Cowles Library underwent major renovation to the main floor this summer. Please see below for a before and after layout of the main floor enhancements that took place.

Manny Toribio, Facilities Planning and Management

MidAmerican Energy has scheduled their work related to the overhead power line removal and light pole replacement on the south side of Forest Avenue. The commencement date is Oct. 29 (weather permitting) and we expect the work to take approximately four weeks.

Weitz will provide ‘Sidewalk Closed’ signage to designate the closure as shown on the attached plan. If the weather cooperates and the work goes as planned the sidewalk will reopen Nov. 23. Weitz is also adding a sidewalk closure sign at 25^th Street and Carpenter on the west side of 25^th Street. This will help direct pedestrians across 25^th Street prior to getting to the site.

Michelle Huggins, Facilities Planning and Management

Please save the date for Patsy Johnson’s retirement reception on Oct. 29, from 2–4 p.m. in the Dial Center large conference room. Patsy is retiring Oct. 31 after nearly 33 years of passionate service to Drake, most recently as Information Security Specialist. Join us to wish Patsy well.

Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Help us celebrate our next 50! Sign up now for the Drake Road Races 5K, 10K, or half marathon, which will be held Saturday, April 20, to make your mark finishing on the historic Blue Oval in Drake Stadium. Your Drake Road Races registration includes a commemorative long sleeve tech shirt and a special 51st Anniversary medal awarded to each finisher. Also included with your race registration is free entry to the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Distance Carnival on Thursday, April 25. Be part of history and register today to receive your one-day 50% discount and you can be one of the first Relays finishers of 2019.

Dan Hostager, Assistant Drake Relays Director

On Oct. 11, President Martin shared—with great sadness—the passing of Amanda Wilken, a student at Drake University. Amanda was in her fourth year of Pharmacy and was also working on a Master of Business Administration degree.

Amanda’s visitation and funeral service is scheduled for this week. The visitation is Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 5–8 p.m. at Hamilton’s, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. The funeral service is Thursday, Oct.18, at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Amanda started at Drake in the fall of 2013 as a Pre-Pharmacy major. She was a 2016 graduate of the Adams Leadership Academy and was committed to being a model servant leader. In addition to her academic pursuits, Amanda was involved in a number of co-curricular organizations, to include the Alpha Phi sorority, the National Association of Women MBAs, and the American Public Health Association.

Please continue to keep Amanda’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

In recognition of National Tailgate Weekend, the University Book Store will hold a four day sale Oct. 18–21. The sale will take place in store and online on Oct. 18–20 and online only on Oct. 21.

The Book Store is located in the Olmsted Center and open from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Visit the store for more details or go to www.drake.bkst.com.

Katie Wilz, University Book Store

Drake University is once again proud to be a part of the IMT Des Moines Marathon, which will occur on Sunday, Oct. 21.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon benefiting Children’s Cancer Connection runs through quaint neighborhoods, city parks and streets, and offers a loop around the famed blue oval track at Drake University. Register now.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon starts at 8:00 am on Sunday, October 21 in the Court Avenue District, 300 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Mile 11 of the race will bring the participants down 25th street in front of Drake Public Safety, Drake International and University Communications & Marketing. Runners will proceed across Forest Ave. 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 on to Forest Ave.back down to 25th street and then follow 25th street to Kingman Boulevard.

As a result of the race course, no parking will be allowed on 25th street from University Ave to Clark Street and no parking along Clark street or 27th from Clark to Forest Ave.  Anyone travelling in the area should expect road closures and delays. Please refer to the Course map & Course description if you have questions.

Scott Law, Public Safety

There will still be a few GroupX classes happening during fall break. Make sure to look at the Group Fitness calendar on the Drake Rec app, IMLeagues website, or on any of our social media pages. There will still be POUND at 4:45 p.m. today. The regular class schedule will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Drake Wellness

Women’s Basketball season is starting and our Drake Divas program is back. Drake Divas is a group for women of all ages in the Des Moines area led by Drake Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jennie Baranczyk. A Drake Diva is a strong woman who is confident, comfortable in her own skin, and inspires others to feel the same way.

Each month, members will have access to morning networking and meetings centered around Leadership, Integrity, Motivation, and other personal and professional development topics. These meetings will be led by esteemed women in the Des Moines business community. Monthly meetings will be taking place on Wednesday mornings this year.

Please email Sarah Hoffman at sarah.hoffman@drake.edu for more information and to get registered.

Sarah Hoffman, Athletics

Drake will hold fire drills on Oct. 17, 18, 19, and 22 in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act and in conjunction with National Fire Prevention month. All drills will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. with the exception of the residence halls, which will be conducted from 6–9 p.m. on Oct. 22.

We have planned this to minimize disruption to classes, and the majority of academic buildings will be completed the week of fall break. This also allows us to have a more efficient utilization of our staff for these drills. The residence halls will be done from 6–9 p.m. to increase participation in the residence hall evacuation.

Fire alarms will be activated in all campus buildings to signal the start of the drill. When the alarm sounds:

• Evacuate the building.
• Buildings will be locked down and cannot be re-entered until the drill ends.
• Remember to dress accordingly.

The fire drills will be coordinated through the Office of Public Safety (271-2222) working with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (271-3804) and Facilities Services (271-3955). Please report any fire alarm malfunctions or evacuation problems to Facilities or Public Safety. Your cooperation in this very important campus safety exercise regarding the Drake Emergency Response Plan is appreciated. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Fire drill schedule:
Oct. 17
Meredith
Aliber
Cowles
Opperman
Cartwright
Harmon Fine Arts Center
Howard
Carnegie
Medbury
Collier-Scripps

Oct. 18
Olin
Science Connector Building
Harvey-Ingham
Cline
Fitch
STAH
Occupational Therapy
3206 University Ave.

Oct. 19
Olmsted Center
Hubbell
Student Health
Alumni House
ROTC
Bell Center
Knapp Center
Fieldhouse
Tennis Center

Oct. 22
Cole
Old Main
Public Safety
University Communications
Kinne Center
Multi-use resource (old Ray Center)
Vote Smart
Legal Clinic
Dial Center
All residence halls (6–9 p.m.)

Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety