All posts by John Krantz

Campus Announcements Archive

Iowa Architectural Foundation to host Meredith Hall celebration event

“Celebrating Meredith Hall: a Mies Masterpiece Renewed” will be presented by the Iowa Architectural Foundation and the Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication on October 12 at 7 p.m.

The Iowa Architectural Foundation and the Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication are proud to announce a special event, Celebrating Meredith Hall: A Mies Masterpiece Renewed, on October 12, 2024. This exciting evening will celebrate the restoration of Drake University’s Meredith Hall, a 1965 architectural landmark designed by modernist master Mies van der Rohe. Proceeds from the event will benefit the ongoing restoration efforts.

Event Highlights:

  • Social Hour & Docent Stations: Starting at 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer while exploring the beautifully restored interiors of Meredith Hall. Docents will be stationed to share insights about its design and history.
  • Knoll Furniture Display: Capture a selfie at the modern furniture display, sponsored by Pigott and MillerKnoll, specially curated as an homage to Mies and Saarinen furniture designs of the Modernist movement. Florence has always credited Mies as her most influential mentor, and, in 1948, Mies granted Knoll exclusive rights to produce his furniture.
  • Exhibit: Dive into the rich history of Meredith Hall with a digital exhibit showcasing original blueprints, photographs, and artifacts that reveal its architectural significance.
  • BNIM Architects Q&A: Learn from the experts at BNIM Architects about the intricate 2022-2023 restoration project. The revitalization included key infrastructure updates, sustainability improvements, and enhancements to the learning environment—all while preserving Mies’s original vision.
  • Special Access to Scott Chapel: Guests will also have the rare opportunity to visit the Oreon E. Scott Chapel, a modernist treasure designed by Eero Saarinen and dedicated in 1955.
  • Documentary Screening: At 8:00 PM, settle in for an exclusive screening of the 2023 documentary The Mies van der Rohes, offering an intimate look at Mies’s life and work through the eyes of his eldest daughter.
  • Plus, a Chance to Win!: Guests will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a Florence Knoll hairpin table—an elegant addition to any modernist interior.

This event is a unique opportunity to celebrate the vision of Mies van der Rohe, experience the renewal of one of Iowa’s most treasured architectural landmarks, and support its preservation for future generations.

Tickets:
Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase on Eventbrite here.

This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: BNIM, MillerKnoll, Pigott, Story Construction, Modus, and The Waldinger Corp.

About Iowa Architectural Foundation: The Iowa Architectural Foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of architecture and design in Iowa through education and community engagement.

— John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing

Campus Announcements Archive

Walk the Bulldog Mile Wednesday as part of the Healthiest State Walk

Grab your walking shoes and join the Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 2. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to meet at noon at the start of the Bulldog Mile, where you will receive a token/sticker. At the end of the 1-mile walk, turn in your token/sticker for a raffle ticket and chance to win a prize. If that’s not enough, you can earn additional raffle tickets with the lucky roll of some dice!

If it is raining, we will move the event to the indoor track at the Knapp Center. Come alone, bring a friend, or make it a team or department event. Let’s get moving!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Panel discussion on generative AI: Navigating Student Use

The Center for Teaching & Learning will host panel discussions about generative AI topics this fall. The panelists will be Drake faculty members who are using generative AI in their classrooms and for their research. Come learn more about this transformative technology from your colleagues across the University.

The first panel, “Navigating Student Use of Generative AI”, will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 212. The panelists are Alanah Mitchell (Zimpleman), Amy Letter (College of Arts & Sciences, English), and Dan Chibnall (Cowles Library).

Later this semester, we will be discussing how to use generative AI for instructional use, and how to use generative AI to further your research and scholarship.

The sessions are informal and you can come and go as your schedule allows. To give us an idea of how many to plan for, please open the event on the Campus Calendar and click on I’m Interested.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council fall bake-off and costume contest

All Staff Council is holding a fall bake-off competition and costume contest on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 12–1:30 p.m. by the Pomerantz Stage in the Olmsted Center. You are welcome to participate in one or both contests, or just come for the event and cheer on your colleagues. And for just $5 you can also get a chili lunch.

Bake-Off: Calling all bakers to another sweet bake-off competition. Bring your “A” game with your most delicious and decadent fall inspired dessert baked goods to be judged in this spirited competition. Judging will start at 11:45 a.m. with the goal to have samples of the desserts ready (while they last) for those enjoying the chili lunch.  The top three winners will receive prizes. Click HERE to register.

Costume Contest: Do you like to get spooky for Halloween? Do your kids always have the best costumes on the block? Do your pets love/hate you for dressing them up? To enter the costume contest, simply take a picture of yourself, your kids, and/or your pets and send it to Tiffany Hach at tiffany.hach@drake.edu no later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Pictures will be displayed in a slide show during the bake-off contest/chili luncheon for all to enjoy. Winners will be announced in OnCampus, and prizes awarded in two categories: 1) Adults and 2) Kids/Pets. Recent pictures only, and they must be appropriate, but have fun with it!

Chili Lunch:  In addition to the contest, please come enjoy community building and a chili lunch (plus dessert samples while they last) for $5.  If you’re not interested in the lunch, but want to attend and support your competing colleagues, please feel free to join us at no charge.

— Linda Feiden, On behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive

Call for Applicants: Faculty Success Program

The National Council for Faculty Development & Diversity’s most popular program is the Faculty Success Program, an intensive session that includes individualized coaching, weekly training, and cohort-based community. The Center for Teaching & Learning has one fully-paid scholarship seat in the 2025 Program which runs from Jan. 27 to April 6. For more information about the Faculty Success Program, visit the NCFDD website.

To apply for the 2025 scholarship, complete the form found here by end of day Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Theatre Presents “First Date: The Musical”

Join Drake Theatre for a night of laughter and love as we present First Date: The Musical. Follow Aaron and Casey’s journey into the chaos of a blind date that takes unexpected turns, filled with catchy songs and relatable moments.

📅: Thursday, Oct. 3 – Sunday, Oct. 6
🕒: Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
📍: Fine Arts Center Coleman Studio Theatre

Don’t miss this hilarious and heartfelt journey through love’s first steps. Grab your tickets now and get ready for a night to remember.

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/drakefinearts/6865.

— Amber Hussain, Arts & Sciences

Campus Announcements Archive

Pickleball with KKG

Join Kappa Kappa Gamma in a friendly pickleball competition on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12–4 p.m. at Valley View Park, 225 88th Street, West Des Moines. All proceeds go to our three philanthropies: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and Children’s Cancer Connection. Reach out to abigail.axell@drake.edu with any questions or concerns.

https://kkg.crowdchange.co/42153

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IHxMF3tPE8GYyvmXY5Me0vLDh6Pulcl1dLX5xKVF2R8/edit?usp=sharing

— Abby Axell, PH,BN

Campus Announcements Archive

Law School to offer free financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills clinic

Drake Law School and Dickinson Bradshaw will offer a free community clinic to help individuals prepare powers of attorney, living will, and simple will documents on Friday, Oct. 25. Participants may choose from three convenient sessions: 9–10:30 a.m., 12–1:30 p.m., or 4–5:30 p.m.

Each session will consist of a 45-minute overview about powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills, followed by a one-on-one appointment with a licensed Dickinson Bradshaw attorney and/or Drake Law student to complete the required documents. Attorneys will be available to answer additional questions. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain signed and notarized documents for their files.

The clinic will be held at Drake University Law School, Cartwright Hall, 2621 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, in room 201.

The clinic is being held as part of Drake Law and Dickinson Bradshaw’s recognition of Cady Day of Public Service. Cady Day of Service brings the community together to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court Mark S. Cady.

The clinic is free but advanced registration is required. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powers-of-attorney-living-wills-and-simple-wills-clinic-tickets-1003704315627?aff=oddtdtcreator)

For more information contact Theresa Howard at theresa.howard@drake.edu.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

HR Information Archive

Workplace Illness and Injury Policy update

 Drake changed workers compensation carriers effective July 1, 2024. The shift to a new carrier, United Heartland, provided an opportunity to carefully review our workplace illness and injury policy. The revised policy is posted for comment. The policy revision requires a first report of injury within 24 hours of the incident giving rise to the illness or injury. In addition, the policy now includes details about how pay and benefits are handled during any related absence consistent with past practice and Iowa law. Finally, the policy also shifts responsibility for the policy and its administration to Human Resources. The office of Environmental Health and Safety will remain involved in investigating workplace accidents and working to improve safety on campus, while Human Resources will be responsible for managing claims, working with employees to secure care, and assisting employees and managers with return to work and workplace accommodations.

 — Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer