All posts by Drinda Williams

For Staff Archive

High-five from Griff II now circulating

Drake staff have been receiving some special Griff II magnets this month as part of Staff Appreciation Month. One hundred magnets are being distributed through All Staff Council to circulate among staff throughout the month of March.

Here’s how it works:

  • The magnets will be given out as a high-five for a job well done—a way to say, “I see you, and I appreciate you.”
  • Once received, individuals are encouraged to keep the magnets for just a few days, but be watching for a colleague who also deserves a high-five.
  • The magnets can be handed off again and again, reaching as many of Drake’s amazing staff members as possible.

Feel free to add a note of appreciation, a treat, or a simple  smile—just keep those magnets circulating.

This is a joint project through the All Staff Council Recognition Committee and Human Resources.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10 – Faculty mentoring program launch Summer 2022

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

Good faculty mentoring increases our ability to retain high quality faculty; it also helps create and sustain job satisfaction across the lifespan of a faculty career.  There are several models for creating a good mentoring program—one that supports faculty from the moment they are hired until the moment they retire.

Are you interested in being part of a faculty mentoring program—either as someone who receives mentoring, or as someone who provides it? I’d like to have a conversation about what your needs, expectations, experiences, and capacities might be as I look forward to launching a comprehensive faculty mentoring program as part of the Center for Teaching Excellence over the summer.

Please plan ahead to participate in a conversation after spring break, Friday, March 25, from 1:30–3 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 210.  Register here, so we can provide hospitality. If you cannot attend but would like to be a mentor—or be assigned a mentor—please email renee.cramer@.drake.edu to inform me.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10 – Upcoming Books for Breakfast read ‘The Agile College’

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

Our March read for Books for Breakfast is Nathan Grawe’s Agile College: How Institutions Successfully Navigate Demographic Change.  You will remember Professor Grawe from the 2019 Learning Symposium, and before that through faculty senate’s engagement with his work during the 2018–2019 school year. This book is his newest, and it constitutes a follow-up to the one about the dreaded demographic cliff.

Even better, we have guest facilitators for this book: Sean Severe (CBPA) and Natalie Bayer (A&S). Please join Sean, Natalie, and me on March 8 and March 22, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in Howard Hall, Room 210. Register here by Feb. 25.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive

Faculty Senate at-large election results

The Faculty Senate at-large election closed last week. Incoming at-large senators who will serve two-year terms are:

  • Megan Brown, Professor of English
  • Anisa Hansen, Professor of Pharmacy Practice
  • Kevin Lam, Associate Professor of Urban and Diversity Education
  • Carrie Dunham-LaGree, Associate Professor of Librarianship

The results have been verified by two All Staff Council representatives.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Campus Announcements Archive

Call for entries: 51st annual Student Juried Exhibition

The call for entries is now open for the 51st Annual Juried Student Exhibition at the Anderson Gallery.

The exhibition is open to all Drake students and all media is accepted. Students are encouraged to submit drawings, paintings, designs, sculptures, prints, performance, and more.

Mitchell Squire, multidisciplinary artist, curator, and educator will serve as this year’s juror.

Limit four entries per person. Submissions are due Feb. 28. Submit here.

The exhibition will run from March 27 to April 15, 2022. For questions, contact Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery manager, at lilah.anderson@drake.edu.

— Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Midwest conference on scholarship of teaching and learning

The Midwest Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning takes place at Indiana University at South Bend April 1.  The theme is Authentic and Joyous Learning, and my office is (joyfully) able to offer financial support to two faculty who wish to attend and share what they learn, with a preference for funding to those faculty who are currently engaged in SOTL work. Please email renee.cramer@drake.edu and nicki.kimm@drake.edu by March 1 if you would like to access this opportunity; we will contact you by March 4 for planning purposes.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Campus Announcements Archive

Celebrate Student Press Freedom Day

Student Press Freedom Day is an annual day of celebration founded by the Student Press Law Center in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of the First Amendment and student journalism. As part of the 2022 celebration on Feb. 24, and in coordination with the theme ‘Unmute Yourself,’ The Times-Delphic will hold a day of events to raise awareness about the importance of student press freedom while giving Drake students the opportunity to ‘unmute themselves’ through interactive events. View the full schedule. 

— Emma Brustkern, Senior

Campus Announcements Archive

New ITS internal department site

Information Technology Services (ITS) is excited to announce the launch of its new internal department site for students, faculty, and staff. You can find ITS’ internal department site from myDrake by going to the Department Sites link in the Campus Resources section, and then accessing Information Technology Services from the Campus Services subsection.

ITS will continue to work with individual departments across campus to move their internal-facing content into their internal department sites. If your department would like to start creating your area’s internal site, please reach out.

— Jeff Regan, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Be Limitless virtual career conference

Join us for a virtual career conference that celebrates being limitless and authentically you in the pursuit of your goals.

The event will be held virtually on March 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features speakers from around the country. With the focus on inspiring you to be limitless, the conference is relevant for all majors, first-year students, and grad students.

Why should you attend?

  • Keynote speaker Christen Brandt, author and She’s the First co-founder will walk you through the process of creating your own impact plan, finding your North Star, and avoiding the biggest mistakes in social change.
  • Hear about career journeys and engage with professionals on a variety of topics on which you can learn today and practice tomorrow!
  • Get guidance on how to jumpstart your career, live authentically, and be confident in a professional setting.
  • Practical tips on how to be limitless in a changing work culture and tips to navigate burnout and reduce stress.
  • Sessions will be interactive to provide students with the chance to engage and network with presenters!
  • Build your True Blue Skills (career competencies)!

Register for the conference with your Drake email.

Full conference details:  drake.edu/careerconference/.

— Annette Watson, Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Men’s Basketball Faculty Appreciation Day Feb. 26

Drake Men’s Basketball will host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. during their final home game of the season. Each faculty and staff member can receive up to four complimentary tickets to the game. Redeem tickets here.

For more information on all Faculty and Staff Appreciation days, visit DrakeTix.com/facultyandstaffdays. Please remember that per Drake University policy, masks are required in the Knapp Center. Please email tickets@drake.edu with any questions.

— Aimee Lane, Athletics