All posts by Kayla Bell-Consolver

Campus Announcements Archive

QPR Training: Suicide Prevention

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Get trained today. Please consider attending an upcoming QPR training. Participants will learn valuable tools to respond to and support anyone that may exhibit the warning signs of suicide.

When: Various dates here. The first training will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 –4:30 p.m. 
Where: Olmsted, Rooms 312–313

For questions, contact kayla.bell@drake.edu.

Campus Announcements Archive

DU England Fall 2025 Info Session

A cohort of Drake students will study abroad Fall 2025 on the DU England study abroad program with Professor Melisa Klimaszewski, our very own British Victorian studies and literature expert. Students enroll in one or two Drake course(s), as well as courses at Harlaxton College, taught by British and visiting faculty.

Courses taken at Harlaxton can be pre-approved to count toward your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs.

Studying abroad on DU England, students are charged Drake tuition and keep their scholarship package, making your experience abroad comparable in cost to staying right here in Des Moines. In addition, you could earn a study abroad scholarship, as we award over $100,000 every year!

If you are interested in learning more about this program, there are several upcoming information sessions to be held in Olmsted, Room 310. The first information session will be held Friday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m.

If you have questions or want to set up a study abroad advising appointment, please reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Emily Erschen, Global Engagement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Athletics Hosts “Hoopy Hour” Friday and Saturday

Drake Athletics has announced a unique experience for Bulldog faculty and staff to partake in the celebration of their hometown team with Hoopy Hour at the Knapp Center on Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8. The event will allow fans to experience the revamped Mid-American Atrium and Morrison Hall of Honor while getting to enjoy live music.

On Friday, Feb. 7, Hoopy Hour will take place from 3:45-5:00 p.m. in the Mid-American Atrium of the Knapp Center ahead of the women’s basketball contest against Illinois State that begins at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday’s Hoopy Hour event will also occur in the Mid-American Atrium and will be held from 2:45-4:00 p.m. ahead of the men’s basketball game against Indiana State, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

Happy hour drinks will be served, and live music performances will take place for both events. Providing the live music on Friday will be the Dogtown Rhythm Band and Saturday will feature local artist, Damon Dotson.

Dogtown Rhythm Band is a blues ensemble recently formed by Drake professors David Lubbers and Tom Buckmiller. Lubbers, a 1986 Drake Graduate and former men’s basketball player, currently serves as an assistant professor at Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Buckmiller, is the Director of the LEAD program at Drake and is in his 15th year as a faculty member.

Dotson is a singer/songwriter based out of Des Moines, Iowa. Originally from Okoboji, Iowa, Dotson has opened for legendary performers like BB King, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and The News, as well as modern artists like Matt Nathanson, The Band Perry, Edwin McCain, and The Lone Bellow. He has also been named Des Moines’ “Best Local Musician” by City View magazine.

Game tickets are required to attend the Hoopy Hour events on both days. For Drake faculty & staff on Friday, the event ticket is $10 and includes a ticket to the game. For Drake faculty & staff on Saturday, the event ticket is $15 and includes a ticket to the game. Event tickets can be purchased HERE using the promo code DSMUSA2.

— Greg Kay, Athletics

For Faculty Archive

Deadline Approaching for DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence, Spring 2026

Drake University is seeking interested faculty to apply for the DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence position to teach and support student learning on Drake’s semester-long, cohort-model, study abroad program in Seville, Spain.

The DU Spain Semester Faculty-in-Residence application is live through Qualtrics for Spring 2026. To learn more about this opportunity including eligibility, compensation, responsibilities, and to officially apply, go to https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0NiU9mtxxVKgC3A

Submissions are due Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. If you have questions or want to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to Maria Rohach, director of education abroad, at maria.rohach@drake.edu to schedule time to meet.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Bundle Up With Bulldog Gear

Grab your winter essentials from the Bulldog Shop today to keep you ready for anything the season throws your way. Check out two of our must-have pieces:

  • Windbreaker Jacket: Lightweight and breathable, perfect for those unpredictable Iowa days.
  • Bomber Jacket: Sleek, warm, and ready to elevate your Bulldog style.

This is the perfect time to refresh your winter wardrobe—come visit us in-store or shop online.

— The Bulldog Shop

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Inviting Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Awards

In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values.

This year, the Provost’s office has added the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award to the list in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s awards. Each year a member of the Drake University faculty will be honored with this award for their scholarship excellence as detailed in the call for nominations accessible below.

Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.

Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

Strategic Updates Archive

Provost’s Social and Special Exhibition Today, 4 p.m., Cline Atrium

The February Provost’s Social will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Cline Atrium beginning at 4 p.m.

This month’s social will include a special exhibition on AI facial recognition-defeating textile art, with a themed raffle and short presentation by Professor Sayoko Blodgett-Ford. Please join us to explore this fascinating intersection of technology and art.

Refreshments will include an assortment of beverages, cupcakes, and light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

SPARC Speed Networking Event

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance (SPARC) is hosting a fun, interactive faculty event on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 212 (faculty lounge).

RSVP

RSVP by noon on Feb. 10 to lori.byrd@drake.edu.

The networking event is an opportunity to:

  • Meet other faculty
  • Bring your project ideas to share
  • Identify possible collaborations

Come and go as you are available! However, the longer you stay the more faculty you will meet.

SPARC staff will also be on hand to discuss funding opportunities and answer questions. Refreshments will be available.

— Lori Byrd, Director, Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Call for nominations: Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service awards

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2025 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The Distinguished Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for each of these awards can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 3.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Wellness Premium Incentive reminder

Many start the year out by getting their annual physical. If that sounds like you and you are on Drake’s health plan, don’t forget to take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your appointment.This form can be found on the Drake HR Internal website. Just look for Wellness Premium Discount under the DU Well – Wellness and Wellbeing tab.

Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed form by Dec. 1, 2025, will qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, which is a savings of over $30 per month.

If you already had your physical since Dec. 1, 2024, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you turned in your form last year—great! But don’t forget, this is an annual event.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources