All posts by Caron Findlay

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

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lunch Oct. 25

The second Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is Friday, Oct. 25, at 12 p.m. in TMR 133. These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one, to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL—to share ideas, seek advice or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are still welcome to join us, and bring your own.

— Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost

Celebrate creatives, risk-takers, and innovators Nov. 9–15

Innovation Week is Nov. 9–15. Through a series of events and activities across campus, Innovation Week showcases transformational, innovative, and creative ideas and ventures. Some of the featured events include:

  • The annual DELTA Rx competition
  • The annual Bark Tank competition where Drake students can win cash for their Drake-related idea
  • A letterpress printing workshop
  • Carvey tile carving

For more information, check out the event page on the University calendar. Details about individual events will be posted to our  Facebook page soon. Want email notifications? Sign up for the Drake Innovation newsletter at https://drakeinnovation.com/.

— Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Griff, Honorary President for the Day

Thank you to the Drake community for showing your support for the Live Mascot Program during our recent fundraising campaign. Over $11,000 was raised by the community and alumni Doug, BN’75, and Peggy, BN’76, GR’96, Person contributed an additional $10,000 in matching funds. This outpouring of generosity supports the program and its continued work to be a welcome and inclusive presence on campus and expand the program’s work as an ambassador to prospective students and the greater Des Moines community.   

And now for the fun: President Marty Martin issued a challenge that Griff would be named honorary President for a day if the fundraising goal was met by Oct. 17. That goal was surpassed and today (Tuesday, Oct. 21) is the day! Head over to Griff’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see how Griff is spending his day as the honorary University President.

— Alicia Chilton, University Communications & Marketing

2019 Sussman Leadership Conference: Down with Drake Busy

Each year, the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute hosts the annual Sussman Leadership Conference; a half-day event that brings together undergraduate student leaders from across Drake’s campus to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and gain skills to apply to their personal lives, student leadership roles, academic projects, and professional goals.

This year’s Sussman Conference, “Down with Drake Busy,” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. in Parents Hall. Brunch is included, and dress is casual. All students who attend will be entered to win two VIP seats to the 41st Annual Bucksbaum Lecture with Megan Rapinoe!

Please visit bit.ly/sussmanconference to learn more and reserve your seat by Oct. 23.

— Kristin Economos, Director, Student Leadership Programs

The Psychology of Mindset and Resilience: A Faculty/Staff Development Session with Tim Bono

Later this month, Drake University will welcome Tim Bono to campus as the keynote speaker for the 2019 Sussman Leadership Conference, where he’ll speak to undergraduate student leaders about his research regarding college student well-being, happiness, and their connections to student success.

Bono is a faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis, where he studies positive psychology, wellbeing, and happiness among college students. Bono’s book, When Likes Aren’t Enough, discusses 10 evidence-based strategies proven to increase college student well-being, and is used in the Adams Leadership Institute curriculum.

As part of his visit to campus, the Adams Leadership Institute is hosting a faculty/staff development session with Bono.

Title: “The Psychology of Mindset and Resilience: A faculty/staff development workshop.”

When: Monday, Oct. 28, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
(light breakfast will be available beginning at 9 a.m.)

Where: Levitt Hall (no RSVP required)

Failure and setbacks are part of any successful person’s path. But how can we muster the strength to persevere when times are most trying?

Join us for a presentation highlighting the latest research and perspectives from positive psychology on the of mindset and resilience. We will discuss resilience as a life skill, misconceptions about self-esteem, and practical strategies for rebounding from adversity, both for our students and for ourselves.

Please share the events details with your colleagues and networks.

— Kristin Economos, Director, Student Leadership Programs

Many honored by colleagues for Joyful Accountability

More than 80 Drake faculty and staff were honored by colleagues for exhibiting the Drake Core Value of Joyful Accountability. These individuals were honored at the Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Oct. 17. Four individuals were selected at random to receive prizes.

  • Christine Urish, premiere parking spot for 1 month
  • Niki Smith, lavender bread
  • Michael Nelson, afternoon office treats
  • Scott Raecker, St. Kilda gift card

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify Generosity of Spirit will be honored at the next Drake Social, Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost