All posts by Christine Urish

Campus Announcements Archive

April is Occupational Therapy month: learn and participate in some engaging occupations

April is Occupational Therapy Month! Occupational Therapy faculty and students are excited to share some occupations that we use with the clients we serve and explain more about the profession. Please make note of the location and time as they vary throughout the month. All activities are free, however some may have limited capacity due to supplies/materials.

April 1, 12 p.m., OT Building (3003 Forest Ave)
Spring craft – flower pot and mini chicks – Dr. Yolanda Griffiths (Maximum of 12 participants), others can attend, watch, socialize and learn.

April 14, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Cline Atrium
Sensory Based Mindfulness Activities – Zentangle & Aromatherapy – Dr. Christine Urish

April 18, 12–1 p.m., Cline Atrium
How Sensory Impairment Impacts Faculty & Students in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) – Dr. Nicci Kuhl & Dr. Rachel Allen-McHugh

April 25, 11:30–12:30, Cline Atrium
How OT’s adapt tasks for children and adults – OT Students: Zayla Jyawook, Jenna Gregoire, Morgan Tegtmeier

To learn more about occupational therapy visit, aota.org.

To learn more about occupational therapy at Drake visit, drake.edu/ot.

— Christine Urish, Occupational Therapy

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Prevention work group

Are you engaging in conversations about sexual assault, gender based violence, or dating and sexual relationships within the work you are doing on campus? With April being sexual assault awareness month, I am inspired to connect with others across campus.

As the Director of Prevention Education and Programs, I know I am not in this work alone. One of my goals for the year is to connect with others throughout campus who are ‘doing the work’ with me.

If you have an interest in sharing the work you are doing to advance prevention conversations or are simply interested in knowing more about the formal prevention efforts being done through the Prevention Office, I welcome you to fill out this form.

This group would meet a few times a year to support, collaborate, and connect about prevention work.

— Lynne Cornelius, Violence Prevention and Programming

Campus Announcements Archive

Join us in rewarding Iowans who are making a difference

It’s important to recognize the individuals and organizations making a positive difference in our communities. You can help make that happen by participating in the Iowa Character Awards nominations.

Here’s what you need to know about the award benefits, how to nominate, who is eligible, and how to get started. Plus, more information is available online.

How To Nominate

Anyone can submit a nomination. You can nominate family, friends, co-workers, and community members. You can even nominate your own school, team, organization, or company. Nominations are due May 3, 2020.

The easy online nomination form includes 3 sections:

  1. Introduce us to your nominee.
  2. How has your nominee impacted your life and/or the lives of others?
  3. In what ways does your nominee show good character?

Plus, you have the option to upload letters of recommendation and other attachments.

Awards Benefits

• • • Prime-Time TV Special • • •

Award recipients will be featured in a one-hour Iowa Character Awards prime-time special that will air in the summer/fall of 2022.

The special includes features on each award recipient. Check out our playlist of the 2021 recipients.

• • • Awards Dinner • • •

Each year, more than 400 people gather to honor Award recipients. All nominees are invited to attend the celebration.

The 2022 Iowa Character Awards dinner will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, in Altoona, IA.

• • • Hometown Celebration • • •

Award recipients will also be honored in their hometowns during a special event organized by The Ray Center. We’ve honored recipients at football games, school assemblies, family events, and more.

• • • All Nominees Are Recognized • • •

All nominees will

  • receive a certificate of nomination and a copy of their nomination form,
  • be provided with two complimentary tickets to attend the Iowa Character Awards recognition dinner,
  • have their name listed in the printed program at the awards dinner.

Who Can Be Nominated?

Individuals, organizations, and communities who have not received an Iowa Character Award in the last five years are eligible. Previous nominees and Honorable Mentions recipients are eligible.

Individuals must be Iowa residents, and organizations must have locations in Iowa.

Youth nominees should be between the ages of 10 -19 as of May 1, 2022.

Learn more and start a nomination.

— Amy Smit, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Dining responds to focus group feedback

Thank you to all the students who attended this semester’s focus group. We appreciate that you took the time to come and give feedback on our dining services. Drake Dining is working hard to always address feedback in a timely manner to ensure the best experience for each of our guests.

During our last focus group, some of the popular comments included the improvement of the variety of options including increased vegetarian and vegan choices. Some things to look for during the remainder of the semester are:

  • Big City Bites campaign that will feature cuisines from those areas
  • Weekly promotional events
  • Revamped social media channels with daily updates of menu features
  • Addition of several sous chefs and an executive chef to help oversee the quality and freshness of every meal

We will continue to have focus groups every semester and we hope to see you there. At any time if you have feedback, we welcome you to reach out to our Dietitian Samantha Matt at samantha.matt@drake.edu. You can also find us @DrakeDining on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or scan our QR Code that can be found throughout the dining hall.

— Shaelyn Hankins, Dining Services

For Students Archive

Meal with Hannah Clayborne, dean of students

Join Hannah Clayborne, dean of students, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Meals will be provided at Hubbell Dining Hall and sign-up is limited to ten students on a first-come first-served basis. Registration is required for this event. Please review the available slots below and click here to register.

Monday, April 18
8–9 a.m. – Breakfast
9–10 a.m. – Breakfast
6–7 p.m. – Dinner

Thursday, April 21
5:30–6:30 p.m. – Dinner

Friday, April 22
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Lunch

Contact Gina Ryan (gina.ryan@drake.edu) with questions.

HR Information Archive

Walk this May step challenge

Now that spring has sprung, it is time to go outdoors and get moving. If you need a little nudge, we are bringing back the Walk this May team step challenge. During the month of May, teams of 4 to 5 will record their weekly step counts. Totals and how teams rank will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by April 26. You may register as a team of 4 to 5 or register individually and you will be placed on a team. Grab your shoes and let’s get going.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Join Drake’s team for the Des Moines Corporate Games

Drake will be participating in this summer’s Des Moines Corporate Games. This annual company-based competition runs June 1–July 31, promoting company pride and corporate wellbeing through healthy competition. Join Drake’s team and compete for a chance to win individual and team medals as well as the Corporate Games trophy.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. This year there are both in-person and virtual opportunities. All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except for golf cart rental). You are welcome and encouraged to participate in as many events as you wish. These games are open to all faculty, staff, student employees, interns, and retirees.  Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Be part of the 112th Drake Relays: volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to help with the festivities of the 112th Drake Relays. Volunteers will receive a Drake Relays T-shirt when they check-in for their shift.

Roles include:

  • Assisting with starter blocks
  • Distributing medals to participants at Drake Road Races
  • Assisting at field events

Find all the volunteer shifts below:

Thank you for making America’s Athletic Classic the world’s best track and field meet.

Campus Announcements Archive

Jon Meacham books at Bulldog Shop

If you did not have a chance to attend the Bucksbaum lecture last week, the Bulldog Shop has books written by Bucksbaum lecturer and Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Jon Meacham on hand until April 15. Meacham’s books The Soul of America and His Truth is Marching On are available for purchase. 

— Kyle McVay, Bulldog Shop