Thank you to the Drake community for showing your support for the Live Mascot Program during our recent fundraising campaign. Over $11,000 was raised by the community and alumni Doug, BN’75, and Peggy, BN’76, GR’96, Person contributed an additional $10,000 in matching funds. This outpouring of generosity supports the program and its continued work to be a welcome and inclusive presence on campus and expand the program’s work as an ambassador to prospective students and the greater Des Moines community.   

And now for the fun: President Marty Martin issued a challenge that Griff would be named honorary President for a day if the fundraising goal was met by Oct. 17. That goal was surpassed and today (Tuesday, Oct. 21) is the day! Head over to Griff’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see how Griff is spending his day as the honorary University President.

— Alicia Chilton, University Communications & Marketing

Mark your calendars for Drake University’s annual International Education Week (IE Week)! This year’s IE Week will be held Nov. 18–22 and will celebrate all the ways Drake is global. Events are being coordinated for faculty, staff, and students, and a highlight will be visitors from our international partner universities.

If your department or unit is interested in offering an international event during IE Week, please email studyabroad@drake.edu so that your event can be included in promotional materials.  Watch for a full events listing on the University Calendar.

— Annique Kiel, Executive Director, Global Engagement and International Programs

Drake is once again proud to be a part of the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The marathon starts at 8 a.m. in the Court Avenue District. Mile 11 of the race will bring participants down 25th Street in front of Drake Public Safety, Drake International, and University Communications and Marketing. Runners will proceed across Forest Avenue and turn on Clark Street to enter into Drake Stadium and run on the Blue Oval. In Mile 12, runners will leave the stadium onto 27th Street and turn left onto Forest Avenue before heading back down 25th Street to Kingman Boulevard. See the course map.

As a result of the race, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:
— 25th Street from University Avenue to Clark Street
— Clark Street from 25th Street to 29th Street
— 27th Street from Clark Street to Forest Avenue 

Those on campus during race day should expect road closures and traffic delays. Visit the Des Moines Marathon website for more information.

— Scott Law, Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

Drake will switch from cooling to heating season over the next couple of weeks based on outside temperatures. We understand that earlier last week some rooms seemed a bit warm so we wanted to provide some explanation as the seasons change. During this “in between” time air conditioning is not operable when the outside temperature falls below 60 degrees. Instead, the system brings in the cooler outside air as needed.  However, sometimes the humidity level is so high that the outside air does not produce the level of comfort that we would like.

We monitor the forecast closely during these times and adjust switchover dates according to the temps forecasted.  The switch over process takes our department about a week to drain the loops and switch systems from one mode to the other. We start with the residence halls first because these buildings are occupied 24/7.  Once the switch occurs, there is no changing back until the next season (in mid-April).

Thanks for your patience in the next week or so when air conditioning will not be available and we prepare to switch from cooling to heat. During that time, if a room is not comfortable, please let us know so our staff can see if adjustments can be made.

— Brett Lovelady, HVAC Foreman, Facility Planning and Management

What is Next Course Food Recovery: Next Course is a chapter of the national Food Recovery Network, an organization created by college students in 2011 to combat food waste in their campus dining halls. Drake University’s chapter has a partnership with Sodexo staff as well as five nonprofit organizations in the Des Moines area: Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Children and Family Urban Movement, Hawthorn Hill, Hope Ministries, and YMCA Supportive Housing. Each year hundreds of pounds of food are recovered. Check out our website for more information. Follow us on social media @nextcoursefrn.

Next Course Recovery Training Event: On Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. in TMR132, Next Course will host a training session about food recoveries here at Drake. Not only will those in attendance be able to understand the recovery process, but they will also learn more about food waste and the importance of conducting recoveries.

For questions, contact Ashly Frazier at ashly.frazier@drake.edu. 

— Ashly Frazier, College of Arts and Sciences

Looking for a great work-out over lunch? Come play recreational basketball on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Bell center at noon. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome. If you’re looking to have fun and get a good work-out, then this is for you. Sign-up here for the email list or just simply show up.

— Lisa Murphy, Director, Recreational Services