All posts by Camryn Caruso

Campus Announcements Archive

Blood Drive for Drake Theatre’s Production of DRACULA

Donate blood & get a free ticket to Drake Theatre’s Production of Dracula 

We ‘vant your BLOOD! To celebrate our upcoming production of Dracula, Drake University’s Theatre Department will be hosting a mobile blood drive in partnership with the LifeServe Blood Center on Friday, November 15th from 11-3 p.m. in parking lot 1A behind the Harmon Fine Arts Center. If you choose to donate blood, you will receive a voucher that is redeemable for ONE FREE TICKET to Drake Theatre’s Production of Dracula that runs from November 21-24 in the Performing Arts Hall. You can pre-register online using this link or just show up!

Can’t make it to the drive? That’s okay! We hope to see you at one of our performances of Dracula running from Nov. 21-24 at the Performing Arts Hall located in the Harmon Fine Arts Center.

—Camryn Caruso

For Faculty Archive

Grant Proposal Opportunity for Educational Research

The Spencer Foundation offers a Large Research Grants on Education Program which will fund research projects that contribute to the improvement of education. The allowable budget is $125,000 – $500,000 total for projects ranging from one to five years. Letters of Intent to Apply are due on January 14, with a full proposal deadline of February 11, if invited to submit.  Check out the website for more information or contact the SPARC office (lori.byrd@drake.edu or preston.miller@drake.edu) with questions and/or to let us know of your interest.

—Lori Byrd, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Law Hosts 47th Annual General Practice Review

Drake University Law School is hosting its annual General Practice Review virtually on Nov. 22, Dec. 6, and Dec. 13. On demand options for each session are also available. This event serves to provide updates on current case law and a variety of other topics. All practicing or retired attorneys are invited to attend.

Topics that will be covered during the event include criminal law, real estate, family law, ethics, artificial intelligence, employment law, insurance law, and more.

Highlights include:

Drake Law’s Sease Research Scholar and professor of intellectual property, Sayoko Blodgett-Ford, will lead a session on various intellectual property laws—covering copyright, patent, and trade secrets—focusing on their implications in artificial intelligence. She will also provide an in-depth analysis of the “fair use” defense in recent high-profile copyright cases, such as the New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI.

Additionally, Caleb Brus, LW’14, sponsored by the Recent Alumni Engagement Board, will cover the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Brus will discuss ERISA’s origins, its fiduciary duties, common issues, recent trends, and notable litigation. “These topics are essential for attorney practitioners, as ERISA is nuanced and high-stakes legislation that demands an understanding of complex regulatory standards,” Brus stated. “Attorneys need to be able to spot potential ERISA issues and recognize when to consult an expert.”

Tickets for the ethics only day on Nov. 22 are $120, and $200 for each December date. The cost for all three sessions is $440. This pricing is consistent for all ticket options. Participants can attend all three sessions to earn a total of 15 CLE credit hours, including 3 ethics hours, or attend any combination of sessions to earn 3-12 credits. Participants who register for live stream sessions will also receive the on-demand sessions automatically at no extra charge.

To register or find more information, click here. For questions, contact Amy Cutler at amy.cutler@drake.edu or 515-271-3361.

—Taylor Johnson, Law School

HR Information Archive

Mark Your Calendars for the TIAA Roth Presentation on Nov. 22nd

Drake added a Roth contribution option to its Voluntary Retirement Plan effective June 1, 2024.  This option allows eligible employees to make after-tax contributions that offer the potential for tax-free income in retirement.

To learn more about the Voluntary Roth contribution option, please plan to attend this presentation provided by TIAA Financial Consultant, Ricardo Diaz.

Date: Nov. 22

Time: 10-11 am

Location: CR 312, Olmsted Center

Ricardo Diaz will conduct in-person counseling sessions Nov. 22nd and Dec. 13th. Reserve an appointment or call 800-732-8353. To schedule a virtual counseling session, you may call 319-356-8042 or email ricardo.diaz@tiaa.org.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Thanksgiving Meal in Hubbell 11/21

Kick off your Thanksgiving holiday with friends and a feast full of fun! Celebrate at Hubbell Dining Hall on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. We’re serving all your holiday favorites, including roasted turkey, hickory smoked ham, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and more. We will also have a Simple Servings station set up for allergen free dining.

All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. Price is $8.18 plus tax (or $8.75 total.) Students can use a meal swipe.

—Samantha Matt

For Staff Archive

Celebrating True Blue Staff

Please join the ASC Recognition Committee in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award.  Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Meredith Scherb – Cataloging & Access Services Librarian – Cowles Library Access Services

Nominated by Teri Koch

“Meredith provides excellent services for users of Cowles Library. She’s responsible for the acquisition & cataloging of books purchased by the library. She also helps Drake faculty put materials “On Reserve” for use by students. One faculty member from ZCB, Carl Vieregger, was so pleased with Meredith’s extraordinary service he wrote to me. First he thanked Meredith, and he wrote: “Hi Teri, Just wanted to share with you to let you know that I interacted first with the Drake Library Chat today to learn about how to place items on reserve and they were so helpful. And now the items are placed on reserve for y class within the same day—that’s pretty cool. Thank you very much. Please extend my thanks to your staff, it makes a big difference for me in my class to make the right materials available at the right time.” This level of service is par for the course for Meredith who always strives to provide library users with what they need in a timely fashion, and she does so with a positive service-oriented attitude.”

Amy Cutler – CLE & Legal Clinic Coordinator – Legal Clinic Law School

Nominated by Sophie Delahaye

“Amy has a vast institutional knowledge, and is an excellent trainer of new employees. She can explain and render tasks manageable. Also, she is aware of the potential scope creep and is mindful and protective of her supervisee’s essential job duties.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

—Amber Welsh, School of Education. On Behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

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

HR Information Archive

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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

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