Sign up to attend a wellness workshop on Monday, Sept. 15, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Discover how to align your daily routines with the rhythms of the season. In this workshop-style class, you’ll learn simple wellness practices rooted in mindfulness, movement, and nutrition that support balance and focus during the fall semester. Perfect for students looking to manage stress, boost energy, and feel more grounded as the weather shifts. Sign up on the Drake Rec app.
Welcome, first-generation Bulldogs!
Drake defines a first-generation student as a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, about 20% of our incoming students are first-generation students.
The Office of New Student Programs and First-Generation Student Organization would like to invite you to attend the First-Generation Student Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 4–6 p.m. in Pomerantz Stage, Olmsted Center. Let’s get together to welcome our new first-gen Bulldogs and kick off the start of the academic year together. This is an opportunity to celebrate Drake’s first–generation students, faculty, and staff and to continue building relationships and support within the community. Feel free to drop in anytime between 4–6 p.m. for some ice cream and to mingle with other first-generation Bulldogs.
— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs
ITS is committed to keeping our campus computers safe and running smoothly. As part of this ongoing effort, we’ll be rolling out important security updates to Drake-owned Windows computers over the coming weeks.
Most faculty and staff won’t notice anything different, since these updates will install automatically through the normal Windows Update process, usually in the background. Occasionally, your computer may restart and display a white screen with a message asking you not to turn it off. Don’t worry—this is perfectly normal and means the update is working as intended.
If you do happen to encounter this screen, simply let your computer finish the update. No action is required beyond waiting for the process to finish. This helps ensure your device stays secure and reliable.
ITS aims to be proactive and transparent so that, if you experience something unexpected, you know what’s happening and can rest assured your computer is being kept safe. Thank you for helping us keep our campus technology secure.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the Support Center by submitting a ticket online through our service portal, visiting Carnegie with your device, or calling 515-271-3001.
— Becky Klein, ITS
As we kick off the new academic year, we want to share a few ITS updates, reminders, and helpful resources to support teaching, learning, and day-to-day work.
Microsoft Learning Pathways Now Available
Faculty and staff now have access to a customized collection of Microsoft Learning Pathways, designed to strengthen skills with essential tools like Teams, Excel, and OneDrive. These guided modules offer a flexible way to explore new features or refresh existing knowledge.
Microsoft regularly updates the content to reflect the latest features and best practices, ensuring users stay current. ITS will continue to add resources for additional software and tools to better support the evolving needs of the campus community. You can access the Learning Pathways Internal Site through the Learning Resources section of myDrake. We encourage departments to explore these helpful tools—and let us know if there are additional topics you’d like to see included.
Classroom Wireless Display Connections
Over the summer, ITS introduced Sharelink Pro Miracast for Windows devices, offering a simpler and reliable way to connect to classroom wireless displays. Classrooms in Meredith and most of Aliber have been upgraded, with more locations scheduled throughout the year. For more information and troubleshooting support, refer to the Using WirelessDisplay knowledge base article or contact the Support Center.
Network Upgrade Begins This Fall
This fall, ITS begins a multi-year upgrade to modernize the campus network, starting with new wireless access points. This work is essential to support growing connectivity needs and maintain a secure campus network.
We understand that stable, uninterrupted internet access is critical to teaching, learning, and daily operations. Although service disruptions are not anticipated, the scale of the network upgrade means work will continue throughout the academic year. ITS will schedule installations to avoid busy instructional times and will coordinate with building managers to minimize any potential impact. Project and schedule updates will be shared in OnCampus to keep campus informed.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Drake continues our commitment to cybersecurity by participating in this national initiative promoting safer online practices. ITS will promote awareness activities throughout October, and in alignment with this effort, annual security awareness training will launch next month—moving from its usual spring schedule to the fall.
Workday Transition Underway
We are excited to begin a three-year transition from Banner to Workday—our new enterprise platform for finance, human resources, and student information systems. The Drake project team, made up of dedicated staff from business offices and ITS, is working hard to prepare for the launch of finance and human resources next fall.
To help the campus community stay informed and ready, we’ve created a dedicated site that serves as a central hub for updates, timelines, and training opportunities. Visit the Workday Implementation site to explore the schedule and learn more about the project.
Staying in Touch with ITS
Effective communication is central to our service. Here are several ways to stay connected and informed:
Wishing you a productive and successful academic year!
— Becky Klein, ITS
Throughout September you can view proposed new DART bus routes and services for the Des Moines metro and give feedback.
The proposed changes are part of Reimagine DART, which aims to transform public transit in Greater Des Moines to meet Central Iowa’s evolving travel needs within a level of funding the region can afford through June 2027.
Here’s how to give feedback:
Visit reimagineDARTdsm.com to see what’s changing. After looking at a map and reading about the new network, you can fill out a brief survey and share what you like and what you think DART should reconsider.
You’re also invited to attend a public meeting in to learn more and ask questions.
Your Drake ID provides free and unlimited use of the DART bus system, so your input is valued.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
If you’ve been considering proposing a travel seminar, but aren’t sure how or what support you’d have, this session is a great place to start.
This open session will be hosted by Chelsea Funk, assistant director of education abroad; Catherine Spaeth, an International Education Consultant; and Mary Weber, a group travel specialist from Sovereign Tourism Ltd.
We look forward to chatting about your program ideas and answering your questions!
Note: Proposals for Travel Seminars for J-Term 2027 are not yet open; additional information will be shared in OnCampus and directly to interested faculty when the call goes out. To get on the distribution list for details, email chelsea.funk@drake.edu with your interest (or attend this session!).
— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement
Tune in Sept. 11 at 12 p.m. for an insider Everclass with Brian Hardin, Des Moines native and Director of Athletics at Drake University. Since 2017, Hardin has led Drake through its “golden era,” marked by record academic, competitive, and fundraising achievements. In this session, Hardin shares candid insights on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on student-athletes, the evolving responsibilities of a Division I athletic director, and the realities behind NCAA tournament selection and seeding. Learn how he has shaped Drake into Des Moines’ Hometown Team and a national model for success. Don’t miss this conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of college sports. Register for free: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/A-xtBoHaTve4EPZjhCbCuQ#/registration
— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations
As President Martin shared in his message to campus today, your feedback is needed on the draft ‘Identity Statements’ for Drake University. You can find the latest draft of those statements here. The objective is to declare what is most distinctive and powerful about Drake and its people. You can get involved by participating in one or more of the upcoming community forums:
Olmsted Center Parents Hall (in person only)
Virtual Sessions
An online feedback form will be made available after the forums have been held. Please make every effort to participate in at least one of the forums. Consistent with the draft Identity Statement of “We Empower Human Connection,” take full advantage of the opportunity to be in community as together we declare what is best about Drake University.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
Golf: For Business & Life Program is a non-Credit course that provides you with group golf lessons. The lessons are taught at Willow Creek by a professional. The program teaches you how to perform basic golf skills and terminology. The class is designed for all skill levels and beginners are encouraged to participate. The deadline for register is September 2. Lessons will begin the week of September 8 and the cost for the program will be $80-$100. You can apply at www.drake.edu/recservices/golfforbusinessandlife.
If you have any questions or need more information, you can reach out to Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu.
— Lisa Murphy, Rec Services
The Student Services Center has moved to the Johansen Student Center and can be found on the first level, on the south side of the building (the old Morehouse front desk).
The SSC is the location where you can pick up your parking pass, pickup and return keys, take an ID photo, pick up student payroll checks, and complete Student HR Paperwork for on campus employment.
Hours for the fall semester are:
Mondays–Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additionally, the campus print shop will remain closed until mid-September to allow us to move our equipment to our new space. We will post in OnCampus once we have resumed print operations, and are currently planning to be up and running again by Sept. 15.
Thanks for your patience as we kick off the year!
— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center