All posts by Lauren Chavarro

Register for inaugural Zimpleman 2024 Business for Good Summit

Join influential thought leaders and industry pioneers as they showcase how business can be a force for good in our rapidly evolving world.

Drake’s first annual Zimpleman Business for Good Summit features keynote speaker David Reiling, Sunrise Banks CEO and President, as part of the Archie Boe Lecture Series, and offers the opportunity to connect with other change agents shaping our economy while championing values of sustainability and inclusion within their communities.

What: Zimpleman Business for Good Summit

When: Friday, April 19, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Olmsted Center at Drake University (2875 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311)

RSVP: The summit is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. Visit businessforgood.eventbrite.com to register now.

The Archie Boe Lecture Series is proudly presented by the Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation at Drake University.

Iowa Character Awards nominations due May 1

Do you know an Iowan who is a good role model and deserves to be recognized for their good character? The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Iowa Character Awards! The Iowa Character Awards acknowledges individuals and organizations who show good character in the following categories:

  • Citizen of Character
  • Educator of Character
  • School of Character
  • Student Organization of Character
  • Business/Organization of Character
  • Athletic Team or Organization of Character
  • Community of Character

Nominations will be accepted through May 1, 2024. All nominees are recognized. Recipients are celebrated at the Iowa Character Awards Dinner, during a one-hour prime-time special, and at a hometown event of their choosing.

Learn more and get started on your nomination materials at IowaCharacterAwards.org. Additional nomination information, award descriptions, and criteria are also available online.

Megan Wesselink, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

Learn more about study abroad and DU Spain at info session April 19

Students who have considered studying abroad during their time at Drake are invited to attend an information session hosted on April 19 in the Cowles Library fish bowl (LIB 201). The first 30 minutes (10–10:30 a.m.) will be general information about the process, timeline, and financial aspects of studying abroad, and the last 30 minutes (10:30–11 a.m.) will be an in-depth look at our incredible DU Spain program offered in Spring 2025. We look forward to meeting you and helping make your study abroad dreams a reality.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagment

New retirement planning option

In June 2024, Drake employees will have the option to enroll in a Roth IRA, administered by our 403(b) partner, TIAA.

A new federal law recently enacted, the SECURE 2.0 Act, has brought about substantial changes to retirement account rules in the United States. Although these changes require employers to make a Roth IRA available to certain high-paid employees, Drake has decided to make it available to all eligible employees.

To learn more about how you can make Roth contributions to Drake’s Voluntary Retirement Plan, click here Additionally, please plan to attend an on-campus presentation provided by Drake’s new TIAA field consultant on Friday, May 3.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Get involved in campus sustainability

April is Earth Month and Drake is going all out. Events are being put on by DEAL, Student Alumni Association, Student Activities Board, Epsilon Eta, Drake Grounds, and the Office of Sustainability. Take a minute to see what is going on!

April 16th, 7–9 p.m.: Relax and enjoy a movie in Sussman Theater courtesy of DEAL and Epsilon Eta.

April 17th, 5–7 p.m.: Meet at the Sprout Garden to learn all about soil on campus.

April 18th, 5–7 p.m.: Learn more about soil at the speaker panel at Pom Stage.

April 18th, 6 p.m.: Decorate a tumbler for Earth Day with SAB at Pom Stage.

April 19th, 11:30–1:30 p.m.: Help Drake maintain its Tree Campus Higher Education designation by joining DEAL and Grounds for the annual tree planting. Meet between Howard and Sheslow. Supplies will be provided. Sign up here.

April 20th, 10–12 p.m.: Join SAA at the Harkin Institute Parking Lot to pick up trash for Paul Morrison Spruce Up Day. RSVP here.

April 20th, 4–9 p.m.: Finish out the week strong by rocking out and celebrating the earth at the Earth Jam concert. There will be games, food, prizes, and live music of course!

–Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator 

FAFSA update and financial aid offers for 2024–2025

Functionality to make corrections or changes to the 2024–2025 FAFSA is expected to be broadly available to students this week. Common corrections include providing required signature(s) and/or consent to the IRS direct data exchange, updating your college grade level (P1 and P2 students should choose “Other undergraduate – junior year and beyond”) . Guidance on how to make changes to your FAFSA can be found here.

The Financial Aid Office is preparing 2024-2025 financial aid offers, and is prioritizing students enrolled in the summer semester (or P4 students), as well as prospective students. Undergraduate and P1, P2 or P3 students should complete the Summer Application for Financial Aid if they are interested in borrowing Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized student loans for the summer semester.

If you have not yet completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA and wish to be considered for need-based assistance or federal student loans in the summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025 semesters, please complete it at www.studentaid.gov as soon as possible.

Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

Beautiful Bulldog Contest April 21

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the 45th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest®, Presented by Ramsey Subaru. The contest will take place Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. Doors will open to fans at 1 p.m. to enjoy the Rescue Dog Festival and Kids Zone before the pageant begins. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a giveaway for the first 50 students to show up with their Drake ID.

The Beautiful Bulldog Contest® at Drake University is a unique trademarked event with an over 40-year history. The event kicks off a week-long Drake Relays celebration. Thirty English Bulldogs walk the pup-way to impress judges in hopes of being crowned the Most Beautiful Bulldog. The winner of the contest will reign as the Most Beautiful Bulldog for the 2024 week-long Drake Relays.

For questions, email beautifulbulldog@drake.edu.

— Courtney Conrad, Office of Alumni Relations