The Bulldog Shop has adjusted its regular store hours. Please take note of the new hours below.
MON-FRI: 9AM – 5PM
SAT: 10AM- 4PM
SUN: CLOSED
Visit the Bulldog Shop in Olmsted Center and get all the best Drake gear, or shop online 24/7 at drake.ecampus.com.
We are excited to kick off a brand-new feature that spotlights the people and resources that make a difference in the lives of Drake students. Each week, we’ll shine a light on the outstanding individuals and initiatives that contribute to the success and growth of our community.
This Week’s Feature: The “Don’t Cancel Class” Program
Ever found yourself in a personal or professional travel dilemma, unable to conduct your scheduled class? We have the perfect solution – don’t cancel! Introducing the “Don’t Cancel Class” program, your one-stop solution to ensure your students continue to learn and engage, no matter where you are.
This week, we want to give a huge shoutout to the dedicated Drake staff members who have come together to support this program. They are ready and eager to step in, sharing their expertise on a wide variety of topics to ensure your class remains on track. Whether you need someone to host a discussion or facilitate a workshop, our team has you covered.
Key Benefits of the “Don’t Cancel Class” Program:
If you’re interested in utilizing this program or learning more about it, please check out the list of presenters, or click here to submit a request.
Is there a person or program you would like to recognize? Please email Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Student Success, to share your stories of success!
— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success
National Pronoun Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of respecting and using correct pronouns to create an inclusive and welcoming Drake for all. Making it a habit to share pronouns with one another when we gather allows us to create an environment in which we learn not to assume, based on someone’s appearance, gender, or how they want to be referred to in the third person (what pronouns they use). Whether or not any one of us might ourselves be worried we will be misgendered, sharing pronouns proactively regardless, is a meaningful practice for cultivating a community of inclusion and belonging.
Why Pronouns Matter
Pronouns are an essential part of a person’s identity. Using the correct pronouns for someone shows respect, validates their gender identity, and contributes to a more inclusive environment.
Imagine you met someone whose legal name was Robert but he went by Bob. Would you still call him Robert or would call him Bob?
Imagine if you had a friend who got married (or divorced) and they changed their last name. If they asked you to use their new last name—would you still use their old name?
The answers here are pretty obvious. Use this same logic for pronouns. If someone tells you they use certain pronouns—that’s what you should use. Misusing pronouns is not just disrespectful, it can be hurtful and undermine a person’s sense of self.
Using Pronouns Respectfully
1. Ask and Share Pronouns
Ask: When meeting someone new or at the beginning of a class or meeting, consider asking for and sharing your pronouns. For example, “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and my pronouns are [Your Pronouns]. May I ask what pronouns you use?”
Normalize: Make it a routine to include pronouns in your introductions and email signatures. This helps create an inclusive atmosphere.
2. Use Correct Pronouns
Once you know someone’s pronouns, make an effort to use them correctly. If you make a mistake, apologize briefly and move on. Dwelling on the mistake can make the person uncomfortable.
3. Respect Privacy
Keep in mind that not everyone may be comfortable sharing their pronouns. Respect their decision, and don’t pressure them.
4. Educate Yourself
Familiarize yourself with gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them” and be open to using them when appropriate.
5. Singular ‘They’
Use “they/them” when referring to someone whose pronouns you don’t know or when someone explicitly prefers these pronouns. This represents another step in the evolution of how we use pronouns. It used to be that “he/him/his” was the default—and you still see that in older laws and literature—the unidentified person was always presumed to be male. It was only a few decades ago, we saw a shift to be more inclusive by switching to: “he/she” and “his/her.” And now we are simply taking another step to be even more inclusive by adopting they/them.
Make Your Pronouns Known at Drake
Faculty, staff, and students may self-select a pronoun from the list provided on the Personal Information page in Self Service. If a pronoun is selected, it will be viewable by members of the University community in Starfish, Blackboard, Zoom, and class lists. Pronouns can be updated in Self Service at any time. The list of possible pronouns will be subject to periodic review. You can contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion to inquire about the review process or the Student Pronoun Policy.
You can also include your pronouns in your email signature block and you can also add them to your name display in Teams and Zoom meetings.
On Wednesday, October 18, we invite all students, faculty, and staff to stop by the Breezeway at Olmstead from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM to pick up a pronoun pin/sticker to show your support for gender diversity and inclusion and share your identity with others.
National Pronoun Day is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity by acknowledging and respecting everyone’s pronouns. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a more welcoming and respectful community where individuals of all gender identities feel valued and accepted. Remember that learning and growing in this area is an ongoing process, and your efforts to use correct pronouns make a positive impact.
— Terrance Pendleton, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion
The Drake Principal Center for Global Citizenship is excited to be providing funding for Drake students to attend regional and national conferences that focus on global or international topics.
Applications may be funded up to $500, depending on costs and the level of student participation. Priority may be given to applicants who have an active role in the conference (e.g. the applicant will be presenting a paper or serving as a discussant). Funds may be used to cover the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is open to all current undergraduate and graduate-level students enrolled in any Drake degree program and who are in good academic standing.
Applications for funding will only be accepted using the online form and should include the following. Applications that fail to address all of these items will not be considered.
*Virtual conference participation is also eligible for funding to cover the cost of registration.
Conference funding applications are considered on a rolling basis. We ask that applications be submitted at least thirty days prior to the scheduled start of the conference to allow sufficient time for review and response, and to ensure the student can make further or alternate funding arrangements if needed.
If you have any questions, please contact global@drake.edu.
— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement
Drake University is pleased to host the City of Des Moines Ward 1, City Council and Mayoral Town Hall forum presented by UBA of Central lowa and lowa Urban Media. This candidate forum will be held from 5–7 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 21 in Sussman Theater. It is open to the public.
Ryan Arnold, Director of Community Engagement
Hear from Sandy Marshall, AS’96, a distinguished Drake University alumnus, and current Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During a Q&A facilitated by Drake University’s Vice President of University Advancement, John Smith, AS’92, GR’00, Sandy will discuss his unique path from Drake University to writing, producing, and educating.
Join us on October 24th at 7:00 PM CT to delve into Sandy’s experiences – from his role as Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to his contributions at Chicago’s renowned comedy institution, The Second City. Sandy’s diverse background, including co-founding the acclaimed “REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids,” provides a unique perspective worth exploring.
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.
Join other staff members for a spooky and sweet Halloween chili lunch and dessert bakeoff.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 31
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Pomerantz Stage, Olmsted Center
Cost: $5 (includes chili, drink & desserts)
Sign up for the bake-off!
— Elissa Johnson, On behalf of All Staff Council
We invite students, faculty, and staff to register for the Drake Wellness Conference Oct. 25 from 3–6 p.m. in Olmsted Center. Register today.
We are committed to extending our services to our community to help ensure the best possible outcomes for your times spent at Drake, no matter your role.
We will be offering a variety of learning opportunities to better understand the dimensions of wellness and offering tools that are immediately actionable to help increase self-agency and now and through the future.
We will have the following wellness resources and sessions available:
Kayla Bell-Consolver, Broadlawns Drake Counseling Center
Attend a Sleep Hygiene Workshop Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room. This workshop is helpful for any student that experiences difficulties with sleep. The discussion will focus on strategies to combat sleep difficulties.
Kayla Bell-Consolver, Broadlawns Drake Counseling Center
Angela Gallagher has joined the Zimpleman College of Business to serve as its new director of Executive Education. A seasoned strategic advisor, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge as a result of a distinguished career that has included corporate and leadership communications, leading organizational culture transformations, team building and staff development initiatives. She was most recently manager of employee communications for John Deere. Through a range of leadership roles at John Deere over 22 years, Gallagher gained a deep global perspective and cross-cultural understanding of workplace dynamics. She is a Drake alum and currently an executive coach in the university’s executive education program.
“Angela is well suited to advance the core offerings of Drake’s Executive Education program and will thoughtfully expand our services to more C-suite executives, emerging leaders and other life-long learners who recognize that continuous learning leads to success,” said Alejandro Hernandez, the dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. “She is known for her ability to implement sustainable change, increase organizational impact, and empower teams to achieve business results.”
She achieved her coaching certification through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is a Women Unlimited LEAD graduate. She earned a master of business administration degree from Drake University and a bachelor of business administration from Iowa State University. Angela has also been active in a number of central Iowa non-profits serving as a strategic advisor with more than 25 years of proven results in board leadership, fundraising, and volunteer engagement.
— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, Zimpleman College of Business
