All posts by Drinda Williams

Honor Your Colleagues for Generosity of Spirit

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Generosity of Spirit will be recognized at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4–5:30 p.m. in Cowles Library Reading Room.

To nominate a colleague, please use this Qualtrics form . You can nominate up to five colleagues on each form. Feel free to fill out multiple forms. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display.

How do we define Generosity of Spirit? We look for colleagues who trust, empower, and presume the best of each other; who practice civility, caring, and respect; who are committed to equity and inclusion. When you nominate colleagues, think about referencing some of these descriptions. From amongst those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes.

The November Drake Social will be preceded by a Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. regarding International Education Week. Several of our international partners will be in attendance.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, and light snacks. This is a family-friendly event.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Photo contest: Share your best international image and vote for your favorite

Drake International is accepting submissions for the International Education Week 2019 photo contest. The contest is open to all Drake students, staff, and faculty who have had a Drake-related international education or work experience (e.g., international students, study abroad students, faculty leading travel seminars, etc.).

Photos can be submitted via email to studyabroad@drake.edu in four different categories:

Capture the Culture: Share the images that you think best represent the local culture and/or highlight your cultural experience while studying abroad or in the U.S.

Global Learning: Share the academic highlights of your international experience.

The Great Outdoors: These pictures can include outdoor scenes, nature images, landscapes, and cityscapes that you have witnessed during your domestic and international travels.

Most Epic Selfie: Show us your most epic selfie!

*You can earn an extra five votes per photo for showing off your Drake gear in any of these photos.

Contest Timeline:

Oct. 16–Nov. 13: Submit your photos to studyabroad@drake.edu and vote for your favorites on the Drake International and Study Abroad Facebook page:

Nov. 19—Nov. 21: Twenty finalists (five per each category) are selected and displayed for in-person voting during the International Education Week 2019 events on campus (events to be announced)

Nov. 22: Winners are announced

To see full contest guidelines and vote for your favorites go to our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing your photos! For questions, email studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Dina Khayrushina, Center for International Programs and Services

Athletic tickets loaded to Drake Cards for free

Drake undergraduate, graduate, and law students are admitted to all home Drake Athletics events for free. Tickets will automatically be added to students’ Drake cards.

Students will receive a confirmation email from the Athletics ticketing partner, AXS.com, with notification that tickets have been loaded to their Drake Card. Once they receive the confirmation, they can head to the game and cheer on the Bulldogs. If a student does not receive an email from AXS.com, visit or contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.

Additional information for attending basketball games:D

2019-20 Men’s Basketball Schedule
2019-20 Women’s Basketball Schedule

  • Enter using valid Drake Card or AXS app (using valid drake.edu email address as log-in)
  • Student entrance located at SW corner of Knapp Center
  • Sit in sections J-K (Student Section)

Additional student ticket information is available here.

— Ryan Harris, Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Sales

Take a safari: Apply for the Uganda travel seminar

The Summer 2020 Uganda: Sustainable Development travel seminar gives students an in-depth look into one developing nation in East Africa and allows students to design a research project or service learning project to meet their interests. Applications are due Dec. 15.

Learn more at an information session:
— Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Room 004
— Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 229

General pre-law and pre-med info sessions

If you would like to receive general information on law school and medical school admission and the undergraduate curriculum you should pursue to prepare, please look to attend one of the following events:
Thursday, Oct 24, 4–5 p.m., Pre-Law Overview
Thursday, Oct 24, 5–6 p.m., Pre-Med Overview
Both overviews will take place in Cartwright Hall, Room 213.
If you’re interested in learning more about Drake’s 3+3 Law Program whereby those attending Drake’s Law School can work to earn both an undergraduate degree and law degree in six years, consider attending the 3+3 program on Tuesday, Oct 29, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Collier-Scripps, Room 308.  Hear from Kara Blanchard of Drake’s Law School Admissions Office and Mary Beth Holtey, from the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office.
—Mary Beth Holtey, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs

University Bookstore has improved website, more items

If you have not already noticed, the online site for the University Bookstore has been greatly improved.  The site is much easier to navigate on a mobile device or desktop, still has all your textbooks, and has a much larger catalog of Drake apparel! All orders have the option of free, in-store pick-up when you order online. The store also has a great collection of clearance items as well. Check it out!

— Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services

New URL for online orders of Drake gear

  • For online employee discount pricing, custom departmental items, and bulk orders for Drake gear, the Advanced Online site can now be found at drake.merchorders.com(formerly shop.drake.edu) 
  • As a reminder, employees enjoy 20% off Drake branded items. This discount also applies to applicable purchases at the University Bookstore in Olmsted.
  • For reference, the online University Bookstore site (yes, a second site!) has been greatly improved and can be found in a variety of ways, including shop.drake.edu.

— Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services

Last Day to save 50% on Drake Road Race registration

Flash sale ends at midnight on Oct. 22! Save over 50% on race registration.

Mark your calendars for the 52nd annual Drake Road Races on Sunday, April 19, and take advantage of a two-day flash sale when registration opens on Oct. 21 and 22. Save over 50% on race week pricing when you sign up for the 5k, 10k, or half marathon during this incredible flash sale. Find more info and sign up at www.DrakeRoadRaces.org.

Your Drake Road Races registration includes a commemorative long sleeve tech shirt and a special 52nd Anniversary medal which is awarded to each finisher on the historic Blue Oval inside Drake Stadium. Also included with your race registration is free entry to the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Distance Carnival on Thursday, April 23.

— Dan Hostager, Assistant Director, Drake Relays, Special Projects

How to declutter your life

We’ve all got clutter.  It is one of those things that we think about and put on a list to tackle, but we just never seem to find time.  Besides the obvious benefit of decluttering, did you know that getting your stuff organized can actually improve your physical and mental health?

Join Cindy Torvik from Straighten Your Paths, on Oct. 24 from 2–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311, as we “dig” into this topic. Not only will you get valuable decluttering tips, but one lucky person will win a prize!

Register on Eventbrite.

— Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist, HR

Must-know registration dates and deadlines

Students, please be aware of these important upcoming dates.

Monday, Oct. 28 — Last day to drop a fall class

Monday, Oct. 28 — Last day to request a change to your program (major, minor, or concentration) to be ensured approval before registration begins

Monday, Nov. 4 — Registration for spring 2020 begins. Students become eligible to register based on their earned credits through the summer 2019 semester.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar