All posts by Hilary Ortmann

Campus Announcements Archive

Volunteers needed for CHARACTER COUNTS! game

Drake Athletics and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center are hosting more than 6,000 K–8th grade students at the Drake women’s basketball CHARACTER COUNTS! game on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to manage concessions. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Hilary Ortmann at hilary.ortmann@drake.edu to sign up.

All volunteers will receive a Drake basketball T-shirt and a pizza/soda party. This is a great opportunity to use your volunteer hours and demonstrate Drake’s Core Value: We’re all in this together!

— Hilary Ortmann, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

HR Information Archive

Stay Financially Healthy Through the Holidays

It is all too easy to get caught up in the spending cycle over the holidays. Scott Nelson, from Legacy Financial, will share tips on how to have a great holiday season yet maintain financial control during a presentation Nov. 6 from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311.

Scott will share tricks stores are using to get you to spend more, uncover the real cost and impact of holiday spending, and provide practical solutions to help you stay on track. And, one attendee will receive an early holiday gift! Register here.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Benefits/Wellness Fair and Crock Pot Cook-Off Nov. 8

A benefits/wellness fair will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from 10:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Parents Hall North.  This “come and go” event provides an opportunity for employees to learn about the wide range of benefits and wellness opportunities available at Drake, ask questions, and visit with colleagues.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa representatives, Drake benefit consultants, and Human Resources staff will be present to answer your questions regarding Drake’s benefits.

Afterward, walk next door to Parents Hall South between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the All Staff Council Crock Pot Cook-Off to taste delicious crock pot samples and vote for your favorite. All attendees will receive a ticket for $1 off lunch at Hubbell Dining, and may enter a raffle for a chance to win a free parking pass for 2020–2021.  You are welcome to bring a non-perishable item for Drake’s Little Pantry initiative as well.

To enter the crock pot contest, please register at https://tinyurl.com/ASCcook-off.  All entries must be received by Monday, Nov. 4. The top three winners will receive prizes! For more information on the cook-off, please contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

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

Campus Announcements Archive

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

For Students Archive

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

For Students Archive

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

For Students Archive

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
For Students Archive

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