All posts by Maria Rohach

For Faculty Archive

Deadline Approaching for DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence, Spring 2026

Drake University is seeking interested faculty to apply for the DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence position to teach and support student learning on Drake’s semester-long, cohort-model, study abroad program in Seville, Spain.

The DU Spain Semester Faculty-in-Residence application is live through Qualtrics for Spring 2026. To learn more about this opportunity including eligibility, compensation, responsibilities, and to officially apply, go to https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0NiU9mtxxVKgC3A

Submissions are due Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. If you have questions or want to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to Maria Rohach, director of education abroad, at maria.rohach@drake.edu to schedule time to meet.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Bundle Up With Bulldog Gear

Grab your winter essentials from the Bulldog Shop today to keep you ready for anything the season throws your way. Check out two of our must-have pieces:

  • Windbreaker Jacket: Lightweight and breathable, perfect for those unpredictable Iowa days.
  • Bomber Jacket: Sleek, warm, and ready to elevate your Bulldog style.

This is the perfect time to refresh your winter wardrobe—come visit us in-store or shop online.

— The Bulldog Shop

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Inviting Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Awards

In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values.

This year, the Provost’s office has added the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award to the list in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s awards. Each year a member of the Drake University faculty will be honored with this award for their scholarship excellence as detailed in the call for nominations accessible below.

Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

Strategic Updates Archive

Provost’s Social and Special Exhibition Today, 4 p.m., Cline Atrium

The February Provost’s Social will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Cline Atrium beginning at 4 p.m.

This month’s social will include a special exhibition on AI facial recognition-defeating textile art, with a themed raffle and short presentation by Professor Sayoko Blodgett-Ford. Please join us to explore this fascinating intersection of technology and art.

Refreshments will include an assortment of beverages, cupcakes, and light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

SPARC Speed Networking Event

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance (SPARC) is hosting a fun, interactive faculty event on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 212 (faculty lounge).

RSVP

RSVP by noon on Feb. 10 to lori.byrd@drake.edu.

The networking event is an opportunity to:

  • Meet other faculty
  • Bring your project ideas to share
  • Identify possible collaborations

Come and go as you are available! However, the longer you stay the more faculty you will meet.

SPARC staff will also be on hand to discuss funding opportunities and answer questions. Refreshments will be available.

— Lori Byrd, Director, Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Call for nominations: Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service awards

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2025 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The Distinguished Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for each of these awards can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 3.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Wellness Premium Incentive reminder

Many start the year out by getting their annual physical. If that sounds like you and you are on Drake’s health plan, don’t forget to take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your appointment.This form can be found on the Drake HR Internal website. Just look for Wellness Premium Discount under the DU Well – Wellness and Wellbeing tab.

Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed form by Dec. 1, 2025, will qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, which is a savings of over $30 per month.

If you already had your physical since Dec. 1, 2024, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you turned in your form last year—great! But don’t forget, this is an annual event.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Inspiring reads on Middle Eastern history and culture

Cowles Library invites you to explore its latest featured collection, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East. This curated selection includes titles spanning a wide array of topics, from philosophy and politics to cinema, music, and beyond.

Dive into both fiction and nonfiction works by Middle Eastern authors to gain insight into the history, culture, and diverse perspectives of this region.

Visit the library to uncover inspiring reads and hidden treasures. There’s always something new waiting for you!

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Nine tips for winter walking

Numerous injuries result from slips and falls on icy sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and other outdoor locations. Snow removal and frequent salting of these areas can help. Many times, total elimination of the hazard is impossible, and measures must be taken to cope with this problem.

What precautions can we take to reduce both the frequency and severity of injuries which result from this hazard? Being aware of the danger is very important.

  1. Anticipate falls. Often ice will appear in the morning, in shady spots or where the sun shines during the day and melted snow refreezes at night.
  2. Wear the right shoes. The type of footwear you have on is very important during icy conditions. Footwear should have low heels with soles constructed of a slip-resistant material.  We shouldn’t wear footwear that is not able to grip the surface we are walking on.
  3. Be careful when you shift your weight. When stepping off a curb or getting into a car, shifting your weight may cause an imbalance and result in a fall.
  4. Shorten your stride—take shorter steps. You should adjust your stride so that your center of gravity is maintained directly above your feet at all times. Walk with your feet spread further apart laterally than you would under normal conditions.
  5. Plan ahead. While walking on snow or ice on sidewalks or in parking lots, walk consciously. Instead of looking down, look up and see where your feet will move next to anticipate ice or an uneven surface. Occasionally scan from left to right to ensure you are not in the way of vehicles or other hazards. Be careful about what you walk under.  Injuries also can result from falling snow/ice as it blows, melts, or breaks away from awnings, buildings, etc.
  6. Use your eyes and ears. While seeing the environment is important, you also want to be sure you can hear approaching traffic and other noises. Avoid listening to music or engaging in conversation that may prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or snow removal equipment.
  7. Walk slowly on steps. When walking down steps, be sure to grip handrails firmly and plant your feet securely on each step.
  8. Avoid taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are a good idea if you are in a hurry, but may be a bad idea if there is snow and ice on the ground. A shortcut path may be treacherous because it is likely to be located where snow and ice removal is not possible.
  9. Try not to track snow into buildings. When you get to your destination, be sure to look at the floor as you enter the building. The floor may be wet with melted snow and ice. Wipe your feet off at the entrance so others won’t slip and fall on melted snow.

— Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Reminder: Writing in Your Academic Field faculty development for Spring 2025

Written communication is important in almost any academic field, but the genres and accepted conventions of writing vary from discipline to discipline. In this project, we will discuss ways to integrate writing instruction into courses for which written communication is not necessarily the primary learning outcome, as well as courses that require students to communicate in field-specific ways (for instance, lab reports or business memos).

Instructors who participate in this project will have a one-semester commitment that will include:

  • Working with the Director of Writing, Megan Brown, on the development of a writing assignment, writing activities, or a writing project for one of their spring classes.
  • Attending hour-long meetings of all participants in the program in February, March, and April (or early May) 2025.  These meetings may be structured as two sessions each month, with half of the group at each session, to facilitate more in-depth discussion.
  • Requiring all students enrolled in their class to attend tutoring sessions at the Writing Center at least twice during the semester.

After completing the project and attending the final meeting, participants will receive a $500 stipend.

Participation is limited to 10 individuals.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Madison Bemus (madison.bemus@drake.edu) by Monday, January 27.

If you have questions, please contact Megan Brown (megan.brown@drake.edu).

— Megan Brown, Professor of English/Director of Writing