All posts by Linda Feiden

Join the Stop, Drop, and Roll, Holiday Challenge

The holiday season can be a challenge when it comes to taking care of ourselves, so we are bringing back the Stop, Drop, and Roll holiday challenge to help.  ‘Stop’ the potential holiday weight gain, ‘Drop’ some of the bad habits, while picking up a few good ones, and ‘Roll’ into the New Year on a healthier path.

Each week we will focus on a different topic from healthier eating and physical activity to sleep, taking a breath, and making social connections.

Even if weight gain isn’t a problem or priority for you, this program will cover wellbeing topics pertinent to everyone.

Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Friday, Nov. 22 to register.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Don’t forget to turn in your Premium Discount – Annual Physical Form by Dec. 2

If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out.  This is an annual requirement to receive a wellness premium discount – a savings of approximately $34 per month.

As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with in-network provider, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  If you cannot get into your provider, you are welcome to contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to Nov. 30.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physical form with you.

You can read more about the discount program and download the physical form for 2025 on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is an important way to receive health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

EXTRA DISCOUNT: Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day at Bulldog Shop

Save the date: Tuesday, November 26

It’s the season for thankfulness and giving, and Bulldog Shop wants to show our appreciation to all Drake faculty and staff. For one day only, all Drake employees can DOUBLE THEIR DISCOUNT on in-store purchases at Bulldog Shop. Enjoy your 15% off staff discount plus an additional 15% off. Simply show your employee ID at checkout to redeem. Don’t miss out! Set that reminder in your calendar now!

Bulldog Shop

Unique Opportunity to Elect Supplemental Life Insurance through Open Enrollment

Drake University’s Open Enrollment will be held from November 1 – December 2, 2024.  During this time, eligible employees have an opportunity to make benefit changes for the upcoming Plan Year.

Full-time employees have a unique opportunity to elect supplemental life insurance for themselves, spouses/partners, and dependent children. Drake University’s new partnership with The Hartford will provide benefit eligible employees an opportunity to purchase additional life insurance coverage in $25,000 increments up to $400,000 without providing proof of good health, during the open enrollment period.

The Hartford is providing a similar opportunity to purchase supplemental coverage for eligible dependents during the open enrollment period. Full-time employees may purchase coverage in $10,000 increments up to $100,000 (up to 50% of the employee elected amount) for their spouse/partners, as well as coverage in $2,500 increments (up to $10,000) for children up to age 26, without providing proof of good health.

This is a unique opportunity for full-time employees to purchase additional coverage beyond the Drake-sponsored basic life insurance benefit. It provides a wonderful opportunity to provide additional financial support for employees and their families in the event of a death.

If you have questions about Drake benefits, we encourage you to join us Friday, November 15th from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 313, Olmsted Center. Wellmark, HealthEquity and The Hartford vendors will be present to answer your questions. For additional information about Drake’s insurance benefits, click here.

As a reminder, this opportunity will only be made available during the current open enrollment period. All benefit elections for the 2025 Plan Year must be made in the Benefits Portal in myDrake no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 2, 2024.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Drake Launches two new full-tuition coverage options

Dear colleagues, 

On Monday, Nov. 11, we launched two new full-tuition coverage offers for qualifying Iowa students—the Bulldog Promise and the Bright College Pathway. These programs advance our commitment to expanding access to a Drake education at a time when we’ve seen year-over-year increases in the percentage of entering first-year students from Iowa and a historic number of Pell-eligible students. 

  • The Bulldog Promise will offer full tuition coverage to qualifying first-time college students. Students must be Pell-eligible, an Iowa resident, and have a 3.8 high school GPA at time of admission in order to qualify.  
  • The Bright College Pathway offers full-tuition coverage at Bright College for Pell-eligible Iowa residents. This offer does not require a minimum GPA. 

As part of Monday’s launch, we created materials for the admission team, a new landing page, a press release, social media advertising, a message to all Iowa alumni (those who graduated 5 or more years ago), and targeted email outreach to Iowa prospects and high school guidance counselors. We will continue to build upon this with local advertising. This launch coincides with a broader effort to enhance the way we talk about the cost and value of a Drake education to ensure we’re meeting prospective families’ top-level questions as they evaluate their college choices. This coinciding effort includes an overhaul of website content, including a new tuition and costs page, updated Tuition Guarantee page, and an updated Bright tuition and costs page 

We sincerely appreciate any work you or your team members do to help ensure prospective families in Iowa know these options are available as we work to recruit the next class of Bulldogs.  

The Financial Aid, Admission, and University Communications & Marketing teams can help answer any questions you may have. 

John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing

In Memoriam: Retired Assistant Dean Charles Greenwood

With heavy hearts, we share that beloved figure and retired Assistant Dean Charles Greenwood passed away on November 2.

From his start as an associate professor in 1974 to his role as assistant dean of the graduate school of education, he left an indelible mark on our institution. His 20-year dedication to the Drake Relays, honored on the Relays’ Wall of Honor, exemplifies his commitment to the Drake community.

Professor Greenwood’s legacy and commitment to alternative education will continue to inspire future generations at Drake.

Read Chuck’s full obituary.

Annie Matte, School of Education

University Budget Town Hall, December 3rd at 3 pm, Parents Hall; Provost’s Social to Follow

 As President Martin shared in a recent message to campus, the University will hold a budget town hall on Tuesday, December 3rd at 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to learn more about the fiscal year 2024 results, overall financial health, fiscal year 2025 budget, and a look ahead to future fiscal years. 

If you have questions you would like addressed at the town hall, please send them to president@drake.edu.

Provost’s Social immediately following the town hall 

The Provost’s Social will be held following the town hall in Olmsted 312, across from Parents Hall.  Refreshments at the social will include an assortment of beverages and light snacks. 

— Adam Voigts, Chief Financial Officer & Sue Mattison, Provost 

2024 United Way of Central Iowa Giving Campaign For Faculty & Staff

The season of giving is upon us and it is time for our annual United Way of Central Iowa giving campaign! Your optional contribution can be financial or needed supplies for area Des Moines Public School food pantries, or both. We have reinstated some fun, giving-level incentives as well.

The campaign will kick-off on Monday, November 18 with an email from Mary Sellers from United Way of Central Iowa. Some highlights to share:

  • The campaign is part of our commitment as an anchor institution and to the Des Moines community
  • One hundred percent of the funds donated remain in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties)
  • 10,544 people were served last year in the 50311 zip code
  • United Way financially supports 15 organizations that are partners with Drake including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa

For any financial contributions to the campaign, we have reinstated giving level incentives to celebrate our participation. From free parking passes, many Starbucks gift-cards, basketball game tickets, and more! See this page for the details and thank you to our many campus partners who made these incentives possible.

New this year: a supply drive in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) will be Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Olmsted Breezeway.  DMPS has requested:

  • Plastic grocery bags (yes, the hundreds of these you have at home)
  • Peanut butter
  • Canned fruit & vegetables
  • Cereal: bagged or boxed
  • Rice: bagged or boxed
  • Beans: canned
  • Paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers

Overall, our 2024 United Way of Central Iowa campaign goal is to exceed 33% participation from our full-time faculty and staff.

If you have any questions or do not receive the email from Mary Sellers on November 18th and wish to participate, please reach out to Nate Reagen.

Thank you for your support and generosity in advance!

Nate Reagen, President’s Office

All-Staff Halloween Costume Contest Winners

Congratulations to the All Staff Council Halloween Costume contest winners! In the Adult category, we have Nicole Stabile as Captain Hook in a Peter Pan themed group costume with her family.

In the Children/Pet’s category, we have Lauren McCarthy’s two daughters, a cute Little Red Riding Hood and a Sassy Dragon!

Congratulations again to our winners! Please stop by the Student Services Desk in Olmsted to receive your prize.

Thanks to all who attended and participated in the bake-off contest as well; we have a talented group of bakers on campus that really put our judges to the test this year! Third place was awarded to Bridget Nixon for a yummy peanut roll, second place was awarded to Dillon Beckmann for a tasty rice crispy cookie butter treat, and first place was awarded to Betsy White for a scrumptious caramel apple cheesecake. Congrats to all who participated and we look forward to seeing everyone in December for the next Bulldog Connect lunch on Wednesday, December 4th.

Tiffany Hach, Finance & Administration