The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center is now open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4 p.m. Feel free to stop by during that time to check out its state-of-the-art, accessible building and exciting exhibits!
— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute
Don’t forget to get out and vote on November 7th! This link will tell you your polling location and give you a sample ballot. https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/.
— Chloe Lepak, sophomore, College of Arts & Sciences
The Events Management team strives to showcase Drake University as a top tier educational institution in all aspects – From special events to camps and conferences, and all matters in between. Their mission is to make sure all students, staff, and faculty feel supported in their creative pursuits. Outside of Drake, they hope to assist the Des Moines community in providing a premier event experience, enhancing the perception of Drake and its commitment to a greater social cause.
Housed in the Olmsted Student Center, Twenty-year team veteran and University Events Manager Matt Miller leads the way with Assistant Managers Betsy White and newcomer Dillon Beckmann. With the help of a 30+ student staff, the Event Management team’s impact reaches campus-wide assisting with all types of events.
2023 brought about the largest array of camps and conferences on Drake’s campus in years, including dozens of new clients. These opportunities as well as the upcoming political season open the door for the Events Management team to showcase Drake’s premium facilities on a local and national scale.
With two thirds of its team having Drake University roots, and participating on the All Staff Council, it’s obvious that they are fully committed to Drake’s success. That commitment can be seen everyday through the successful execution of a budget meeting or an ever-complex International Professional Development Conference.
For their positive attitudes and endless commitment to our campus-wide success, please join the Drake University – ASC Recognition Committee in giving the Events Management team a resounding Bulldog Applause!
— Amber Welsh, On Behalf of All Staff Council
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
