Cowles Library is proud to share our June monthly collections: materials written and shared by and about the LGBTQ+ community and featured fiction and nonfiction books commemorating Juneteenth.
Pride Month featured collection
Juneteenth featured collection
— Erin Menardi, Cowles Library
You are invited to a series of open forums with the final three candidates for the Associate Provost for Online Education position.
During these forums, each candidate will briefly present their vision for online programming and take questions from the campus community. Please join us via Teams at the any of the following times to ask your questions and get to know the finalists for this position.
Please use the following links to log in:
Dr. Jennifer Miller: 6/21, 1:00-2:00 pm
Dr. Mandara Savage: 6/23, 3:30-4:30 pm
Dr. Belle Cowden: 6/28, 3:30-4:30 pm
— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost
This group will focus on writing instruction, activities, assignments, and assessments for First-Year Seminar. Instructors who participate in this project will have a one-semester commitment that will include:
After the initial meeting(s) with the Director of Writing to develop a writing assignment or writing project, participants will receive a stipend of $500. After completing the requirements and attending the final meeting, participants will receive an additional $500.
If you are interested in participating, or if you have questions, please contact Megan Brown (megan.brown@drake.edu) by June 30.
— Megan Brown, Professor of English
If you have not lately, I’d encourage you to review Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan site. As a reminder, this is our strategic plan and lists out all of the objectives in each of the plan’s commitment areas. Please take time to explore how each of those objectives are embodied in many ways across our campus life. You can do so by clicking on the “+” in each objective area or the “Learn more” link to see more on student, faculty, and staff successes.
In addition, you’ll see more information on all the major initiatives the University has underway as well. This site is continuously updated and can be also found any time by going to the drake.edu home page, clicking on ‘Campus Links’ at the top and selecting “Strategic Plan”. Thanks for your review and engagement.
— Nate Reagen, President’s Office
The revitalization of Meredith Hall remains on track to be largely completed in August of 2023. For complete project information, visit drake.edu/build/meredithrevitalization2022-2023.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
Have you completed your annual physical since last December? Please remember that the premium discount physician form must be filled out annually to continue to receive the premium incentive.
If you are on Drake’s health plan, take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your annual exam. This form can be found on myDrake under the Employee Wellness section of Human Resources.
Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with their primary care physician (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2023 and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Nov. 30, 2023, will receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2024, which is a savings of approximately $30 per month.
If you have not yet scheduled your annual physical with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to guarantee you make the Nov. 30 deadline.
Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Join us in July for HealthyU BINGO. The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two), during the month, with healthy activities completed from a provided list and then play some games of HealthyU BINGO for prizes.
To get started, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Deadline to register is Friday, June 30. All participants will receive a packet that includes a list of HealthyU BINGO activities, and a blank BINGO card.
Please feel free to reach out with questions. This is a great event for the whole family!
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
There is still time to be a part of Drake’s team for the Des Moines Corporate Games. These games are a great way to have fun with colleagues, get a little activity, and represent Drake while doing so. All events are held after work and on weekends.
We need help filling these teams with upcoming deadlines. Please consider joining us.
Bowling (coed, women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is June 28. The coed team plays Tuesday, July 11, and the men’s and women’s teams play on Wednesday, July 12, at Bowlerama Lanes, beginning at 8 p.m. Five players per team. Plenty of openings on all teams.
4-Person Best Shot Golf (women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is July 5. Event held Sunday, July 16 at 8 a.m. at A.H. Blank Golf Course. This differs from the coed date, time, and location. Need two more men for the men’s team and four women for the women’s team.
Bags. Deadline to register is July 5. Event held Friday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenbelt Landing at Clive Aquatic Center. Need one more person for our second team.
Disc Golf (women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is July 12. Event held Sunday, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Ewing Park Disc Golf Course. Need two men and two women. Must provide own discs.
Tug of War. Deadline to register is July 12. Event held Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. (must be weighed in by 6 p.m.) at Raccoon River Park Beach. Plenty of openings.
In addition to the team events, there are several individual events coming up in July that you may be interested in, including a cycling tour ride, 4K and 8K cross country race, a duathlon and triathlon, and a 5K road race. If you are not into sports, they also have an opportunity for you to donate blood or package meals at Meals from the Heartland.
Signing up is easy—email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in participating in any (or many) of the events above.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Drake HR is pleased to announce that Suman Rose joined the HR team on June 5. We retooled the position vacated by Trevon Smith. Suman will be working as an Onboarding and Engagement Specialist.
Suman previously worked in the Drake Financial Aid Office as a Financial Aid Coordinator. She is very grateful for the knowledge and skills gained in the Financial Aid Office and is thankful for everyone on the Financial Aid team for their support in her transition to the new role in HR.
As our new HR Onboarding and Engagement Specialist, Suman will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition for new hires, facilitating their integration into our university community, and fostering a positive employee experience. Suman brings with her a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for making a positive impact on the lives of students, faculty, and staff. Suman is already demonstrating outstanding customer service, is a quick study, and has already become a vital member of the HR team.
We are thrilled to welcome Suman to the Drake HR family. We look forward to the valuable contributions she will make. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Suman as she joins our team.
— Drake HR Team
Drake Human Resources is receiving free consultations through a state-funded grant on developing age inclusive practices, particularly in recruitment. Age-Inclusive Management Strategies (AIMS) is funded by the state and spear-headed by Professor Brian Kaskie at the University of Iowa, College of Public Health.
As part of the AIMS consultation process, we learned about the option of taking the AARP Employer Pledge. The AARP Employer Pledge is a nationwide group of employers that have expressed allyship in standing with AARP in affirming the value of experienced workers and are committed to developing diverse organizations. By signing the pledge, we further commit Drake to offering equal employment opportunities for all workers, to recognize the value of experienced workers, to recruit across diverse age groups and consider all applicants on an equal basis, and to believe that workers aged 50+ should have a level playing field when applying and competing for jobs.
To show appreciation for Drake’s commitment to age-inclusivity, AARP offering discounted membership to both active and retired Drake employees. Right now, you can sign up for a two-year AARP membership at a discounted rate of only $20. This is an amazing deal—AARP offers its members a wide range of perks, including discounts on travel, restaurants, technology, and much more. A full list of membership benefits can be found here. You can use this AARP Membership Link to take advantage of this amazing perk.
— Maureen De Armond & Marli Jefferson, Human Resources