All posts by Renee Cramer

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost: Artificial intelligence and Air, Light, Time, Space

We have had terrific attendance at faculty development centering on artificial intelligence, and a great set of conversations. Nicki and I are working to continually update the CTE website. We’re trying to make a weekly practice of those updates, starting later this week, to include resources as they become available from a host of global institutions.

I also invite you to join a group of dedicated faculty and staff to talk about teaching and artificial intelligence like Chatbots and text-to-image generators. We’ll have a brief opening presentation, then you’ll have a chance to mingle—café style—to get feedback on and brainstorm about your particular instructional concerns related to the technology, including a table to conversation about the question of our value in light of the technology, and a table where you can get ideas for incorporating AI into your class’ work. We’ll have two sessions via Zoom, and two in person—if you come in person, we’ll provide light refreshments.  The sessions will be:

Thursday, March 23, 12:00 – 1:00 via Zoom
Tuesday, March 28, 11:00 – 12:00 in person
Monday, April 3, 12:00 – 1:00 via Zoom
Friday, April 7, 11:30 – 12:30 in person

Please register here. You’ll be able to pick your session and modality on the Eventbrite link.

And, please sign up now for Books for Breakfast on April 7 and April 21 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. We will meet to eat good food and talk about a lovely book: Helen Sword’s Air and Light and Time and Space: How Successful Academics Write.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

HR Information Archive

Nominations due March 3 for Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence awards

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2023 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for this award can be found here.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The criteria to be eligible for this award 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 Friday, March 3.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

February is heart health month

February is American Heart Month—a great time to be reminded about the importance of practicing heart-healthy habits. Not so fun fact: every 36 seconds in the U.S. someone dies from cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.

Do you know your risks? Risk factors include smoking, inactivity, high blood pressure, obesity/overweight, high cholesterol, and family history of heart disease. Although you can’t fix family history, no matter your age, you can take simple steps to lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Know your numbers. Get your annual physical and review your medical conditions with your primary care physician. This includes controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and weight.

Choose healthy foods and beverages. Add some heart-healthy recipes into your day and reduce the amount of sodium, sugar, and bad fats from your diet.

Get moving. Regular physical activity is a must for all ages. It could be as simple as walking more and sitting less. And don’t forget to add some resistance training. Moving your body has benefits beyond a healthy heart. It can help reduce stress, keep your joints healthy and improve brain function.

If you smoke – QUIT.  There are several online resources to help you reach this goal.

If you want to get started toward a healthier heart but don’t know where to begin, follow this 28-Days Toward a Healthy Heart chart.  These small steps could make a giant leap in your health!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Dinner with Dean of Students

Join Dean of Students Hannah Clayborne for a chance to have dinner and catch up on things that are happening at Drake University this semester. This is a great opportunity to make connections with fellow students along with the Dean of Students. Dinner will be provided for students who sign up in advance, but space is limited to 10 students. Please review the available slots below and click here to sign up.

Monday, February 27
5:00-6:00 PM
6:00-7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 1
5:00-6:00 PM
6:00-7:00 PM

Monday, March 6
5:00-6:00 PM
6:00-7:00 PM

Questions about this event, please contact Gina Ryan at gina.ryan@drake.edu with questions.

— Gina Ryan, Office of the Dean of Students

For Faculty Archive

Apply for Cowles Library OER Grant

Cowles Library is still accepting applications to their next grant opportunity for full-time Drake faculty interested in using open educational resources (OER) in their courses. OER can benefit students in many ways, including saving money and expediting access. The Drake Faculty OER 2023 Grant Program is offering stipends between $500 and $1,500 to participants who complete the program, which involves adopting, adapting, or creating an OER to use in one or more of your courses. Application deadline is Feb. 28, 2023. Learn more.

— Andrew Welch, Cowles Library

For Students Archive

Apply now for DU England: Harlaxton, Fall 2023 semester study abroad program

A cohort of Drake students will study abroad Fall 2023 on the DU England: Harlaxton semester study abroad program with Professor Maria Clapham. Students enroll in one Drake course, as well as courses at Harlaxton College, taught by British and visiting faculty.

Students who apply by March 1 will be considered for Drake’s Global Learning Scholarships. Each year Drake gives out around $100,000 in study abroad scholarships.

Courses taken at Harlaxton can be pre-approved to count toward your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs. Students also have access to their Drake financial aid while studying abroad on this approved program.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, there is an information session on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in Olmsted TMR132.

To apply to study on the DU England: Harlaxton program and be considered for a global learning scholarship, go to Terra Dotta, Drake’s study abroad application system.

If you have questions or want to set up a study abroad advising appointment, please reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

For Students Archive

Opportunity to work abroad after graduation

Drake’s Working Worldwide program is open for 2023–2024. The Working Worldwide Program offers recent graduates from any academic background the opportunity to live and work in Kosovo working at a company, non-profit, or governmental organization for up to one year. Whether you are interested in gaining professional, international, or cultural experience, the Working Worldwide Program will work to find the best setting to help you meet your goals. View the application to get more details and meet with Chelsea Funk to discuss whether this is the right opportunity for you.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement

For Students Archive

The Harkin Institute’s D.C. Experience scholarships are now open

The Harkin Institute’s D.C. Experience scholarships are open now. Any Drake University undergraduate student with a GPA above a 2.75 who has secured a summer internship in Washington D.C. can apply to the The Harkin Institute D.C. Student Experience Scholarship.

The Robert J. Waters and Patricia J. Beneke Endowed Washington, D.C. Experience Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students (including law students) with a GPA of 3.0 who are internship in areas outlined on The Harkin Institute website.

The deadline for both scholarships is April 10 at 5 p.m.  

These scholarships apply to students with an internship for a non-profit organization, congressional office, or government agency. The scholarship covers housing accommodations from May to August 2023, a non-refundable room deposit, and up to $500 in travel expenses.  

Along with completing the application, applicants must provide a typed 500-word essay, their resume, unofficial Drake University transcript, a faculty recommendation, their acceptance letter for their internship, and a signed financial statement form. Apply for either scholarship.

— Lila Johnson, Harkin Institute