Calling all transfer students! The Transfer Student Organization is hosting a fun social on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. in Fisher-Stelter Hall (Johansen Student Center). Expect bingo, snacks, and lots of chances to connect with other transfer students. Whether you’re new or just looking to meet more people, this is the place to be!
— Marina Verlengia, New Student and Parent Programs
Philosophy. Politics. Law. Artificial intelligence in American elections is raising important questions about our society and civic life. Join three distinguished speakers at the Drake University Law School who will tackle AI’s real-life impact in past and future elections, followed by free refreshments. This event is free and open to the general public.
Speakers:
– Drake Philosophy Professor Jennifer McCrickerd, PhD
– Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas
– Nyemaster Goode, P.C. Attorney Robert L. Palmer
Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-in-elections-sease-award-speaker-panel-tickets-1981856234347.
— Anthony J. Zarzycki, Law School
On Sunday, Feb. 15, from 3–5 p.m., Drake University’s The Comparison Project, in conjunction with the “Iowa Interfaith Exchange,” will host “Roads to Religion” in the Olmsted Center (Parents Hall) on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, features dozens of local religious communities, collectively representing 10+ religious (and spiritual) traditions. These communities will be arranged throughout the hall as on a map of the metro. Visitors will receive a map to guide their exploration.
The event also includes musical and cultural performances by several of the participating communities. Food and drink will be provided by Drake’s catering service.
The Comparison Project engages in the practice of comparative philosophy of religion, increases understanding of local-lived religion, and cultivates interfaith literacy and leadership. It is supported by Drake’s Center for the Humanities, Drake’s Stringfellow and Hay Lectureships, Drake’s Slay Fund for Social Justice, Drake’s Principal Cener for Global Citizenship, Humanities Iowa, and Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation.
The ”Iowa Interfaith Exchange” includes Drake’s The Comparison Project along with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.
For more information, please visit: http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu, or email: comparisonproject@drake.edu.
— Timothy D Knepper, Professor of Philosophy/Comparison Project Director
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, February 20 by midnight. Elections will be held in the spring. Newly elected members will begin their three-year term on June 1, 2026. Learn more about All Staff Council here.
— Thad Smull, Office of Alumni Relations
All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2026 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, but welcome. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 2.
For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) provides faculty and staff learning opportunities throughout the academic year to enhance professional skills, improve wellbeing, and create conversation. BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.
The Spring 2026 schedule is available online and registration is open. Please take a moment to check out the classes on the Drake HR BUILD Offerings webpage, including detailed descriptions. There is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey that makes signing up easy.
This semester’s class list includes everything from designing routines for success and finding ways to fit physical activity into a busy lifestyle, to a mental health first aid for higher education class, and a presentation on the services offered by our employee assistance program. In addition to classes, take an architectural tour of Meredith Hall, go on a sustainability ‘walk and talk’, or join us for a full fledge tour of the Drake campus. And there’s more!
Most classes are only an hour in length, and many are facilitated by our own faculty and staff. This is a great way to invest in yourself, support your colleagues, and take in the culture that Drake has to offer.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
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, 2025, and Nov. 30, 2026, and submit a completed form by Dec. 1, 2026, will qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2027, which is a savings of over $30 per month. Don’t forget, this is an annual event, so make those appointments today.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
While we love our yearly kickball event kicking off the summer (pun intended), our interest has dwindled and we are in need of your feedback.
The All Staff Council Events and Community Service Committee has decided on two options:
Please fill out the survey found here to give us your opinion! The tournament will be taking place in May the week or so after graduation and will be held here on campus.
Thank you in advance for your input!
— All Staff Council Event and Community Service Committee
Join colleagues from across campus for a $5 lunch at Hubbell on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bulldog Connect Lunch takes place on the first Wednesday of every month, September through May.
— Tiffany Hach, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
We are excited to invite proposals for the Fall 2026 First-Year Seminars (FYS). As a cornerstone of our first-year experience, the FYS provides a structured, welcoming environment where students begin building academic confidence, habits, and sense of belonging that will carry them through their Drake journey. These seminars provide incoming students with transformative opportunities to connect with faculty, peers, and ideas in meaningful and developmentally supportive ways.
To propose an FYS for next fall, please complete the Qualtrics proposal form before Monday, February 2, 2026.
If you have any questions as you complete the proposal, contact Bret Sikkink (bret.sikkink@drake.edu) in the Center for Teaching & Learning.
— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education