The Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Endowment was created to recognize Provost Ronald Troyer’s unwavering commitment to supporting faculty research and development at the highest level. At this time, the application process for the Troyer Research Fellowship is open and applications are due on Feb. 21, 2025. Interested applicants should click here to access the call for applications.
— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost
You are reminded that submissions for Fall 2025 First Year Seminar (FYS) course proposals are now open and that the deadline for receiving all course submissions is Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Whether you have a new concept in mind or wish to revisit a previous topic, you are invited to share your vision. Additionally, you are invited to participate in the proposed FYS learning communities. Click here to browse information and submission guidelines for the Fall 2025 FYS call.
— Jimmy Senteza, Deputy Provost of Academic Affairs
Do you know a staff member who would like to make an impact to strengthen the staff experience on campus? Nominate them (or yourself!) NOW for All Staff Council. The following three-year positions are available:
Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 14, by midnight. Elections will be held in the spring. Newly elected members will begin their three-year term on June 1, 2025. Learn more about All Staff Council here.
— Ryan Harris, On behalf of All Staff Council
Intramurals are back in full swing this semester and you can get involved in the fun. Download the Drake Rec App or IM leagues / Drake and register with a team or as a free agent to reserve your spot today. Spots will fill up quickly, so don’t wait.
Reach out to Intramurals@drake.edu for any questions.
— Alex Fearino
Drake’s annual career fair is coming up in just a couple of weeks, and we need help from our faculty and staff colleagues to ensure it’s a success for our Class of 2023 and Class of 2024 alumni, current students, and employer and graduate/professional school partners.
There are several ways you can help:
Encourage Participation: Date, time, and location are below. Please distribute these details via email with recent alumni, students, and advisees; post them in your course syllabus; print and post a promotional flier outside your office; share an announcement and reminders in class and during appointments; shout it from the rooftops!
Thursday, Feb. 13
Olmsted Student Center
3–6 p.m. (3–3:30 p.m. is reserved for recent alumni and graduating students)
Volunteer: We still need a number of volunteers to help with event set-up, student check-in and registration, employer check-in, and especially event tear-down and clean-up. It’s a great opportunity for faculty and staff to connect with students outside of our usual areas, meet our employer and graduate school partners, and go “all in this together!” If you and/or colleagues from your college/school or department are interested in volunteering, please sign up for a shift on the Career Fair Volunteers SignUpGenius.
Save-the-Dates: February is a busy month in Career Services! In addition to our career fair, we have two additional, campus-wide events to help support students’ career and professional development. Please also help us to promote:
Thursday, Feb. 6
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Olmsted Student Center Conference Rooms (Upper level)
This is a drop-in, in-person opportunity for students to meet with our Career Services staff, employer partners, and other faculty and staff volunteers for feedback and input on their resume or CV in preparation for the career fair. No appointments necessary!
Friday, Feb. 28
8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Olmsted Student Center, Parents Hall South
Join Career Services, the Office of Alumni Relations, and 20–25 alumni guests for breakfast, networking, and a keynote address from Drake alumna and Senior DEI Associate at the Weitz Company, Shekinah Fountain, on using LinkedIn as a tool for professional networking and career engagement. All students must register on EventBrite. Space is limited. Thanks to our event sponsors: Principality Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.
—Jill Batten, Strategic Director of Advising & Career Services
’Twas a few weeks before the fair, and all through Drake’s campus,
Students were stressing out but preparing with focus.
Polishing their resume, practicing their pitch,
Each student ready to impress, without any hitch.
The emails were sent and OnCampus invites,
“Sign up for the Career Fair!” in flashing lights.
From business to STEM, education and journalism, too,
So many employers and graduate programs will be looking for talent like you.
(modified from OpenAI, 2024)
Drake students from all majors and Class of 2023 and 2024 alumni are invited!
When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 3–6 p.m.
*3–3:30 p.m. is reserved for recent alumni and graduating students
Where: Olmsted Student Center
Student Check-In – Olmsted Breezeway
Career Fair – Upper Level
Student Registration is open NOW!
Sign up on Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/stu/career_fairs/49427
Professional attire is required.
No jeans or sweatpants. A suit is recommended. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers/dress pants/skirt and a button-down shirt, blouse or sweater.
Polish Your Resume and Practice Your Pitch:
Thursday, Feb. 6; drop-in, in-person anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
—Jill Batten, Strategic Director of Advising & Career Services
The fresh semester means fresh fits! Explore the Bulldog Shop’s newest arrivals and refresh your Drake styles to start the new semester looking your best and showing your school spirit. Not back on campus yet? No problem. Shop your favorites online and select “Ship to Campus” at checkout for easy, convenient in-store pickup when you arrive on campus.
And don’t forget to gear up for basketball season too. Find exclusive basketball gear at the Bulldog Shop or visit us at Spike’s Locker Room on game days. We’re open at all men’s and women’s home games. Go Bulldogs!
— Bulldog Shop
Get ready to level up your fitness game! 🎉 Join us for the Fitness on Demand Launch Party—a high-energy event designed to make wellness fun and accessible for everyone. Experience the hottest virtual workouts, sample healthy snacks, and win prizes. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just looking to try something new, this party is your ticket to sweat, socialize, and stay inspired. Let’s make fitness your favorite new habit—don’t miss out!
The launch party will take place from 10:00 am – Noon on Saturday, February 8 in the Bell Center Studio
– Gail Witte, Recreational Services
Stay fit during J-term! Gail will be teaching two lunchtime (12:15-12:45) classes every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of January in the Bell Center Studio.
Tuesdays will be FUNctional Fitness, and Thursday will be all about Kettle Bells. We have so much fun, and we hope to see you in class!
—Gail Witte, Recreational Services
With the start of the new year, it is wise to review your Pay Information through the Employee Dashboard.
For your quick reference, we have highlighted a few of these important sections.
Within the Pay Information section on the Employee Dashboard, you can access current and previous paystubs and direct deposit information. As the new year begins, you may see slight variations in your pay. This could be due to a multitude of factors including: a new tax year which causes payroll deductions to “restart” with the calendar year; a change in compensation; and newly elected benefit deductions for the upcoming year, as well as taxes related to any graduate level courses that you or your dependents may be taking.
The Benefits section navigates you to the Benefits Portal for easy access to review your benefits information. A separate link for Retirement Plans is available to provide information about your TIAA retirement payroll deductions.
Within the Taxes section, the online W-2s will be available during the last week in January. The online 1095-C forms will be available in March.
Please email drakehr@drake.edu if you have any questions. We are happy to assist you.
Teresa Downs, Human Resources
