If you visited service.drake.edu/its or clicked on the IT Support link in myDrake, you may have noticed a new look. We’ve made some changes to the layout to make answers easier to find. In addition to submitting online requests for assistance, be sure to browse the tech resources and instructions available in our knowledge base. Never used our site? Learn more at Using the IT Service Portal (How-to).

We’re also launching a new feature allowing you to interact online with ITS staff to resolve technical issues. With your consent, ITS staff will be able to remotely access your computer to diagnose and resolve issues. All interactions will be logged as part of the request and no ITS staff member will ever access a computer without permission. In order to easily facilitate this new support option, ITS pushed out software to all Drake-owned computers on Wednesday, Jan. 29. As a result, you may see a new icon in your menu bar or software area for BeyondTrust, the remote support tool we’re using.

Learn about how remote support will work at Using Remote Support with ITS (How-to)

By switching to remote support, ITS is hopeful that we will be able to improve response and resolution times. Remote support will become the primary initial method of assistance and in-person support will only be provided if remote access cannot resolve the issue.

— Carla Herling, ITS

Registration for the Grand Blue Mile opens on Tuesday, Feb. 11, with just two days of flash sale pricing. For only $10, adults and youths can sign-up and receive a Grand Blue Mile 2020 race shirt, professional timing, and results and the opportunity to run the same course as the elite field. Head over to GrandBlueMile.com to take advantage of this unheard of price point. Mark your calendar and spread the word.

— Tanner Nissen, Assistant Director, Relays Event Production

The Drake University Career Fair will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Olmsted Center. Meet with organizations and professional programs who are interested in recruiting Drake students. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume.

 Career Fair Times:
3–3:30 p.m. – Open to only seniors and O3 students
3:30–6 p.m. – Open to all students

Professional attire required:
No jeans or sweatpants. A suit is recommended. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers/dress pants/skirt and a button down shirt, blouse or sweater.

Need resume assistance? Come to the Drop-in Resume Critiques in upper Olmsted on Feb. 6 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

— Chrystal Stanley, Professional & Career Development Services

Single sign-on (SSO) for Blackboard was implemented on Dec. 19. You now sign in using the standard Drake login page rather than the Blackboard login screen.

SSO is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications with one set of credentials and a single login instance. Once a user logs in once, they gain access to different Drake applications, without the need to re-enter login credentials for each application.

Example: You log into myDrake first thing in the morning to check your email. While reading your email, you see that you need to check your Blackboard courses for upcoming assignments. Since you already logged into myDrake from checking your email, you can access Blackboard without being prompted to re-enter your Drake credentials.

Learn more about SSO and the additional systems Drake ITS is working on integrating with it by reading Single Sign On (SSO) and Drake applications (FAQ).

— Carla Herling, ITS

On Monday, Jan. 20, you can honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at events across central Iowa — Make it a day ON, not a day off.

7th Annual MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast
7:30 a.m., The Knapp Center, hosted by John R. Grubb YMCA
This community event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and promotes his message for peace and justice and recognizes the winners of the 2020 Make a Difference Awards. Proceeds benefit the John R. Grubb Community YMCA’s annual campaign, giving local families access to the Y through financial assistance and supports enrichment programs like Starfish Academy, a summer literacy camp. Listen to keynote speakers, a gospel choir, and more. Purchase a ticket.

Undesign the Redline Exhibit
10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m., Franklin Jr. High
Stop in for a tour of this Polk County Housing Trust Fund exhibit at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m. on MLK Jr. Day. This exhibit provides background on federal policies started in the 1930s which neighborhoods were worthy of investment specifically due to the race, ethnicity, and class of residents. These policies had a profoundly negative social and economic impact on those living in “undesirable” neighborhoods, especially African American residents, that persist to this day. The exhibit takes place at Franklin Jr. High.

MLK Day of Service at Bidwell Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including helping clients check in for clothing and bread, stocking food pantry shelves, hanging and sorting donations, and cleaning and sanitizing day care rooms. Sign up on the United Way of Central Iowa’s website.

Urban Dreams MLK Day of Service
9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Urban Dreams (601 Forest Ave.)
The day of service will help the organization with thanking supporters, enhancing programming, deep cleaning the office so clients have a nice place for services, and other tasks needed. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service at Community Youth Concepts
10 a.m.–12 p.m. at CYC (1446 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.)
Community Youth Concepts will host service projects from 10 a.m. to noon at CYC. All are invited to participate! There will be a variety of service projects for people of all ages including: making cards for Please Pass the Love, assembling reading packets and making bookmarks for Everybody Wins! Iowa, making seed bombs and bird feeders thanks to Des Moines Parks and Recreation, and making CYC and Stowe Heights magnets to give out at the Annual Spotlight of Service Event. Come you when can, leave when you need to. Learn more.

MLK Jr. Day Packaging event at Meals From the Heartland
Volunteer for a 90-minute shift to package meals for the hungry here in Iowa and around the world. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service Blood Drive
LifeServe will host a blood drive in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at both LifeServe locations. Donors will receive a free gift. Visit lifeservebloodcenter.org to book your appointment.

MLK Day Celebration at the Forest Avenue Library
4–5 p.m. at Forest Avenue Library
Join the Forest Avenue Library and the DSM community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and remember the principles and beliefs for which he fought. The event will feature keynote speaker Dwana Bradley, recognition of student art and creative writing entries, and a hands-on art experience for youth with artist Jill Wells. All six DMPL locations will be closed in recognition of the holiday. Forest Ave. Library will only be open during the program. Learn more.

Volunteer Fair
5–7 p.m. at the Urbandale Public Library
Learn about volunteer opportunities and organizations to volunteer within Urbandale. In addition, those with library fines can donate a new personal care item or nonperishable food item to have fines removed.

Free admission at Science Center of Iowa
SCI invites the community to visit, explore programs and exhibits, and bring learning to life with free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day thanks to support from Principal Financial Group.

Free ice skating at Brenton Skating Rink
8–9 a.m. at Brenton Skating Rink
Free ice skating with donations of warm clothing, such as: Hats, gloves, mittens, and socks. All donations will be distributed to area shelters. Learn more.

Sing Ebenezer! Songs and Stories from Martin Luther King’s Neighborhood
7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, Bldg. #6 Auditorium on the DMACC Ankeny Campus, A free-will offering will be taken
The show is an original program created by the Thresholds Music Projects, Inc.  It features two close friends of the King family.  Dr. Albert Brinson was an assistant minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Dr. King and his father before Dr. King was killed. The other is operatic soprano Sherry Dukes, who was encouraged in her singing by the Rev. King, Sr. and went on to sing with the Houston Grand Opera. They will be joined by Broadway and film performer Roosevelt André Credit and world renowned opera star Simon Estes. Learn more.

People are also encouraged to reflect upon our complex history and how we might best honor Dr. King’s legacy. Iowa Campus Compact shares these resources to explore:

• Reclaim MLK: Beyond Sanitized Narratives, Truthout (the #ReclaimMLK hashtag on Twitter is another place to look.)
• The King Philosophy, The King Center
• Ibram X. Kendi: Remember Dr. King’s Nightmare This MLK Day, History News Network
• Do’s and Don’ts of Celebrating MLK Day, Teaching Tolerance
• Segregation in America, Equal Justice Initiative
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Vision for Education, The Atlantic
• Liberation Curriculum, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research & Education Institute at Stanford University

Please contact Amanda Martin, Assistant Director for Community Engaged Learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu or 515-271-2767 for more information.