Pick-up volleyball games are played every Thursday at noon in the back of the Bell center gym. This is for all students, faculty, and staff. It’s a great way to get some exercise, have fun, and meet new people. You can also subscribe to the mailing list to see who’s playing in advance.
Nate Reagen, Office of the President
This semester the Leadership Concentration is working with Above + Beyond Cancer. Cancer affects people from all walks of life, including college age people. About 4% of all cancer diagnoses are in people aged 20 to 39, according to the American Cancer Society. The LEAD class, along with Above + Beyond Cancer, is working to promote awareness of cancer and the effect that it has on college students. They are doing this through the use of prayer flags. Prayer flags come from the Tibetan culture and are used to carry loved ones’ prayers with the wind. To help showcase this, LEAD will be hanging flags around campus on Nov. 26. If anyone wishes to create a flag, LEAD will be tabling in Helmick Commons and the Olmsted Breezeway Nov. 5 through Nov. 9 from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. If there are any questions, please contact Kathryn Gaito at kathryn.gaito@drake.edu.
Over the holiday break (Dec. 17), we are planning to update the payment processing system used to deposit funds into Bulldog Bucks accounts. This will not change the deposit site (https://drake-sp.blackboard.com/eaccounts/) or anything relating to the Bulldog Bucks account functions. The main change will be the appearance of the payment screens. Please note that any saved payment methods will need to be re-entered and saved with your initial deposit in the new system.
As a reminder, Bulldog Bucks are an optional account on a Drake Card, and can be used for on campus food, laundry, printing, or bookstore purchases. Bulldog Bucks DO carry over from semester to semester, and are cleared after graduation. Guests (parents, friends, etc.) are welcome to give the gift of Bulldog Bucks at any time by clicking “Make a Guest Deposit” at the sign in page – all you’ll need is a Bulldog’s email address to add funds to their account.
If you have any questions or concerns about this update, feel free to email sara.heijerman@drake.edu at the Student Services Center.
Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center
The Bulldog Swim Challenge begins Nov. 5 and ends Nov. 30. Challenge yourself and your friends to sign up and record your swim mileage for the month of November. The top swimmer of the month will receive a prize. Email drakeaquatics@drake.edu to register.
Bulldog Bootcamp sign-up is now open for students. Bootcamp will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Jan. 29 to March 7. Email wellness@drake.edu to register.
Drake Wellness
GroupX Schedule 2 begins on Oct. 29 and goes until Dec. 7. There will be new classes and new instructors. Come and join us with fun fitness classes. Remember, attending 15 classes will get you a free shirt, and every additional 5 classes you attend will get you one entry into the end of the year raffle prizes.
Drake Wellness
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 25th Street and Carpenter on the west side of 25th Street. This will help direct pedestrians across 25th 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.