All posts by Joanna Stankiewicz

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library November Featured Collection Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

At Cowles Library, we are committed to curating a diverse range of materials, both digital and physical, for the entire campus community to explore. Each month, our librarians highlight collections that connect with current topics and reflect the wide range of academic and personal interests across campus.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Cowles Library is featuring a collection celebrating the voices and stories of Indigenous authors. This selection includes both fiction and nonfiction works that span traditional tales, contemporary narratives, and historical accounts.

Visit Cowles Library or explore our Featured Collections page online to discover these and other highlighted materials.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements

Drake Theatre Arts Presents Julius Caesar Nov. 20–23, Tickets On Sale Now

The Drake Department of Theatre Arts is proud to present the final mainstage show of the fall semester, Julius Caesar. Adapted and directed by Professor Michael Rothmayer, this show follows Caesar, his ultimate assassination, and the events that ensue. The show runs Nov. 20–23 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Hall of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online or in person at the FAC box office.

The Ides of March are upon us!

— Ella Appelbaum, College of Arts & Sciences

HR Information Archive

Time is Running Out to Receive Your Wellness Premium Discount

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 the discount.

Employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, need to complete a physical exam with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024 and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form  by Dec. 1, 2025.

If you cannot get an appointment with your doctor by the Dec. 1, 2025 deadline, or you do not have a primary care provider, you may contact the Broadlawns Community Clinic by Drake (2970 University Ave.) at 515-216-5100 to make an appointment.  Let them know you are from Drake and need to make an appointment for a wellness exam.  Most individuals can get in within two or three days, but please do not wait until the last week to contact them or they may not have available openings.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Stop By the Benefits and Wellness Fair Tomorrow

Visit this year’s Benefits and Wellness Fair Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 9–11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall, Old Main.

Representatives from many of our benefits partners will be present to answer your questions.  In addition, we will have a variety of wellbeing resources:

  • Employee & Family Resources (EFR) will be on-hand to share resources and answer questions. In addition to counseling, EFR offers financial and legal consulting, eldercare and childcare resources, life coaching and more.
  • Samantha Matt, our on-campus dietitian, will answer your nutrition questions. She and Gail Witte will also be facilitating a Mindful Moves & Meals: Wellness for Busy Professionals class on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 2–3 p.m. in the Paul Morrison Room in the Knapp Center. Click HERE to register.
  • Representatives from the Drake Kinesiology department will offer free blood pressure checks. It is always good to know this number in tracking your health.
  • We will have staff from Recreational Services ready to share information on upcoming Group X classes, and much more.

Fill out a BINGO card during the fair and you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for you to be sure you understand and take advantage of the benefits and perks offered to you as an employee of Drake University and help prepare you to make benefit elections during open enrollment (from Oct. 31 to Dec. 1 this year), which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

University Budget Town Hall is Today at 3 p.m. in Olmsted Center

The University will hold a budget town hall today (Tuesday, Nov. 4) at 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to learn more about the fiscal year 2025 results, overall financial health, fiscal year 2026 budget, and a look ahead to future fiscal years. 

If you have questions you would like addressed at the town hall, please send them to president@drake.edu.

— Adam Voigts, Chief Financial Officer

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

United Way of Central Iowa Campaign Starts Monday

Our annual opportunity to contribute to the United Way of Central Iowa, as a University, is coming next week! Your optional contribution can be through monetary support, volunteering, and/or by donating needed supplies and food. We have some fun, giving-level incentives which includes the incentive of getting a full-day off on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving instead of a half-day—if we can hit our campaign participation goal of 30%!

The campaign will kick-off on Monday, Nov. 10, with an email from United Way of Central Iowa and will conclude on Friday, Nov. 14. Some highlights to share:

  • The campaign is part of our commitment as an anchor institution and to the Des Moines community
  • One hundred percent of the funds donated remain in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties)
  • Serves more than 10,000 people in the 50311 zip code
  • United Way financially supports many organizations that are partners with Drake including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa

This site contains all there is to know about the campaign with more details about the supply & food drive, volunteering opportunities, and giving level incentives.

You are encouraged to participate in a way that works for you!

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Final Reminder: Complete Your Security Awareness Training by Nov. 21

Cybersecurity Awareness Month may have wrapped up, but our commitment to digital safety continues. Nearly 30% of faculty and staff have finished the mandatory “Security Awareness Foundations” training—thank you to everyone who’s already taken action. If you haven’t yet completed the brief online module, there’s still time: the final deadline is Nov. 21. 

The training takes just 20 minutes or less and will help you recognize the latest cybersecurity threats, including those powered by AI. Protect yourself and our campus community by logging in and finishing your session as soon as possible. 

If you need assistance, reach out to the ITS Support Center at service.drake.edu/its or call 515-271-3001. Let’s work together to reach 100% completion and keep the Drake community secure.

— Becky Klein, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

National First-Gen Student Day

Nov. 8 is National First-Generation Student Day. A first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, first-generation students make up 25% of Drake’s new student population. This includes 28% of new EFR students.

The Office of New Student and Family Programs, Drake First Gen Bulldogs (student organization), and college and school academic offices are partnering to celebrate Drake first-generation students, staff, and faculty.

Visit our website or see the image below for ways you can participate in the celebration.

We will have a table set up in Olmsted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to create awareness and pass out snacks and First Gen Bulldog stickers/buttons. We hope you can stop by to show your support and pick up a sticker. We also encourage you to follow us on Instagram.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Campus Announcements Archive

Fireside Chat with Law Leaders Oct. 23

You’re invited to a fireside chat Thursday, Oct. 23, in Cartwright Hall at 3 p.m. featuring:

  • William Renn Gade, Deputy General Counsel for Intelligence & Security U.S. Department of Defense
  • Dennis Taylor, Former Secretary of Labor & Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kansas
  • Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General & Former U.S. Rep. (MN-05)

A reception will follow at 4 p.m.

— Dawn Brown, Law School