All posts by Linda Feiden

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Try these meditation resources

Over the years, and especially during the pandemic, you may have heard the term “meditation.”  If you think meditation is only about sitting with your legs crossed and chanting, you may be surprised to know the many varieties available to you.

What is meditation, and how can it be useful? Meditation is way to help you achieve a heightened state of focused attention. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve physical and mental well-being, and help you become more resilient.

There are several ways to practice meditation. Some methods may appeal to you more than others.  It could be guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, or a physical form of meditation such as Tai Chi. Take a moment to check out these resources. Experiment, and you will likely find out what types of meditation work best for you and what you enjoy doing.

Just a little time and practice could make a significant difference in your well-being. And you are worth it!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

In memoriam: Theresa Graziano

I am deeply saddened to share that our former Drake colleague Theresa Graziano passed away on Nov. 15, 2021. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the service starting at 11 a.m. at St. Augustin Catholic Church, located at 545 42nd Street in Des Moines.

Theresa served Drake and our students for more than 20 years within the Office of Residence Life and the Division of Student Affairs. Theresa enjoyed working with students, meeting families at orientation, and serving on various campus and community committees. One of our former students may have said it best when they wrote a message in remembrance of Theresa saying, “There are few people who can get you in check and make you feel loved all in the same moment. Theresa was one of the brightest spots in my time at Drake.” Theresa was a wonderful person and colleague. Her spirit lives on, shining brightly, through all of the lives she touched. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and the many employees and students who were graced by her kindness. Our sincere sympathy goes out to all of Theresa’s family.

Read Theresa’s full obituary

— Jerry Parker, Chief Student Affairs Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Student research symposia submission deadline Friday

This is a final reminder that the deadline for student paper (or concept) submissions for the Spring 2022 Nelson Student Research Symposia is Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. This year, the symposia seeks student presentations focused on the theme “what it means to be a changemaker in their discipline and how their discipline is addressing a contemporary global issue or societal challenge.” I encourage students to submit papers that they have written for their coursework during the past fall, J-Term, or other terms for presentation at the Spring 2022 symposia. Please keep in mind that while research presentations that support the theme are encouraged, all global topics from any academic discipline are welcome. Information regarding the submission and participation can be accessed here or https://www.drake.edu/nelsoninstitute/students/researchsymposia/callforproposals/.

— Jimmy Senteza, CBPA

For Students Archive

Apply today: The Naumann Women’s Leadership Scholarship

Calling all undergraduate women in student leadership roles! You are invited to apply for the Deni Druehl Naumann Women’s Leadership Scholarship.

The scholarship was established by Deni Druehl (JO’78) and Michael Naumann in April 2014 to recognize undergraduate women at Drake University who inspire, have passion, and positively impact the lives of others around them. Applicants to this scholarship must exhibit a commitment to contribute their leadership skills and talents to Drake activities such as (but not limited to): the Adams Leadership Institute, the LEAD concentration, recognized campus student organizations, and/or University sponsored activities, e.g. Panhellenic Council, Residence Life, and/or Student Senate.

The selected scholarship recipient will be awarded $2,000 to be disbursed during the 2022–2023 academic year. The scholarship is not automatically renewed each year, but previous recipients are eligible to apply each year following their initial award.

To apply for the scholarship, please submit an application at the link below by March 1 at 11:59 p.m. Candidates will be notified of their selection status by April 1.

Please submit the following information in the application form: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3qG3Ft0htAW19VH

Be prepared to submit the following information in the application form linked above:

  • Name, Primary Major, Drake GPA, and anticipated graduation term (i.e. Spring 2024)
  • Essay Questions:
  1. Describe your most meaningful leadership experience and/or role on campus as a student at Drake. What, specifically, have you learned as a result?
  2. Describe a female or woman-identified student whose leadership has made a positive impact on your college experience at Drake University. What have you learned from her, and how will you apply it moving forward?
  3. How would this scholarship assist you in making a positive impact among other women in our Drake University campus community?

For questions, contact Kristin Economos, director of student leadership programs, at kristin.economos@drake.edu.

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement

HR Information Archive

No co-pays, additional benefits for Broadlawns services

Drake’s exciting new partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center took effect on Jan. 1, 2022. As a reminder, Drake health plan participants who choose Broadlawns providers for their care, will experience special pricing, including:

  • no co-pays for urgent care/walk-in clinic visits
  • no co-pays for primary care visits
  • no co-pays for specialist visits
  • a lower out-of-pocket maximum
  • lower deductibles for emergency room visits, as well as for both outpatient and inpatient care

You can review the pricing in greater detail on page seven of Drake’s new digital benefits guide.

There are several Broadlawns providers who are currently accepting new patients, and we want to provide introductions to two of them who have existing ties to Drake:

Nick Galioto, MD, is already known to many at Drake. “Dr. G” has served as the primary care physician for Drake student athletes since 2006.  He also recently oversaw services for the Drake Student Health Center. Dr. Galioto serves as the director of the Transitional Year Residency Program, is the associate director of the Family Medicine Residency Program, and is the associate director of medical education at Broadlawns Medical Center. His clinical expertise goes beyond primary care medicine and includes  sports medicine, cardiovascular disease, and dermatology. He currently works out of the Broadlawns Family Health Center located at 1761 Hickman Road.

Julie Rice, tLMHC, is a mental health therapist who also has close ties to Drake. Julie Rice earned her master’s at Drake and served as  an intern at the Drake Student Counseling Center. Her clinical interests include cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy. Julie currently works out of the Broadlawns Outpatient Mental Health Clinic  also located at 1761 Hickman Road. You can read more about Julie Rice in this article, A Daily Dose of Self-Care, that was published in Des Moines Magazine in November.

If you have questions about the new Broadlawns partnership or would like to see other aspects of Broadlawns services featured in OnCampus, please reach out to drakehr@drake.edu.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Meet Kum & Go CEO Tanner Krause at Harkin Institute event

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement is proud to announce our next Young Professional Event on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. with Kum & Go CEO Tanner Krause.

Profiled in The Des Moines Register as “a next generation leader” for his visionary business practices, Krause will present on his career and experiences, and students will have the opportunity to ask Krause questions about his background and experience in the field of business. The event is free to attend, and there will be food provided prior to the event. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 6 p.m.

Capacity is limited to 25 people for the event and is limited to Drake University Students. Please RSVP using this link.

Event date and format are subject to change based on Drake University COVID-19 guidelines.

— Emily Schettler, Harkin Institute

For Students Archive

Join Alpha Phi in celebrating Go Red Week

Alpha Phi is hosting their annual Go Red Week from Feb. 7–11. The week is focused on raising awareness for the importance of women’s heart health. On Monday and Tuesday, in partnership with the pharmacy organization APhA-ASP, members will be tabling in the Olmsted Breezeway (Monday 9–11 a.m., Tuesday 11–1 p.m.) with informational materials and heart-healthy snacks. Visitors can pick up strawberries and chocolate hummus and send a valentine to anyone on campus. Follow along with Alpha Phi’s Go Red Week on social media @drakealphaphi and prioritize your heart health this February.

— Kiley Kahler, Senior

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Coronavirus increasingly used for phishing scams

Scammers are using the recent Omicron surge as bait in phishing attacks. These new phishing campaigns often use official-looking emails about the Coronavirus to get people to provide their email addresses, personal information, and passwords.

In one example, the attackers promised to provide a list of the area’s active infections to trick potential victims into clicking a link in the message leading to a page designed to steal their credentials.

In another phishing email, the attackers tried to pass as an official alert message from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus scams have taken many forms, including:

  • Alerts from local or national health organizations about local Omicron cases.
  • Updates from an employer about policies or procedures to address the risk.
  • Emerging information about protecting yourself, your children, or your community.
  • Charitable appeals to help Coronavirus victims.

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:

  • Don’t click on links from unknown sources. This could download harmful malware onto your computer or device.
  • Go directly to the source for the most up-to-date information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) official websites.
  • Do your homework before donating to a charity or a crowdfunding site. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card or by wiring money, don’t do it.
  • Beware of “investment opportunities” for emerging Coronavirus cures, tests, or treatments. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is seeing an increasing number of false online claims of Coronavirus-related stocks that are about to dramatically increase in value.
  • Shop around. Scammers often overcharge for health-related products or their shipping costs, or send counterfeit items, so always comparison shop.

ITS will continue to simulate phishing and assign training to those most susceptible. If you believe you’ve been targeted by phishing, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

—Chris Mielke, ITS