All posts by Daniel Connolly

News & Achievements Archive

Drake welcomes new Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Human-Centered Design

The College of Business and Public Administration is pleased to welcome Bill Adamowski to Drake on Feb. 24 as the new Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Human-Centered Design. In this role, Bill will lead our Pappajohn and Buchanan Entrepreneurship Centers and help to take entrepreneurship at Drake to the next level.

With the advancement of the Big Ideas initiatives, Bill is joining us an opportune time. A graduate of Syracuse University, Bill brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial, corporate, and higher education experience to this role. Most recently, he served as the President of Iowa State University’s Startup Factory, where he led the implementation of the center from the ground up to being one of the top entrepreneurial centers in the country.

He is also an accomplished entrepreneur. He founded several companies, including MortgageHub and ISGN, and worked in various senior-level capacities for several other successful start-ups. Earlier in his career, Bill worked as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, working on innovation strategies for companies such as General Motors, UPS, GE, and Nissan Corporation. He also served as a technology executive for Fortune 500 companies, including serving as the Chief Information Officer at GMAC Financial Services, where he led the technology organization to become a recognized leader in the industry. Following that he served as the Chief Technology Officer of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, where he helped guide it through one of the largest growth periods in the company’s history.

Please join me and the College of Business and Public Administration in welcoming Bill to Drake!

— Daniel Connolly, Dean, College of Business and Public Administration

HR Information Archive

Drake University Home Incentive Purchase Plan

The Drake University Home Incentive Purchase Plan provides financial support to full-time Drake employees who purchase an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling in the Drake neighborhood. Drake University will provide up to $3,500 for reimbursement of loan origination fees and/or closing costs for purchases made adjacent to campus. View additional information about the program, including applicable boundaries.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

News & Achievements Archive

An illuminating read: Drake faculty publish ‘Initiating the Millennium’

This week saw the publication of Initiating the Millennium: The Avignon Society and Illuminism in Europe by Robert Collis and Natalie Bayer of the Department of History. The book is published by Oxford University Press and is the first in-depth, English-language study of the foremost initiatic and millenarian society in Europe in the late eighteenth- and early nineteenth century. The publication of the book coincides with the beginning of Dr. Collis’ interdisciplinary history course on Magic and Western Esotericism in Europe from the Renaissance.

— Robert Collis, Visiting Assistant Professor, History

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Book Club

Did you know that Drake has a book club?  This group is organized by Cowles Library and the All Staff Council—any member of the Drake community is welcome to participate. This spring, we will be reading “There There” by Tommy Orange. Books are available for checkout at Cowles Library on a first come, first serve basis.  

If you choose to read the book, we have a book discussion planned for Thursday, March 26, at 4:45 p.m. We will meet at Fong’s on Forest Avenue and would love to see you there!  

Feel free to contact Dan Chibnall or Sara Heijerman if you have any questions about the book club, or if you would like to be added to the mailing list. There is also a Facebook page with event/discussion information (search for Drake University Book Club).

— Amelia Klatt, on behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Bulldog Connect Lunch Feb. 5

The Special Interests Committee of All Staff Council is holding a Bulldogs Connect Networking Lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Come join us for $5 staff lunch at Hubbell Dining Hall.

Members of the Special Interest committee will be at each lunch and will bring networking topic suggestions. Anyone is welcome to come—bring a new Bulldog along with you! Look for the table with the Drake swag and a special Bulldogs Connect table tent in Hubbell! 

— Amelia Klatt, on behalf of All Staff Council

For Students Archive

Become an Orientation Leader

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.

We highly encourage you to attend an information session on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m. in Meredith 104.

You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position.

Learn more about the position. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student and Parent Programs

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Tuesday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Distinguished Community Service Award
Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

  • A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service.
  • An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation.
  • Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others.”
  • The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Employee Excellence Award
The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

  • Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
  • Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
  • Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
  • Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University
  • The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu. The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary.

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2020 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 7 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Professional Portrait Day

University Communications and Marketing (UCM) will hold a professional portrait session Friday, Feb. 7, from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at the UCM basement studio (1229 25th Street).

Professional headshots are free and encouraged for all Drake faculty, staff, and students. Grab your blazer and come on over! A link to download your photos will be emailed to your Drake account within two weeks.

— Annie Spadt, University Communications & Marketing

For Students Archive

Free ESL classes for students

Students, if you are interested in improving your English, Drake International is offering a comprehensive Intensive English Program that offers intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you want additional help in a certain English skill area—advanced academic writing, grammar, or speaking—or if you simply want to improve your pronunciation, you may want to consider taking one of our classes. The best news is that all full-time Drake students, including exchange students, can take IEP classes free of charge!

View the schedule of classes for Spring 2020. The classes currently offered are:

• Reading I and Reading II
• Writing I and Writing II
• Listening & Speaking I and Speaking & Listening II
• Grammar I and Grammar II
• Pronunciation and Spelling
• TOEFL Preparation
• American Culture (This class offers regular field trips to various Des Moines locations to help new students learn more about the local culture, American values and history. This semester we are planning to visit the Des Moines Art Center, the Grand Blue Mile, the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge and even go on a downtown bike tour!)

Please, note that these classes are not credit-bearing.

Our classes begin Monday, Jan. 27, and end Friday, May 8. The last day to register for classes is Friday, Jan. 31. If you are interested in joining one of the classes, or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Dina Khayrushina at dina.khayrushina@drake.edu. Our office is located in the International Center on 25th Street.

We look forward to hearing from you!

— Dina Khayrushina, Drake International