All posts by Gail Witte

Campus Announcements Archive

Heavy Weightlifting Class at the Bell Center

Join Drake Weightlifting Club for a special Heavy Weightlifting series adjustable to all levels. We will use the Athletic Training Gym in the Bell Center.  These classes are for everyone, please join the class that best suits your needs.  If you require any further accommodations, please contact gail.witte@drake.edu.

The series will run weekly until March 6..

Women’s+ classes: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Mens’s+ classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Check the Drake Rec App for details and signup.

— Gail Witte, Rec Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Adaptive Fitness Series at the Bell Center

Join us for an adaptive fitness series at the Bell Center. These are classes targeting everyone, especially people who may not feel comfortable in typical fitness classes. We want everyone to be able participate in a way that will work for them and their body. Feel free to take a break at any time and we will be giving frequent breaks. We are also increasing the number of verbal instructions/cues.

We are also doing our best to make these classes sensory friendly so feel free to bring any sensory equipment you normally need/use. We will also be dimming lighting (expect for the pool), turning off tv, and playing any music at a lower volume. Contact suzanne.shoemaker@drake.edu with any questions.

— Gail Witte, Rec Services

For Students Archive

Tax Benefits for Higher Education

Did you know that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides tax benefits for education? The tax benefits can be used to get back some of the money you spend on tuition or loan interest or to maximize your college savings.

Even if you normally wouldn’t file a tax return because of your income level, be sure to do so. If you don’t, you could miss out on tax credits that would put money in your pocket.

Learn more about tax benefits for higher education here.

—Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

For Students Archive

Commuter Student Johansen Student Center Tours

Welcome back to campus bulldogs! We are excited to have you back and to introduce students to the Johansen Student Center. This new student center has plenty of great space for students, especially our commuter students. The space offers areas for students to study, relax in between classes, lock up personal items, and more. We are happy to offer tours of the space for our commuter students on the following dates and times:

  • Thursday, January 30, at 9 a.m.
  • Wednesday, February 5, at 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 11, at 3:30 p.m.

Please plan to meet in the main lobby on the ground floor (yellow carpeted area).

—Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

For Students Archive

Peer Leader Opportunities Info Sessions

Orientation Leaders

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.

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

  • Wednesday, February 5 at 8:00pm on Zoom
  • Thursday, February 13 at 5:00pm in Meredith Hall 102

Learn more about the position. For questions, contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

Peer Mentor/Academic Consultants (PMACs)

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.

  • Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30pm in upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 310-311
  • Monday, February 10 at 8pm on Zoom

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

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Campus Announcements Archive

Student Services Front Desk: Services and Hours Expanded

 Welcome back, Bulldogs! We are excited to begin a new semester with expanded services and hours at the Student Services desk in Olmsted.  Hours at the SSC front desk (off the Olmsted Breezeway) are listed below, and in addition to our normal tasks, we’ll be taking over a few items that have traditionally been done in the Student Life Center, to assist as they transition to their new space in the Johansson Student Center.

Student Services Center Spring Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact Information:
studentservices@drake.edu
515-271-2000
www.drake.edu/studentservices

Basic Services:

  • Drake ID’s (Mobile ID) Assistance
  • Bulldog Bucks Account Assistance
  • Parking Permit Distribution
  • Parking Citation Payments
  • Student Employment Paperwork Collection
  • Student Employment Paycheck Distribution (12th of the month)
  • Key Distribution/Collection
  • Olmsted Bike Checkouts
  • GK Volleyball Court Reservations
  • Student Org P-card and Print Card Checkout
  • Olmsted Poster/Sandwich Board Approval

 — Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

Campus Announcements Archive

W-2 Forms Available on myDrake

W-2 forms are available online through myDrake’s Employee Dashboard. To access and print your W-2, look to the “Taxes” section of the Employee Dashboard. Within this section, click “W-2 Wage and Tax Statement” and select the tax year for 2024.  Instructions are available for your reference. If you have questions, contact Human Resources at 271-3133.

— Lisa Etnyre, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Get LinkedIn with Drake Alumni: A Networking Breakfast

Join Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations for breakfast, networking, and a keynote address from Drake alumna and Senior DEI Associate at the Weitz Company, Shekinah Fountain, on using LinkedIn as a tool for professional networking and career engagement. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 28, in the Olmsted Student Center, Parents Hall South, from 8:30–10 a.m.  

Did you know?

  • With over 830 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the “cornerstone of professional networking.” 
  • “LinkedIn posts with images receive 98% more comments than those without.”  
  • “97% of HR and staffing professionals use LinkedIn in their recruiting efforts.” 
  • “LinkedIn Learning offers over 16,000 courses” to build new skills and advance careers (Product London Design, 2024).  

Event Agenda

8:30 AM – Check-In
8:45 AM – Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM – Keynote Address
9:30 AM – Open Networking 

Our keynote address, delivered by Drake alumna and Senior DEI Associate at The Weitz Company, Shekinah Fountain, will highlight using LinkedIn for professional networking and career development.  

Students will also have opportunities for networking with alumni who graduated from different colleges, schools, and majors at Drake and are now working in all different professional areas. 

Space is limited. Registration required via EventBrite.  

Thanks to our event sponsor, The Principality Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

Questions? Contact career.services@drake.edu.  

— Jill Batten, Office of Advising

Campus Announcements Archive

Flash Sale: Grand Blue Mile Registration Opens Feb. 11

Get ready to hit the streets of downtown Des Moines! Grand Blue Mile registration opens Feb. 11, and for two days only, you can secure your spot for just $10—the lowest price of the year. Whether you’re aiming for a PR, walking with friends, or making it a family tradition, this is your chance to be part of the Midwest’s premier mile. Don’t miss out—sign up during the flash sale, February 11–12, and save!

— Ben Huftalin, Drake Relays

Campus Announcements Archive

Sussman Lecture: Students Are Humans First with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab

The Harkin Institute is thrilled to announce this Fall’s Sussman Lecture, “Students Are Humans First” with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab. Dr. Goldrick-Rab will discuss the challenges students face in meeting their basic needs while earning a college education. She explored this topic in her award-winning book, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream. The book documents the failures of policymakers and higher education institutions to make college affordable. Her scientific studies identifying and addressing college students’ basic needs for food, housing, childcare, transportation, and health supports sparked the internationally-known #RealCollege movement and inspired federal and state data collection and legislation, as well as countless privately-funded programs.

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m. CT

Location:

Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311)

The Harkin Institute YouTube Channel (Stream link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event)

Cost: Free

Accommodations: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided for in-person and virtual attendees. Any additional accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.

— Kathryn Kuckelman, The Harkin Institute