All posts by Kathleen Richardson

Music and media arts expert to speak at Drake

Internationally recognized audio arts expert and Drake alumnus Peter Otto will explore the roots of human creativity in the age of artificial intelligence in a multimedia presentation at Drake.

“The Nature of Creativity: An Evening With Sonic Arts Master Peter Otto” will be held on Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in the Sussman Theater of the Olmsted Center. The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Slay Fund for Social Justice.

Otto’s talk will cover the many aspects of cross-disciplinary creativity, from creating your own specialty and writing your own job description, to the difference between artistic creativity and scientific discovery, and innovation in private and public sector contexts. He will also touch on artificial intelligence: what it can and can’t do, and how it can be creatively leveraged.

Otto’s wide-ranging career has blended art with science and technology. He is an expert in the language and aesthetics of audio design and engineering, and has consulted worldwide with audio and digital media companies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Drake and a master’s degree in composition from the California Institute of Arts, where he subsequently served on the faculty. He served as director of music technology at the University of California San Diego, where he founded the university’s Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts major and Qualcomm Institute of Sonic Arts Laboratory. He was chief science officer for audio technology at Comhear, leading research and development of audio for virtual reality platforms. He was vice president for innovation at the 3D audio technology startup Dysonics, which was later acquired by Google, where Otto currently works in the DeciBel Audio Group.

Otto’s appearance is part of a series of events at Drake this spring that will explore human inspiration and innovation across disciplines. The final campus visitors will be New Age musician and Zen master Teja Bell at 7 p.m., April 12, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

For more information or to arrange a class visit by either of these visiting professionals, contact: Kathleen Richardson, dean emerita, Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, kathleen.richardson@drake.edu.

Kathleen Richardson, Dean Emerita, SJMC

Faculty and staff awards announced at Health Professions Day

During the annual Health Professions Day (formerly Pharmacy and Health Sciences Day), held on February 23, 2023, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) presented several awards to faculty members who demonstrated outstanding teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and professional involvement over the past year within their fields. Nominations for the awards are sought from students and colleagues alike from within the college.

Maggie Fiala, director of external experiential external affairs, received the inaugural CPHS Staff Member of the Year award. This award was created to recognize the work of one individual who has gone above and beyond in their work to help the College fulfill its goals and mission.

Cheryl Clarke, assistant dean of clinical affairs, director of experiential education, and professor of pharmacy practice, was named the Hartig Distinguished Professor. This award recognizes a pharmacy faculty member who has distinguished him or herself in teaching, scholarship, service, or practice.

Rachel Allen-McHugh, assistant professor of occupational therapy, was honored with the C. Boyd Granberg Professional Leadership Award. This award is given to a faculty member who is committed to professional organizational leadership – both for themselves and among students.

John Rovers, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Health Sciences, and John R. Ellis Distinguished Chair of Pharmacy Practice, was honored with the Richard Morrow Transformational Leadership Award. This award recognizes a faculty member whose transformational work has gone above and beyond. Transformational leaders focus on team building, motivation and collaboration with colleagues to accomplish change for the better. They identify a needed change, create a vision to guide the change through inspiration, and execute the change through collaboration.

The College’s Student Governance Association announced the following teaching and mentoring awards:

Yolanda Griffiths, professor of occupational therapy, was named the CPHS Teacher of the Year.

Mark Vitha, Windsor Professor in Science and Professor of Chemistry, was named the non-CPHS Teacher of the Year.

Nate Newman, associate professor of athletic training and MAT program director, was named the CPHS Mentor of the Year.

Sally Haack, professor of pharmacy practice and pharmacist at Primary HealthCare Pharmacy, was named the CPHS Preceptor of the Year.

Kaylyn Maher, CPHS

How to create IT tickets

If you would like to report an issue or request a service, create a ticket using the ITS Service Portal, select the category of ticket you would like to create, and submit the details of your request.

ITS does not accept any tickets via email. All tickets must be submitted through service.drake.edu/its. This process helps ensure we gather as much relevant information as early as possible to facilitate resolving your situation.

When a ticket is created, updates about the ticket are sent through an automated email: tdxnotifications@drake.edu. This email is not monitored and cannot be used to create a new ticket, discuss an open ticket, or otherwise contact ITS.

For additional questions or support, please visit the ITS website, call 515-271-3001, or visit us in the lower level of Carnegie Hall.

Gillian Mohn, ITS

The Ray Center hosts Civic Leadership Academy for high school students

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University will host the Civic Leadership Academy as an exclusive opportunity for high school juniors to learn from scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the nation as part of the Drake University Center for Public Democracy. The Civic Leadership Academy will be held from July 10-12, 2023, concurrent with the Drake University Center for Public Democracy Summer Institute. The Civic Leadership Academy will immerse 25 high school students in an intensive and rewarding leadership development program that gives students the skills to stand out as leaders.

— Megan Wesselink, The Ray Center

Friendly ITS tech tip

If you bought a personal Windows computer in the last year, your hard disk most likely has been encrypted by Microsoft’s Bit-Locker.

If your hard drive icon has a padlock on it, your information is encrypted and safe from people who want to steal your data.

If you don’t have the code to unlock your hard drive, refer to the following steps to locate it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/finding-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-in-windows-6b71ad27-0b89-ea08-f143-056f5ab347d6

Keep this code safe and secure, either stored in cloud storage or a notebook in a secure area. Do not keep it on the drive as you could need that code to unlock it if Windows throws an error on boot up.

If you have questions or need assistance with this process, contact ITS support via service.drake.edu/its.

Gillian Mohn, ITS

Summer and Fall 2023 registration, schedule of classes

The Summer and Fall 2023 schedules of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration begins Monday, April 10.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, April 24, those reservations will be removed. Note that some courses have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, file your changes via the change of record request no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3. Requests submitted after this date may be delayed.

J-Term schedules will be published in October and registration will take place in November.

For J-Term travel courses, students first apply through Terra Dotta.  You will find travel course information by searching for programs in Terra Dotta. Students can apply starting March 8th, 2023.  The priority deadline for travel courses is April 7th.  More information is available on the J-Term webpage.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar

Read the latest shout-outs!

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  Simply write a sentence of appreciation for a colleague and submit it to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline to submit a shout-out is Thursday, March 23.

Read the shout-outs submitted this week!

“A shout-out to the Drake Online and Continuing Education team:  You guys rock! Thanks for all you have done to strengthen access to a Drake education, whether online, hybrid, or noncredit!  You are one of the hardest working teams I know.  Shannon, Kara, Nichole, Suzanne, Sarah, Bret, Bill, Pam, Dianna, and Megan.  I appreciate you!” – Christina Trombley

“A shout-out to Sara Heijerman:  Sara is our leader for all the campus walking challenges (Walk this May, Walktober, DU Well Mystery Challenge) and she does a great job of motivating and encouraging us, plus emailing all our steps in.  I appreciate her positive attitude and the impact it has on our team!” – Lauren McCarthy

“A shout-out to Jen Hinton:  Jen is always willing to help out when needed, eager to learn new things, and is a calming presence.  She relates to her students and thoroughly follows through on their needs.  We are thrilled she has joined our team and is very appreciated for her friendship and hard work.  Yay Jen!” – Rachelle Setsodi

“A shout-out to Emily Gates for stepping up while I was out.  She completed conferences and taught class one day.” – Lori Archer

“A shout-out to Patrick Bourgeacq for tirelessly recruiting amazing students worldwide to come to Drake!” – Amy Nichols

“A shout-out to Linda Feiden for coordinating fun wellness activities and such a wide range of useful and informative BUILD sessions for the Bulldog Community!” – Amanda Harris

“A shout-out to Betsy Wilson:  Betsy is the EPITOME of what it is to be a ray of sunshine.  Every single interaction I have had with her I have left in an even better and happier disposition than when I started.  Her smile and kind spirit are infectious, and I am so eternally grateful to call her colleague, and friend.” – Amber Welsh

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Congratulations to the following individuals on their grant award

  • Ryan Stoldt received $9,809. from the US Department of Defense in support of his research titled Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalization:  A Mixed Methods Approach.
  • Amanda Martin received $250. from the Sodexo Foundation to support her Sprout Garden Global Youth Service Day
  • Danielle Shelton received $17,000. from the Nellie Ball Trust Research Fund in support her research titled Legal Accommodations for Individuals with Mental Disabilities.
  • Richelle Williams received $1,000. from the Midwest Association of Athletic Trainers of America in support of her research titled Exploring Police Officers’ Perceptions of a Health/injury Risk Management Program Involving Athletic Training Educators

— Mary Pat Wohlford, Director, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

Seeking first-year success course instructors

Do you enjoy spending time with students?  Looking for a new opportunity to interact? If you would enjoy being a key part of welcoming new students and supporting their transition to the Drake community, please consider joining the Blueprint for Success team and teaching a section of Drake’s first-year student success course. Jenny Jones, Director of Graduate Programs in the Zimpleman College of Business, shared the following about her experience: I’ve taught several sections Blueprint for Success/Bulldog Foundations over the past few years and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the incoming students. As an instructor, you get to help the student acclimate not just to Drake University but to college life as a whole. You can create an environment where the students help each other adjust and learn from each other’s experiences. Each section I’ve led has had a different personality, but each section has been rewarding.”

Blueprint for Success helps students consider concepts and develop skills that are crucial for the development of meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. Students will explore the elements of an equitable and inclusive community, consider life skills necessary for success, and refine academic strategies. This course helps students transition into the Drake community with ease.

The course meets for 11 sessions, 50 minutes each session.  The sessions will be spread out through the fall semester. Instructors will be given all curriculum, materials, and facilitator guides for the course, and will not need to develop any curriculum on their own. In addition, instructors will partner with a peer mentor, and upper-class student leader who can help facilitate class sessions, support discussion, and be a valuable resource to your students.

In addition to assigned class time, chosen instructors will need to attend an all-day training the week of Aug. 1, a check-in meeting the week of October 15 and a wrap-up meeting during the week of Fall 2023 finals. Instructors will be paid a $1000 stipend for teaching Blueprint for Success unless this course serves as a part of your full-time teaching load.  Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent, and teaching experience is preferred but not required. Have questions?  Sign up for a short consultation session. 

To apply, fill out the google form. The application is due Friday, April 7.

 Blueprint for Success Planning Team

Tournament Grubhub promo codes and Bulldog Bucks program reminders

Bulldog Bucks are a campus card account that can be used both on and off campus.  They can currently be used on campus at any Drake Dining location, at the Campus Bookstore, or for campus printing.

Your Bulldog Bucks can currently be used off campus at Gursha Ethiopian Grill and Dough Co. Pizza.  We hope you can help us support these community partners and this program by using your Bulldog Bucks in their restaurants this semester.  If you have any other restaurants you’d like to see on the program in the future, feel free to email the SSC with your suggestions!  We’ll reach out to them over the summer, and will be working to expand the program for fall.  **Spoiler alert, we’ve got a new business in the process of being set up…watch the Drake Student Central Facebook page for this announcement!**

You can ALSO use Bulldog Bucks as a payment method in the Grubhub app, and they’ve got promo codes to celebrate the tournament available this month.  Don’t forget that even if you choose not to pay with your Bulldog Bucks, if you add your campus card as a payment option, you get to enroll in Grubhub+ free of charge…this helps get you special deals and savings with any payment method.  If you’ve linked your campus card in Grubhub, you should get the promo codes for this month via email, but just in case, they are listed here.

Tournament Promo Codes (terms apply):

3/24 – 3/26 – GRUBISLIFE ($15 off an order of $25+)

4/1 – 4/3 – MADGRUB ($7 off an order of $15+)

If you have any questions about the off campus program, please let us know.  Also, please remember that if you are graduating, you’ll want to use your Bulldog Bucks and Dining Dollars before your card is turned off at graduation.   Bulldog Bucks for returning students and employees will carry forward to the fall.

Thank you for your support of this program, and feel free to contact studentservices@drake.edu with any questions.

— Sara Heijerman,  Student Services