All posts by Taylor Johnson

Campus Announcements Archive

Constitutional Law Center announces the 2023 Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture

The Drake University Constitutional Law Center is pleased to announce Michael Rappaport as presenter of the 2023 Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture. His lecture titled “The Challenge for Originalism from Precedent” will be delivered virtually on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. and registration is free and open to the public.

Rappaport is the Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Professor of Law and the Director for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at the University of San Diego School of Law. Having published numerous scholarly works, he is a highly regarded expert in constitutional law. His research interests include originalism, administrative law, the separation of power, federalism, the constitutional amendment process, and supermajority rules.

The Drake Constitutional Law Center initiated the Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture Series in 2012 to feature prominent experts on the topic of the Iowa Constitution. Judge James Grant participated in drafting the Iowa Constitution and was known for his public service, integrity, and dedication to the law. The lecture series is made possible by the generous gifts of Patrick Grant, LW’76, and the Grant family.

Visit https://bit.ly/3Ho6K71 for registration information. CLE credit is applied for and pending.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Campus Announcements Archive

Discount on internet service and devices for qualifying households

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a program that  helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. Eligible households can receive up to a $30/month discount on internet service (or $75/month for households in Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 for computer or tablet purchases.

Eligibility is based on household income or the receipt of certain government assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Free and Reduced-Price Lunch, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other programs. Visit acpbenefit.org for more information and to apply.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

Campus Announcements Archive

Name change to Financial Aid Office

Going forward, the office formerly known as Student Financial Planning will be called the Financial Aid Office.

This is a change in name but not in function—our office still desires to assist students with financial planning as it relates to financing their education and repaying student loans. In making this change we seek to increase our visibility with students and parents, who are more accustomed to searching for “the financial aid office”.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

SPARC spotlight: Nearly 20 grants awarded

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance (SPARC) congratulates the following individuals for receiving extramural funding. The awards mentioned below were received since July 1, 2022.  Each awarded grant supports valuable research or program development.  Many of the awarded grants include funding for scholarships and research assistantships. To learn more about any of the funded projects below, please feel free to reach out to the PI/PD. To learn more about grant support please reach out to any staff member in the SPARC office or go to the SPARC website.

PI/PDSponsor  Amount Awarded
Adam CaseNational Science Foundation (NSF)    16,344.00
Meredith MooreNational Science Foundation (NSF)      4,760.00
Keith SummervillePolk County Conservation Board      8,420.75
Keith SummervilleImpact7G      2,000.00
Lance NoeIREX  215,000.00
Kim HueyIowa Space Grant Consortium      9,000.00
Pramod MahajanIowa Space Grant Consortium – scholarships      20,000.00
John RoversIowa Public Health Association      2,500.00
John RoversIowa Care Givers Assoc.      1,000.00
Lisa ProctorPolk County Behavior Health and Disabilities Services  930,536.00
Neil HamiltonAmy P. Goldman Foundation    75,000.00
Suzie PritchettOffice of Refugee Resettlement  486,601.00
Dan ChibnallIowa Space Grant Consortium      5,153.00
Kim JonesCommunity Foundation of Greater Iowa    30,000.00
Hannah SappenfieldIREX  224,999.34
Renee Sedlacek LeeIowa Department of Natural Resources    31,461.00
Walton, RayMid Iowa Health Foundation  653,566.00
Kruse, JerridIowa Space Grant Consortium    10,000.00
   

— Mary P Wohlford, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Principal Center for Global Engagement partnership grants application deadline

The deadline to apply for the Drake Principal Center for Global Engagement Partnership Grants for fiscal year 2024 is coming up, with all applications due on Jan. 20, 2023.

About the grants

Drake University has established formal partnerships with multiple institutions abroad. Joint faculty and staff projects with our global partner institutions may be eligible for financial support through the Global Partnership Grants. Full-time faculty and staff members are eligible to apply for these grants for activities taking place during FY24 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024). Preference will be given to proposals that:

  • Identify a specific set of activities with distinct outcomes with one or more of our partner institutions.
  • Demonstrate a specific impact on Drake curriculum, students, and current global partnerships.
  • Advance Drake’s global engagement with existing partners in new ways.
  • Support involvement by individuals who have not previously been globally engaged.
  • Are financially supported by the school, college, or department of the individual submitting the proposal.
  • Align with internationally or globally focused unit objects and/or the University’s Continuous Improvement Plan.

Application Process

  1. Discuss the proposed activity with your unit Director or Dean prior to submission to help determine its strategic value, and if it aligns with the unit’s global engagement priorities. The discussion will help determine the unit’s interest and ability to support the proposal with financial resources.
  2. Submit the online application via Qualtrics, which includes a description and budget (see Notes below) for the proposed activity.
  3. Deans/Directors will review all proposals for their unit with the Assistant Director of Global Partnerships and the Executive Director of Global Engagement for prioritization and to make collaborative funding decisions. Final award decisions will be announced in Spring 2023.

Notes

  • Global Engagement grant funds are not typically awarded for stipends for Drake faculty and staff; however, stipend requests may be considered for funding by your unit’s Dean/Director on a case-by-case basis. The College of Arts & Sciences will not fund stipends.
  • The College of Arts & Sciences will not fund multiple projects in a given grant cycle submitted by the same individual.
  • The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences will not fund research through this grant.

To learn more about Drake University’s global partner institutions, please click here. For more information about this grant opportunity, and other funding opportunities by the Drake Principal CGC, please visit the official grant webpage. If you have any questions or would like further support with logistics, please don’t hesitate to contact grant program overseer Hannah Sappenfield.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Nominations open for the Adams Leadership Awards

Nominations are open! The Adams Leadership Awards are an annual, campus-wide tradition to celebrate the achievements of all student leaders and organizations at Drake University. Each May, we honor students and organizations who have made valuable contributions to the campus community through their outstanding commitment to leadership.

Please consider nominating any Drake students and student organizations who have exhibited strong leadership and excellence throughout the fall 2022 semester. Nominations can be submitted by any Drake student, faculty, or staff member.

Award categories include:

  • Outstanding First Year Student
  • Outstanding Residence Hall Leader
  • Outstanding Equity & Inclusion Program
  • Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year
  • …and many more!

View a full list of awards and the nomination form. Nominations will be open throughout the spring semester, but don’t wait – nominate fall 2022 events and student leaders today!

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Databook 2022 updates

Are you curious about the historical trends of Drake’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional enrollment? Do you have questions about the demographic profile of our student body or faculty? The Drake Databook answers these questions and more. Find those answers at Databooks.

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment publishes this information each year. As we wrap up the year and our work in the Databook, many of your questions can be answered now.

Any questions or issues, please contact Christine Marchand christine.marchand@drake.edu.

— Christine Marchand, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Campus Announcements Archive

Accommodating dietary and nutrition needs

Do you have food allergies or a particular dietary need? Our Drake Dining Services team will work to accommodate your special dietary requirements.  

Hubbell offers numerous options for those with dietary restrictions including Sprouts (vegan and vegetarian), Simple Servings (top 8 allergen-free), and Simple Zone (gluten-free pantry). Hubbell can also accommodate additional dietary restrictions such as halal or low carb upon request. If you have a particular dietary need, please reach out to Drake Dietitian Samantha Matt, MS, RDN, LDN, to discuss how Hubbell can accommodate you. Samantha is available for Hubbell tours and free consultations to help manage dietary restrictions and navigate Hubbell. Free nutrition counseling is available to all students on topics such as health and wellness, sports nutrition, and disease management. Samantha is available for virtual or in-person meetings year-round. 

 You can schedule an appointment directly by clicking here. Or, contact Samantha at one of the following emails: samantha.matt@drake.edu or samantha.matt@sodexo.com.

— Shaelyn Hankins, Drake Dining

 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Bulldog Applause goes to Drake Head Start

The All Staff Council Recognition Committee recognized Drake Head Start with a Bulldog Applause for all they do for Drake and the surrounding community. This department is sincerely appreciated, and we want to share more about the important work they perform.

The US Department of Health and Human Services provides funding for the Head Start programs across the nation. Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early childhood education to children ages birth to five. The majority of the families served by these programs face significant challenges such as poverty, homelessness, disability, or trauma. Since 1977, the outstanding members of the Drake Head Start team have provided classroom and home-based services to those in need, currently serving over 1,100 children and families annually. Additionally, they partner with other local recreational sites such as Blank Park Zoo and Living History Farms to offer families events they may not otherwise be able to attend.

We recognize, honor and applaud Drake Head Start for the tremendous work they perform and their incredible devotion to the community!

— Trevon Smith, On behalf of All Staff Council

News & Achievements Archive

Drake University Law School advances to National Moot Court Competition

Not one but two Drake Law National Moot Court teams rose to the top of their recent regional competition to compete against each other in the final round. Both teams demonstrated their hard work and excellence in written and oral advocacy but only one could win and move on to compete in the National competition in New York City early next year. The Drake Law team of Elizabeth Boyer, Ben Wolf, and Catherine Dukelow narrowly beat the second Drake team of Steffi Lee Dwyer, Caleb Piersma, and NaRayah Runyon in the finals to advance to nationals. Both teams are coached by Louis Sloven, LW’15.

The regional competition was held virtually and hosted by Drake Law School on Nov. 7. This event invites two competition teams from each participating law school, including Drake, the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, and the University of South Dakota.

The Drake Law teams excelled throughout the competition. During preliminary rounds, Piersma, Dwyer, and Boyer ranked in the top five best oralists. Elizabeth Boyer was recognized as best oralist in the final round and named best oralist of the overall competition. The team of Dwyer, Piersma, and Runyon won best brief honors for the competition.

When asked about the preparation process leading up to the team’s win, Catherine Dukelow said, “It has been stressful, but I can tell it has helped improve my persuasive writing and oral advocacy … Elizabeth has been an absolutely amazing team captain and it is wonderful to work with and learn from her.”

“It was a great opportunity to learn from experienced advocates and judges, including justices from the Iowa Supreme Court,” Ben Wolf said. “I’m truly grateful to all the people who invested their time and energy into our team.”

Drake Law School is recognized as a Top School for Trial Advocacy by preLaw magazine, due in part to the strength of our Moot Court programs. Drake Law offers numerous opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and hone their trial and advocacy skills through moot court and mock trial team participation, in addition to intra-school competitions. These experiences help students learn to work well under pressure and think on their feet and gives them the self confidence they need to become successful advocates.

Please visit our website for more information.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School