All posts by Amanda Martin

Campus Announcements Archive

Participate in a DMARC hunger simulation

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is recognized across the United States each November. In honor of that week, Next Course Food Recovery is inviting the campus community to a Hunger Simulation being facilitated by DMARC, a local organization that manages a food pantry network of 14 sites.

DMARC has shared that they have consistently been having their busiest months ever. This August, they saw an 18% increase from last August – with 23,886 people making 27,142 visits to DMARC food pantries.

Come to the Hunger Simulation to learn more about the issue of food insecurity in Central Iowa. This is an interactive, engaging experience.

It will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Conference Rooms 310-311. Register on DUgood.

Next Course Food Recovery recruits and trains volunteers to collect leftover, untouched food from the dining halls, catering events, and cafes at Drake and delivers it to local non-profits. Learn more or to sign up to volunteer.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Office supply exchange pilot: Feedback needed

The Office of Sustainability has discovered there is a demand for an interdepartmental program to extend the life of office supplies at Drake. In response, the office is planning to pilot an OSCAR (Office Supply Collection and Reuse) program.

This will keep supplies out of the landfill and save money by reducing the need to repurchase items.

A survey has been put together to gather feedback prior to the pilot.  Please consider filling it out if you have any ideas or input you would like to add. This should help ensure the pilot goes smoothly and is beneficial to those involved.  This survey is anonymous, so be sure to include your name if you would like me to respond to any comments or questions.

If you have supplies that you need to get rid of before the pilot, reach out to hannah.remke@drake.edu.

—Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator 

HR Information Archive

Time is running out to receive your Wellness Premium Discount

If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out.  This is an annual requirement to receive the discount.

Employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with a PCP between Dec. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Nov. 30, 2023, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2024. This is a savings of approximately $34 per month.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2022, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with your primary care provider, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

You can read more about the discount program and download the form for 2024 (or 2025) on this new webpage: Wellness Premium Discount.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is an important way to receive health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Tune in to Everclass with alumnus Al McCoy Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.

Join us Thursday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. to experience a one-of-a-kind conversation with legendary Phoenix Suns broadcaster, Al McCoy, FA’54. Recently retired after an incredible 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” Al McCoy is a true NBA icon. Join us for an exclusive opportunity to delve into his incredible career, hear unforgettable stories from Suns history, and get a behind-the-scenes look at his remarkable journey from the small town of Williams, Iowa, to Drake and the NBA.

This is a virtual event and it is open to alumni, faculty, staff, and students.

Register here.

Questions? Reach out to Mady Nachtman at mady.nachtman@drake.edu.

HR Information Archive

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.  When this happens, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream.  Over time, this can cause serious health problems, including heart and kidney disease, vision loss, and stroke. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States (and may be underreported).

In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.  That might include you, and you may not even know it.  More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it.  Another 96 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, which increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, yet more than 8 in 10 don’t know it.  So how do you know if you have diabetes?

First, are you at risk?  There are three main types of diabetes; type 1, type 2, and gestational, but over 90% of those diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.  To check your risk of type 2 diabetes, take this 60-second quiz from the CDC.  Second, check for any possible symptoms (thirsty, tired, losing weight, blurred vision, etc.).  Even if you pass the risk and symptom test, the only way to truly know for sure if you have diabetes is to have your blood sugar checked by your primary care physician.  It is a simple blood test.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your health care team will guide you.  If you are at a high risk for diabetes, you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes today by staying at (or getting to) a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and being active.

For those on Drake’s health plan, inpatient and outpatient training, and education for the self-management of all types of diabetes is covered. All covered training or education must be prescribed by a licensed physician and outpatient training, or education must be provided by a state certified program.  You can go to Wellmark.com, click “Find a facility”, “Places by type”, and then type in “diabetic education” to find a list of in-network facilities that offer this education.

The steps you take today can make all the difference tomorrow.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Volunteers needed for CHARACTER COUNTS! Day with Drake Women’s Basketball

The Ray Center and Drake Women’s Basketball Team are excited to again be hosting the CHARACTER COUNTS! Day with Drake Women’s Basketball game! Thousands of K-8 students will join us on Dec. 8 for a morning full of fun, character education, and basketball. The Ray Center is looking for volunteers from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help thousands of students on and off buses, find their assigned seats, carry in coolers with sack lunches, assist teachers, help with concessions, etc. If you are interested in volunteering for this fun event, please email Megan Wesselink at Megan.Wesselink@drake.edu. Please RSVP by the end of the day Thursday, Nov. 9, to receive a free game day T-shirt. Go Bulldogs!

— Megan Wesselink, The Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

For Students Archive

Financial Aid information and resources

Information about the types of financial aid at Drake, financial aid policies, and other helpful information can be found at drake.edu/finaid. For example, you can:

If you have questions, the Financial Aid Office is here to help! Please contact our office or stop by Carnegie Hall.

— Ryan Zantingh, Office of Financial Aid

Campus Announcements Archive

“Cute as a caucus button” event at the Drake University Archives

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to the Drake University Archives on Friday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a caucus-themed button making event. Stop by Cowles for to make your own button, take a look at the Archives’ political button collection, and meet special guest Griff II. This event is sponsored by the Iowa Caucus Project and the Drake University Archives. No RSVP required, please feel free to stop by any time between 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.

— Libby Johnson, Junior, College of Arts & Sciences

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Student Success Spotlight: Claire Muselman, assistant professor in Zimpleman College of Business

Welcome back to the Student Success spotlight, an opportunity to recognize the people and resources that make a difference in Drake students’ lives. Each week, we’ll shine a light on the outstanding individuals and initiatives that contribute to the success and growth of our community.

This week features Claire Muselman, assistant professor of practice in leadership, HR, organizational behavior, and The Happiness Wall.

Regarding The Happiness Wall:
The Happiness Wall began as a heartfelt extension of a practice I introduced when I started teaching at Drake in 2019 – the “Tell me three good things since the last time we saw each other.” As an adjunct for a night class, my time with the students was limited. I yearned to create genuine connections and look for mutual connection points to foster a sense of belonging and trust. I continued this and still do in all of my classes. Now that I am full-time faculty, it is time to create something that will make the world awesome and expand the depth of this gratitude practice.

With the Happiness Wall & Three Good Things in the classroom, I aimed to:|
1. Make each student feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. For those moments, time is theirs. 100% undivided attention.
2. Cultivate a positive environment because a positive mindset is always more open to learning.
3. Emphasize the undeniable health benefits of gratitude, supported by numerous studies.
4. Learn about my students – their hobbies, values, and joys – fostering deeper human connections. This is a great way to learn about where they spend their time, talent, and treasures. <- Truly the only things that we have in life.
5. Set each student up for success by creating an optimistic culture wherein they feel encouraged to explore, make mistakes, and grow.
6. Control the classroom environment to ensure it is supportive and conducive to student growth.
7. Facilitate easy ice-breakers to kickstart each session.

When the pandemic hit, the importance of focusing on the good things and expressing gratitude became even more pronounced. The activity not only became a way to keep spirits high but also a beacon of resilience. I still feel this way even post-pandemic because of the mental health crisis we see all around us. Finding even the simplest of joys within a day can be a small sliver of hope someone needs to keep going.

Advice for others who are interested in this initiative:
It is simple and powerful. Start small, be consistent, and always come from a place of genuine interest in the well-being and success of your students or team.

Highlights:
Seeing students’ faces light up, witnessing their growth, and observing deeper bonds forming among peers have been the most heartwarming outcomes. The Happiness Wall has become more than just an activity; it is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community.

Specific wins of note:

– I had my first therapy session today.
– Saturday night in San Diego after the win was one of the best nights I’ve ever had.
– My last-second play made ESPN’s Sports Center Top 10.
– I watched my friend win the MVC Championships.
– I shared a meal of food with my roommates.
– The holiday season is approaching, meaning more time with friends & family.

My favorite things about teaching and advising Drake students:

It is witnessing their transformative journey – from being unsure freshmen to confident individuals ready to take on the world. Their passion, enthusiasm, and dedication inspire me every day.

For Students Archive

International graduation stoles: Order by Nov. 15

The International Student & Scholar Services department (ISSS) wants to continue the tradition of offering an international stoles. Stoles allow you to display pride during commencement—pride in your academic achievements, in your student clubs or professional organizations, and in the place (or places) you call home. We are working with a company called Vision Wear International, and they provide a discount for bulk orders. You can look at the options available on their website at: https://www.visionwear.com/.

Please let Jorona Johnson (jorona.johnson@drake.edu) know directly if you would like to order a stole and, if so, which type. Be sure to include the flag name(s) in your email. We will need a response no later than Nov. 15 so we will have enough time to collect payment and place the order.

— Jorona Johnson, Global Engagement