Join us May 3 at 6 p.m. for an exhilarating Acro yoga class, where you’ll defy gravity, build trust, and soar into a world of playful balance. Ready to relax before finals? Join us May 9 at 5:30 p.m. for a soothing session of Yoga Nidra and May 10 at 12:15 p.m. for NAMAStea– a relaxing yoga workshop followed by a cup of tea to soothe your nerves before finals week. Sign up using the Drake Rec App.
— Gail Witte, Recreational Services
We’re excited to share that Cowles Library, in collaboration with Access and Success, is introducing a Sensory Tools Collection. Crafted by Sarah Hulstein, an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student, this collection is curated to equip students with resources for sensory regulation, increased focus, and improved task completion that may be affected by sensory processing. Visit the Cowles Information Desk to explore the kits which include wobble cushions, fidget spinners, balance boards, noise-canceling headphones, and more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Cowles Library at cowleslibrary@drake.edu with any suggestions for additional tools or resources that could further support your needs. These resources are accessible to everyone, ready to be checked out and utilized within the library or in your own study spaces.
— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library
The annual Sapphire Awards ceremony was held on April 16. During this event, more than 30 people were recognized for having received either an individual or team Call to be True Blue Award this past academic year.
2024 Sapphire Awards
Two Sapphire Awards were also presented.
2024 Madelyn M. Levitt Awards
Congratulations also go out to the winners of this year’s Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards.
Congratulations to them all! We encourage everyone to take time to congratulate these amazing Drake faculty and staff, and to find ways to recognize others.
It’s never too early to start thinking about True Blue awards! These will start up again in August at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year. All Staff Council’s Recognition Committee invites everyone to fill out an online Called to be True Blue nomination form at that time, if they know of someone deserving of this honor.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Welcome Weekend this fall will feature a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice session. The program will take place on Thursday, Aug. 22. The session will feature a variety of speakers sharing about their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice journey with our incoming class in a short TED Talk style about 5–10 minutes long.
If you are interested in sharing your DEIJ story, we would love to hear from you! Selected speakers will receive a stipend. Please fill out this short application by Friday, June 10.
— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs
Drake employees will have the option to enroll in a Roth IRA, administered by TIAA effective June 1, 2024. The Roth contribution option will allow eligible employees to make after-tax contributions that offer the potential for tax-free income in retirement.
To learn more about the new Roth contribution option, please plan to attend one of two presentations provided by TIAA financial consultant Ricardo Diaz. Reservations are not required.
When: May 3 from 10:30 a.m. AND 1:30 p.m.
Where: Levitt Hall, Old Main
— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources
Join Drake’s Corporate Games team! This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 19 through July 31. With over two dozen events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.
Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball and golf, to a fitness walk and bags. They’ve even added ping pong this year. If sports aren’t your interest, put together a team and volunteer at Meals from the Heartland, donate blood, or try the annual Burst Your Thirst challenge. You may participate in as many events as you want.
All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.
One more bonus. Everyone who registers to be a part of Drake’s team will receive a Drake University quick dry sports shirt (while supplies last). Special thanks to TC&B-Authentic Brand, an Official Partner of Drake Athletics. Their financial support made the participant shirts for this year a reality. TC&B is a full-license vendor and can help with your next campus project. For more information please contact, Clark Fessler at clark@tcbcorp.com or 515-465-4693.
To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
All Staff Council is bringing back the highly anticipated staff and faculty kickball tournament on Tuesday, May 21, to celebrate the start of summer. Register your team or as a free agent today. Registration must be submitted by Monday, May 13.
Important Details
Spectators welcome and encouraged. Yard games and refreshments will be provided – we look forward to seeing you there.
— Courtney Conrad, On behalf of All Staff Council
You are invited to join us at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Monday, May 13, in the Schickler Courtside Club, adjacent to the Knapp Center, beginning at 4 p.m.
During this event, faculty and staff who celebrated (or will be celebrating) a milestone service anniversary or retirement between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, will be recognized on a rolling display at the event. There will be cupcakes, soft drinks, wine, beer, and light snacks.
Please take a moment to stop by, enjoy some treats, and congratulate your colleagues.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Human Resources created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage. Check out the list of resources available to you.
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, was established by the founder of Mental Health America to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions.
While stigma around mental health and treatment has decreased in recent years, there are still people who hesitate to take steps to address mental health challenges, seek care, and talk about mental health with friends, family, and even their medical providers. Did you know that one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year and on average, people live with symptoms of a mental illness for 10 years before seeking treatment, largely due to the stigma?
So, what can you do? How should you observe Mental Health Awareness Month?
Human Resources has created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage that includes a detailed list of resources to assist you. We will continue to expand this page throughout the month with any additional community events.
There are also several organizations that offer tools and resources to support others and be supported.
The Healthiest State Initiative’s Make It OK is a community campaign that encourages everyone to talk more openly about mental illness in hopes of de-stigmatizing it so individuals will feel more open to seek care. They are holding free Make It OK presentations throughout the month that start this conversation.
Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources. EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit. Drake partners with Employee & Family Resources (EFR) so Drake employees (and anyone living in their households) can have free easy access to these resources. There is something for everyone—including free confidential counseling, webinars, podcasts, a blog, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.
EFR also offers a benefit called Togetherall—an online support peer community where you can connect with others for support, keep a journal, set goals, take assessments, and learn how to adjust to life’s ups and downs with structured courses. Moderated by professionals, Togetherall is available 24/7 and free to use.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) both help raise awareness and combat stigma. This year NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with their “Take the Moment” campaign and MHA with their “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World” campaign.
Remember, it is OK to not be OK. Please reach out when you need help, be there for others who need an assist, and start the conversation.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Don’t forget to vote: All Staff Council elections close Friday, May 3, at midnight. Use the All Staff Council ballot to vote for your new committee members.
— All Staff Council Governance Committee