective is to declare what is most distinctive and powerful about Drake and its people. You can get involved by participating in one or more of the upcoming community forums:

Olmsted Center Parents Hall (in person only)

  • Monday, 9/15, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 9/23, 11:00–12:00 noon
  • Wednesday, 10/1, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Virtual Sessions

An online feedback form will be made available after the forums have been held. Please make every effort to participate in at least one of the forums. Consistent with the draft Identity Statement of “We Empower Human Connection,” take full advantage of the opportunity to be in community as together we declare what is best about Drake University.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

Golf: For Business and Life

Golf: For Business & Life Program is a non-Credit course that provides you with group golf lessons. The lessons are taught at Willow Creek by a professional. The program teaches you how to perform basic golf skills and terminology. The class is designed for all skill levels and beginners are encouraged to participate. The deadline for register is September 2. Lessons will begin the week of September 8 and the cost for the program will be $80-$100. You can apply at www.drake.edu/recservices/golfforbusinessandlife.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can reach out to Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu.

Lisa Murphy, Rec Services

Student Services Center Now Located in Johansen, Fall Hours

The Student Services Center has moved to the Johansen Student Center and can be found on the first level, on the south side of the building (the old Morehouse front desk).

The SSC is the location where you can pick up your parking pass, pickup and return keys, take an ID photo, pick up student payroll checks, and complete Student HR Paperwork for on campus employment.

Hours for the fall semester are:
Mondays–Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additionally, the campus print shop will remain closed until mid-September to allow us to move our equipment to our new space.  We will post in OnCampus once we have resumed print operations, and are currently planning to be up and running again by Sept. 15.

Thanks for your patience as we kick off the year!

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

 

Puzzles at Cowles Library

This fall, Cowles Library is unveiling our newest collection, puzzles! Inspired by our ever-popular weekly puzzle table, this collection lets you take the fun anywhere. You might even recognize a few familiar puzzles that have challenged (and hopefully delighted) our campus community in the past.

With designs ranging from 500 to 1000-piece brainteasers, there’s something for every puzzle pro and casual solver alike. It’s all part of our growing lineup of non-traditional resources, right alongside vinyl records, players, sensory tools, and more.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Roadmaps to Retirement 2025: Global Lessons and Paths Ahead

Roadmaps to Retirement 2025: Global Lessons and Paths Ahead continues our discussion on strategies to improve retirement security at the retirement system level. The roundtable discussion will focus on the private retirement savings landscape in the US and how it compares to countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. The roundtable will address both retirement savings accumulation and retirement income options, current policies and regulations, and future goals.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Time: 1–3:30 p.m.; Networking lunch from 12–1 p.m.

Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311); Zoom Livestream—a Zoom link will be sent to virtual attendees closer to the day of the event.

Cost: Free, but registration is required via Eventbrite.

—Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute

The Writing Center Opens Sept. 8

WHAT WE DO: The Writing Center’s trained peer tutors advise and assist students at any stage of the writing process:

  • Understanding instructions/prompts
  • Generating ideas and ways to develop ideas
  • Outlining and organizing
  • Writing, expanding, revising, and/or copyediting a draft

We are a free service for all Drake students, including graduate students and those in professional programs.

HOW TO SIGN UP TO VISIT: We use Starfish for scheduling. Please go here to book an appointment with a tutor.

Appointments are approximately 30 minutes, and students can sign up for more than one session if they wish. They may also request that a tutor keep a regular time slot available for them if they would like to come in each week. If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment, please remember to cancel and reschedule.

WHERE WE ARE: The lower level of Cowles Library—please follow the signs. We offer hours daily, from mornings to late afternoon/evening (including weekends). Students with health concerns can request an appointment on Zoom.

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF: If you refer a student to the workshop or require all students to visit, please let us know via email (megan.brown@drake.edu). Ask students to bring their assignment prompt/instructions to the Writing Center, as well as any writing they have done so far. When students are referred, or required, to visit, the tutor will email you to let you know that your student has attended and briefly describe what work was done. When students attend on their own, we do not inform professors unless they specifically ask us to do so. Note: please contact megan.brown@drake.edu for instructions on how to ascertain if a student has attended a Writing Center appointment.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS please contact Prof. Megan Brown, Director of Writing (megan.brown@drake.edu).

We look forward to working with you this semester!

— Megan Brown, Professor of English

 

 

Check Out the Fall 2025 BUILD Schedule

The Fall 2025 BUILD schedule is available for viewing and registration is open.  Please take a moment to check out the classes and tours on the Drake HR website under Learning & Development.  Click on BUILD – Upcoming Sessions for the full list, including detailed descriptions.  Are you ready to register?  There is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey that makes signing up easy.  Our Greenhouse Tour is already full so don’t delay.

Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) is a platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.  Most classes are only an hour in length, and many are facilitated by our own faculty and staff.

Take the time to invest in yourself, support your colleagues, and take in the culture that Drake has to offer.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake Alum Nikki Renee Anderson Returns For Solo Exhibition at Anderson Gallery

Drake Art and Design alum Nikki Renee Anderson will be returning to Drake’s campus to open a solo exhibition in the Anderson Gallery this fall. Since graduating, Anderson has been successful as an artist, exhibiting extensively both nationally and internationally. She teaches full time at Harper College where she runs the Ceramics program. Anderson creates sculptures and installations that use her personal history to explore the feminine and the different roles of the self. Her exhibition Unfurling Garden will be on display in the Anderson Gallery, located in the Harmon Fine Arts building, from Sept. 4 to Oct 17. Anderson will return to campus to install her show and give an artist talk on Sept 4 from 4:30–5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center, Room 204, followed by an opening reception for her exhibition from 5–7 p.m. in the Anderson Gallery.

—Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery