Are you interested in improving your money management skills? Do you wish you knew more about investing and credit? Do you need to learn more about the benefits that employers offer? Drake University has partnered with GradReady® to provide a free digital platform where you can learn about these topics at your own pace from any device. Visit drake.gradready.com to create your account and get started today.
— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid
All Staff Council is holding a Bulldog Connect networking lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Special Events and Community Service Committee is hosting this month. Enjoy learning what staff on this committee focus on throughout the year. Anyone is welcome to come for a $5 lunch at Hubbell. Look for the table with the Drake swag and a special Bulldogs Connect table tent in Hubbell.
Also a reminder that All Staff Council invites you to share any suggestions, concerns, or other feedback you’d like us to look into using this form. (If you’d like us to respond to your feedback directly, please include your name and contact information, otherwise let us know your thoughts anonymously.)
— Megan Franklin, On behalf of All Staff Council
Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Iowa, is the Ambassador-in-Residence at Drake University. Branstad is available to meet weekly with Drake students, faculty, staff, and clubs and participate in class lectures each semester. (Schedule a meeting by clicking here, or if the requested length, day, or time is not in the designated meeting times, email ambassador@drake.edu.)
Branstad is a partner at Branstad Churchill Group, LLC, an international consulting firm that provides advice, guidance and solutions to organizations, corporate leaders and investors seeking to navigate the complexities associated with conducting business in China and the United States. He was also recently named president of the World Food Prize Foundation.
Internships are available to Drake students at both Branstad Churchill Group and the World Food Prize. Check Handshake for openings.
Branstad holds the record for being the longest-serving governor in American history (1983-99, 2011-17) and was appointed ambassador to China (2017-20) in part due to his long-standing relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Formerly, Branstad served as president of Des Moines University (2003-09) and Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (1979-83). In 1972, while attending Drake Law School, he decided to run for the Iowa House of Representatives, where he served in from 1973-79. He is quick to point out that he selected blue and white for his campaign colors as a tribute to Drake University.
— Luke Clausen, JO, AS
Attend a career conference Friday, March 3, from 12–4 p.m. that celebrates being unstoppable and authentically you. Sessions will be available both in-person in Sheslow Auditorium and Levitt Hall, as well as live on Zoom.
Throughout the day, you will build your True Blue Skills (career competencies), network with alumni and employers, and experience nationally recognized speakers who will challenge you to be authentic in the pursuit of your goals.
Links to live Zoom sessions will be accessible on the conference website: https://www.drake.edu/careerconference/.
— Amanda Wroblewski, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Registration for the 14th annual Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is now open with a two-day flash sale ending on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Register today and you can join thousands of other Grand Blue Mile enthusiasts by registering for ONLY $10—which includes an official participant shirt. Gather your friends and family to part in Midwest’s premier one-mile run/walk community event on Tuesday, April 25, in Downtown Des Moines or participate virtually in your hometown. Sign up now at GrandBlueMile.com.
— Tanner Nissen, Athletics
Want to champion Sustainability initiatives on Drake’s Campus? Sign up to be on the mailing list for the Sustainability Committee. The first orders of business the committee will go over include the draft of the Sustainability Strategic Plan, the Drake Transportation Survey, and ideas to revamp our Blue is Green program. Obtaining feedback on the Strategic Plan is integral to making sure the plan reflects the university’s shared values as it outlines the sustainability goals and strategies we will pursue over the next ten years.
The committee aims to foster socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable practices and culture throughout Drake’s campus. It will provide sustainability oversight, serve to make policy recommendations, and assist in the implementation of policies and practices aimed at advancing long term-environmental sustainability.
Please fill out this Google Form so you can be added to the mailing list to find out more information. If you have any questions about the committee or the Sustainability Strategic Plan, send an email to Hannah Remke, the Sustainability Coordinator, at hannah.remke@drake.edu.
— Hannah Remke, Facilities Planning and Management
Join the Student Alumni Association and the Central Iowa Regional Alumni Board for a pre-game pizza party at Dough Co. Pizza on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for current Drake students to network with regional alumni and to cheer on the Drake Men’s Basketball team ahead of their game against Belmont Bruins.
All attendees will receive a free slice of pizza and vintage Drake University merchandise. The first 20 student attendees will receive a free drink ticket (21+).
Reach out to Marguerite Stoffel (marguerite.stoffel@drake.edu) with questions.
— Stephanie Kiel, AS’23
Drake is excited to announce DU England: Harlaxton as our second cohort-model semester study abroad program. The program will be offered each fall, starting Fall 2023, with Professor of Psychology Maria Clapham as the inaugural Drake Faculty-in-Residence teaching on the program.
Harlaxton College is one of the most unique study abroad locations in the UK based at a Victorian Manor and has been operating for over 50 years. Set in 300 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of England, Harlaxton allows our student cohort to enjoy the British Midlands with the ability to be in London in about an hour. The Drake cohort-model program will include the Harlaxton semester experience, with students taking classes taught by British and visiting faculty members, as well as additional specialized activities and excursions exclusive to Drake courses.
Campus visit from Harlaxton representative on Feb. 20 & 21
A representative for Harlaxton College, Jordan Hall, will be visiting Drake University on Monday, Feb. 20, and Tuesday, Feb. 21. She is available morning through the evening. If you are interested in learning more about Harlaxton, we would love to set up a meeting with you and Jordan to get more in-depth information on this exciting new program. We can schedule:
In addition, you are invited to attend a Faculty-In-Residence information session on Monday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. in Olmsted TMR132 to learn about teaching at Harlaxton.
If you have questions about DU England: Harlaxton, please reach out to Maria Rohach, director of education abroad at maria.rohach@drake.edu.
— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement
Drake is excited to announce DU England: Harlaxton as our second cohort-model semester study abroad program. The program will be offered each fall, starting Fall 2023, with Professor of Psychology Maria Clapham as the inaugural Drake Faculty-in-Residence teaching on the program.
Harlaxton College is one of the most unique study abroad locations in the UK based at a Victorian Manor and has been operating for over 50 years. Set in 300 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of England, Harlaxton allows our student cohort to enjoy the British Midlands with the ability to be in London in about an hour. Harlaxton’s central location in Lincolnshire also brings other major cities and towns within easy reach, allowing academic and culturally important sites to be visited in an afternoon, a day out, or weekend away. The Drake cohort-model program will include the Harlaxton semester experience, with students taking classes taught by British and visiting faculty members, as well as additional specialized activities and excursions exclusive to Drake courses.
Campus visit from Harlaxton representative on Feb. 20 & 21
A representative for Harlaxton College, Jordan Hall, will be visiting Drake University on Monday, Feb. 20, and Tuesday, Feb. 21. If you are interested in learning more about Harlaxton, we can set up an advising appointment with you and Jordan to get more in-depth information of this exciting new program.
In addition, you are invited to attend a program information session on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in Olmsted TMR132 to learn about studying at Harlaxton this upcoming fall semester.
If you have questions about DU England: Harlaxton or want to schedule an advising appointment, reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu. To apply to DU England: Harlaxton for fall 2023, you can apply through Terra Dotta here.
— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement
Drake Honorary Degree and Drake Medal nominations are being accepted through March 31, 2023. There is a new form for nominations. Completed nominations can be sent to Carrie Koenigsfeld, committee chair, at carrie.koenigsfeld@drake.edu.
— Madison Bemus, Provost’s Office
