All posts by Mady Nachtman

Campus Announcements Archive

Tune in to Everclass with Adam Davis, JO’06, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. via Zoom

Hear from Adam Davis, JO’06, as he takes us on a journey through the world of cinema, creativity, and storytelling. Adam Davis, JO’06, is a Writer/Director and an accomplished alumnus of Drake University. Armed with a diverse creative palette honed by years of working at Marvel Studios, Writer/Director Adam Davis has created numerous short and feature film projects.

Join us on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. to dive into Adam’s experiences—from his day job as a Franchise & Marketing Senior Manager at Marvel Studios to his many credits including films nominated at international film festivals.

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.

— Mady Nachtman, Alumni Relations

Campus Announcements Archive

Barbershop Talk Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Drake Room, Olmsted Center

We invite you to a unique opportunity for Black men to come together in a safe and welcoming environment facilitated by Drake students Tre’ Montague and David Duncan. Drinks and snacks will be provided. “Barbershop Talk” is a space where you can relax, engage in meaningful conversations, and connect with others who share your experiences.

Our next meeting is November 3, 2023, in the Drake Room, Olmsted Center, from 4:30–5:30 p.m.

— Terrance Pendleton, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion

Campus Announcements Archive

David Rose, guest violist, gives recital and masterclass

Please join us Friday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium for an evening of unaccompanied viola music with guest artist, David Rose. Admission is free.

Professor Rose will perform works by W.A. Mozart, Chen Yi, Dobrinka Tabakova, and J.S. Bach.

He has served as Associate Principal of the Vancouver Symphony, Principal Viola of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and Acting Assistant Principal of the San Francisco Symphony. He is currently the principal violist of the G27 chamber orchestra in Toronto. Also active as a baroque performer, he was a member of the Pacific Baroque orchestra, and has toured and recorded with Toronto’s Tafelmusik. He is Associate Professor of Viola and Head of Strings at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

— Maureen Yuen, Assistant Professor of Music

For Students Archive

Slices with Shriver: Join Sussman Lecture speaker for conversation and pizza

Students are invited to join Tim Shriver for conversation and pizza ahead of the Fall 2023 Sussman Lecture, “Dignity: The Foundation of a New Patriotism.” Shriver is the Chairman of Special Olympics International and co-founder of UNITE, an initiative to promote national unity and solidarity across differences. Students can come to The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, for a chance to chat with him, ask him questions, and get a slice of pizza. No RSVP required.

— Kathryn Kuckelman, The Harkin Institute

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Upgrade your computer to Windows 11

ITS is pleased to announce that faculty and staff are eligible to upgrade their computers to Windows 11. To start the process, simply enter a Software Request ticket through our service portal. A campus tech will reach out to you to assist with the upgrade. 

We encourage everyone to upgrade as soon as it’s convenient; this allows you to upgrade on your timeframe and avoid a forced upgrade at a later date. 

If you have questions, contact us by submitting a ticket though the service portal (service.drake.edu/its) or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001. 

— Jerome Hilscher, ITS

For Students Archive

Five tips to get your academic goals back on track

Finding yourself behind?  Wanting to figure out how to catch up?  Here are five tips to get you back on track.

1.  Let it Go – Ask yourself: Is it essential I catch up on all of the reading? Will I still earn points for this assignment if I turn it in late?  Can I cram everything in before the next exam?  If the answer is no, maybe you need to move on and let things go.

2.  Use Your Resources – Advising Specialists, Faculty Mentors, Access & Success (Academic Coaching), Professors

3.  Work From a Growth Mindset – change your thinking from “have to” to “get to.”

4.  Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference – Talk to your professors. Study every class every day; studying for 15 minutes everyday adds almost two hours of study time a week.  Prioritize keeping up. Rest before an exam to give your brain a break

5.  YOU Have the Power to Make Things Happen! – Remember your “why” and own it!  It’s up to you!

— Michelle Laughlin, Director of Access & Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Share ideas and concerns with Access to Success Nov. 1 during office hours

How Can I Help?

If you are wondering how to offer support for your students or are wanting assistance providing accommodations, let’s chat.

Join me on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in the Olmsted Starbucks between 1–3 p.m.  I would love to discuss your concerns and offer guidance on how to navigate the rest of the semester.

— Michelle Laughlin, Director of Access & Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

In memoriam: Claudia Murphy, beloved Head Start staff member

It is with a very heavy heart that I share that Claudia Murphy, former Drake University Head Start staff member, passed away on Oct. 15.  Please see below for her obituary.

For those that were not fortunate enough to know or work with Claudia, she was with the Drake University Head Start for more than 30 years—since January of 1990.  Claudia retired in February 2023.

Claudia was instrumental in establishing our agency’s governance structure, coordinating and facilitating many variations of that structure,  supporting thousands of parents and families, recruiting and coordinating with numerous community members as well as University Leadership. Claudia was fiercely committed to the belief that parents and families are their child’s first and most important teacher, and she lived that out through the work she did every day.  Her drive and passion to support and engage families was infectious.

Claudia also led the agency’s work in recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers and helping to generate non-federal share. Connecting our program to individuals and organizations throughout central Iowa, bringing them into the program, generating donations to support the work staff do, and showcasing the program for the past 30 years.

She also helped to bring the Living History Farms, Science Center and Zoo events to our families every year – rain or shine, snow storms and all.

Claudia had a one-of-a-kind ability to engage and uplift parents and families. Her kindness and integrity are unmatched. You simply could not be in Claudia’s presence and not feel safe, supported and empowered.  When you were with Claudia, you knew you mattered!

What Claudia has contributed to Drake University Head Start and the communities we serve is truly remarkable and immeasurable. When I look at the high quality, supportive, innovative and impactful program that Drake University Head Start is today, I see Claudia’s influence throughout. She was passionate about Head Start. Claudia truly embodied everything that is our core values, and she will be missed beyond measure.

Read Claudia’s full obituary here.

— Lisa Proctor, Director of Drake University Head Start/Early Head Start

Strategic Updates Archive

2023 United Way of Central Iowa Campaign

The 2023 United Way of Central Iowa campaign at Drake will be held next week, Nov. 6–10. Our goal is to achieve 35% participation from full-time faculty and staff. Every dollar donated stays within central Iowa, generating a thriving community by providing essential funding for hundreds of local social service nonprofits. Please watch for President Martin’s Monday, Nov. 6, kick-off email and subsequent communications from United Way of Central Iowa.

— Ryan Arnold, Director of Community Engagement