All posts by Heath Henderson

For Students Archive

Call for papers for the Spring 2020 edition of DUSSJ

The web-based Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) is accepting submissions for its Spring 2020 edition. Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology). Submissions may be short analytic essays or longer research papers. Papers that feature thoughtful, original analysis, polished writing, and careful citation are especially welcome!

The deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 14.

No more than one submission per person will be considered. Submissions will be blind peer-reviewed by a student editorial board. When submitting a paper, please indicate if it is a research paper or short analytic essay. Also, please indicate the primary discipline and any secondary discipline(s).

Questions and submissions should be sent to the
 DUSSJ faculty advisor, Professor Heath Henderson, at advisor.dussj@gmail.com.

Find previous editions of the journal at www.drake.edu/dussj.

— Heath Henderson, Assistant Professor of Economics

Campus Announcements Archive, HR Information Archive

DU Well Healthy Holidays Challenge

DU Well Healthy Holidays Challenge is a five-week program that runs from Dec. 2 through Jan. 5. It consists of a series of one-day challenges that you can do at home or at Drake. From taking a walk break, to phoning a friend, or checking the batteries on your smoke detector, there is something for everyone.  Simply check off the challenges as you complete them on the tracking form you will be provided.  If you complete a daily challenge on 30 of the 35 days, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

As an added bonus, the tracking form will include a place to record your weekly weight.  This is optional, but if you maintain (or lose) weight over the holidays, it will count as completing three (3) daily challenges.

To register for DU Well Healthy Holidays and receive your tracking form, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Potential changes to the wellness premium incentive program

Human Resources and the University Benefits Committee regularly review best practices to ensure wellness programming is effective and impactful. Over the past few years, Drake has been following a trend away from employer-sponsored on-site biometric screenings in favor of annual physical exams with a primary care provider.  This trend was prompted by research suggesting that annual biometric screenings, without corresponding physician consultation, do not effectively impact wellness outcomes.

While biometric screenings identify some indicators of health risks, there is no follow-up to identify whether an employee with a potential health risk went to a physician for treatment.  Biometric screenings are also limited in scope while annual physicals cover a wider array of physical and mental health conditions.

With an annual physical, employees are more likely to develop a doctor-patient relationship.  The physician can review health history and medications.  Employees will receive age and gender specific physical exams, and recommended preventative screenings will be scheduled.  And when a health concern is found, the doctor will treat it and schedule follow-up appointments if necessary.

For these reasons, the University Benefits Committee and Human Resources are considering wellness program changes for 2021.  For those wishing to participate in the wellness program and receive the reduced premium for the 2021 plan year, an annual well-check with a primary care doctor would need to be completed between January 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.  While the on-campus UnityPoint screening and Hy-Vee screening option would no longer be available, on-campus voluntary screenings by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences would continue to be available for those who value periodic assessments of biometric information.

One key consideration in assessing this change, is making sure there are ample resources for those who wish to participate but do not currently have a primary care physician.  Human Resources will develop additional resources for this purpose.  The University Benefits Committee and Human Resources welcome input regarding this change.  You may send comments or questions to hr@drake.edu between now and December 11th.  Watch for additional communications about these changes in January, 2020.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

News & Achievements Archive

Next Top Entrepreneur winners

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the DELTA Rx Institute hosted the annual Next Top Entrepreneur Competition. We would like to thank all the participants for their pitches and congratulate the finalists:

  • First Place: $1200 to Johnny Mills and Andrew Bjorlin (PharmD/MBA Candidates 2021) – RecycleRx
  • Second Place: $800 to Breanna Moore (PharmD Candidate 2022) – AutoRx Prescription Pickup
  • Third Place: $400 to Sedie Harms, Layne Davis, and Tessa Buehrer (PharmD Candidates 2021) – Pharmers Traveling to the Farm

We would like to thank our judges, Greg Johansen, Dalton Fabian, Sarah Dean, Tom Swegle, Jason Salton, Anthony Pudlo, Robert Loch, Felix Gallagher, and Debra Bishop.

— Kaylyn Maher, CPHS Communications Coordinator

News & Achievements Archive

Emma Robasse receives Express Scripts Scholarship

Emma Robasse, PharmD/MBA Candidate 2020 in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is one of four dual-enrolled students nationwide to receive a 2019 Express Scripts Scholarship. The Express Scripts Foundation (ESF), in partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, awards four $10,000 scholarships to dual-degree students each year.

The ESF recognizes that students interested in dual degrees may have increased financial need and provides these scholarships to offset tuition, fees, or books.

Learn more about this scholarship and how CPHS supports the diverse interests of students.

— Kaylyn Maher, CPHS Communications Coordinator

News & Achievements Archive

CPHS student wins 2019 Next-Generation Future Pharmacist Award

Drake Reiter, a fourth-year student pharmacist in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, was announced as the winner of the 2019 Future Pharmacist Award during the Next-Generation Pharmacists Award Gala held on Oct. 25 in San Diego. Sponsored by Parata and Pharmacy Times, the national Next Generation Pharmacist™ awards program honors pharmacists, technicians, students and industry advocates in 11 categories who are defining the future of pharmacy.

The college has a stellar record for the Next-Generation Future Pharmacist Award with more finalists being selected for 7 years of the 10-year history of the award than any other pharmacy program:

  • 2010 – Kathryn McDonald Starbuck
  • 2012 – Huy Nguyen
  • 2013 – Natalie Schmitz
  • 2014 – Laura Vollmer (winner)
  • 2015 – Natalie Roy
  • 2018 – Matt Glasow (winner)
  • 2019 – Drake Reiter (winner)

Learn more about this honor and Drake Reiter’s accomplishments.

— Kaylyn Maher, CPHS Communications Coordinator

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Colleagues recognized for Generosity of Spirit

Over 60 individuals were recognized for their Generosity of Spirit at the Provost’s Drake Social on Wednesday, Nov. 21, in the Reading Room at Cowles Library.

Three individuals were drawn at random for prizes:

  • Matthew Mitchell: An apple pie baked by the Provost
  • Melissa Sturm-Smith: A St. Kilda gift card
  • Drinda Williams: Breakfast for the office

Be watching for nominations to open in January to celebrate those who exemplify the Drake Core Value of All in This Together.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Nominate a student for the Newman Civic Fellowship

The Office of Community Engaged Learning is now accepting nominations for the Newman Civic Fellowship.

 The Newman Civic Fellowship is a national award that recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers. Students should engage in collaborative action with others from campus or from surrounding communities in order to create long-term social change, take action in addressing issues of inequality and political polarization, and demonstrate the motivation and potential for effective long-term civic engagement.  Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change.

Nominees must be enrolled at Drake University for the spring semester 2020, and the 2020–2021 academic year.

 To nominate a student, please submit 1–3 paragraphs including information about the nominee’s approaches to addressing the root causes of social issues. This may include involvement in public policy reform, community organizing, community-based research, social entrepreneurism, or other efforts to build the capacity of community-based organizations. Additionally, please include why you believe this person has the motivation and potential to develop innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public problems and to contribute to a network of similarly committed students.

 A committee will review nominations to select one student from Drake University to be nominated for the Fellowship. That student will need to complete additional paperwork. 

 Please submit nominations to Amanda Martin, Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu, no later than Jan. 10.  More information about the Fellowship can be found at https://compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship/.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

HR Information Archive

Final benefits meeting Thursday

“Know Your Benefits” meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted, Room 310.

Drake University strives to provide quality benefits responsive to the needs of employees and their families. This fall, the University Benefits Committee worked closely with Benefit Consultant, Mark J. Becker & Associates, to monitor Drake’s overall benefit plan performance. This collaborative approach to the benefit review process has allowed Drake to consistently maintain benefits that are better than average, current with market trends and competitive with peer groups.

Mark J. Becker & Associates will be present Thursday, Nov. 21, to highlight the value of Drake’s benefit package and provide an overview of shared benefits costs.  Please take this opportunity to learn more about your Drake benefits Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted, Room 310. Registration is not required.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Planned power shutdown for Aliber, Cartwright, and Jewett

On Friday, Nov. 29, electricity will be shut off to Aliber, Cartwright, and Jewett from approximately 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. so Facilities Planning and Management can safely clean three high voltage vaults on campus. Please remember to turn off your computers and electronic devices before leaving for Thanksgiving. Please contact Ron Tart, chief electrician, if you have any question or concerns.

— Ron Tart, Facilities Planning and Management