All posts by Gina Ryan

For Students Archive

Dinner with Dean of Students (commuter students only)

Join the Dean of Students, Hannah Clayborne, for a chance to have dinner and catch up on things that are happening at Drake University this semester. This is a great opportunity to make connections with fellow students along with the Dean of Students. Dinner will be provided for students who sign up in advance, but space is limited to 10 students. This dinner is for commuter students only. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

Questions about this event, please contact Gina Ryan at gina.ryan@drake.edu with questions.

— Gina Ryan, Dean of Students Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Putting “wellness” into the Nov. 3 Benefits & Wellness Fair

Are you looking for more mental health resources? Would you like to find ways to eat healthier and be more active, get your blood pressure checked, and hang out with Griff II?

This is all included in the “wellness” portion of this Friday’s Benefits & Wellness Fair.

  • Employee & Family Resources (EFR) will be on-hand to share their mental health resources. In addition to counseling, EFR offers financial and legal consulting, eldercare and childcare resources, and life coaching.
  • Samantha Matt, our on-campus dietitian, will answer your nutrition questions. She will also be facilitating a Gut Health BUILD class on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 2–3 p.m. in Olmsted CR 310/311. Take advantage of both opportunities.
  • Students from the Drake Athletic Training Club will offer free blood pressure checks. It is always good to know this number.  There will also be students from the Kinesiology capstone class on-hand to discuss the connection between physical activity and mental health, and how physical activity can help reduce your chances of getting a cold or the flu this season.
  • And, we will have staff from Recreational Services ready to share information on upcoming Group X classes, and much more.

Griff II will make an early appearance so don’t be late. The annual Benefits & Wellness Fair will be held this Friday, Nov. 3, from 9–11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall, in Old Main.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

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