Join The Harkin Institute for a free webinar featuring the results from a qualitative study with Iowa SHIIP counselors, who provide retirees with advice about Medicare enrollment. The Harkin Institute partnered with the Iowa SHIIP-SMP program and AARP for this project, focused on understanding the main challenges faced by retirees in navigating the Medicare enrollment process. The SHIP program provides unbiased advice about Medicare options to retirees through in-person counseling, including telephone, virtual, and face-to-face appointments. It is a particularly important source of information for those who face technological, physical, or language barriers. We sought to understand barriers for vulnerable groups, such as dual-eligible, low-income, and limited English proficiency retirees, in addition to the overall counselor experience with the program. This research is part of a larger research project focused on the financial impact of health insurance on retirees.

Date: October 30, 2024

Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. CT

Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event)

Cost: Free

Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees. American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.

Register here! 

—Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute

The Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance (SPARC) office has developed a new podcast entitled SPARC’ing a Conversation. This grants-based podcast allows you to hear from your colleagues across the campus as they discuss their research topics and grant interests.

In our first episode, we host Jerrid Kruse and Lindsay Woodward from the School of Education. They join us to discuss their recently awarded National Science Foundation grant and their experience with grant work.

Listen to the podcast here!

If you are interested in sharing your grant work on our podcast, reach out to Preston Miller, preston.miller@drake.edu.

—Preston Miller, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is partnering up with The Seven Times production company to bring “The Negro Artist” to campus and we hope to see you there!

Registration required.

See below for more information on the film:

The documentary follows the story of Caleb Rainey, a spoken word poet with artistic roots in eastern Iowa. His poetry and community service efforts are bolstering the arts across the state of Iowa and the greater Midwest.

Amidst the often-overlooked spaces of the Midwest, lives a Black voice that demands to be heard. This documentary is a journey into the world of Rainey, a Black spoken word poet whose poetry is a profound exploration of race, identity, and the lived realities of systemic inequality.

Nik Heftman’s documentary seeks to capture the essence of Rainey not just as an artist, but as a vital voice in the ongoing dialogue about race in America. His work challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and inspires us to envision a more equitable future.

—Jazlin Coley, Provost’s Office

Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) Grounds and Support staff have completed an assessment of campus trees.  With the additional expertise of Mindy Charron, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with Perficut Companies, a detailed visual inspection of the trees and surrounding conditions identified several trees with health concerns or hazardous safety issues that are a priority for pruning or removal this winter.  Pruning will improve the aesthetics, safety, and overall health of the tree’s canopy.  Tree removals are necessary due to structural problems, disease or insect infestation, storm damage, or health condition of the tree and the proximity to walkways or buildings for the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.  The trees and their locations are identified below:

Tree Common Name	Location	Work
White Oak tree	Crawford Hall	Removal – dead tree
Linden tree	Herriot Fire Land	Removal – dead tree
White Oak tree	Lot 13 – Ray Promenade	Removal – dead tree
White Oak tree	Jewett/Painted Street	Removal – dead tree
Honey Locust tree	SW of Hubbell	Removal – dead tree

The pruning and tree removals will be scheduled over the next couple months.  Signage and detours around work areas will be in place during these operations.  FPM will be planting trees on campus this spring to continue improving the aesthetics of the campus and increase tree canopy.  An Arbor Day event is being planned for April, stay tuned to OnCampus for more information.

—Patrick Williams, Facilities Planning and Management

It’s been your time to shine as a cybersecurity superhero as we’ve observed Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM) this October! Have you taken the 2025 quiz yet?

Every superhero needs to keep their gear in top shape to fight off villains. The same goes for your devices (computers, phones, tablets)—keeping your operating system (OS) and applications updated gives you the latest tools to fend off cyberattacks. 

Did you know about these security risks of outdated software?

• Vulnerabilities Are a Weakness in Your Armor: Running outdated software is like having cracks in your armor that villains (hackers) can exploit.
• A Hero’s Tale of Warning: You may recall hearing about these news stories from recent years, which are all notable cybersecurity breaches resulting from delayed software updates: Marriott International data breach (2018), Equifax data breach (2017), “WannaCry” ransomware attack (2017), Target data breach (2013). There are many more similar examples, and scary stories aren’t limited to the spooky season.

Why are updates so important?

• New Gadgets and Upgraded Powers: Updates patch those cracks in your defenses. Sometimes they also give you new tools or improved performance, just like a hero upgrading their gear.

How can you make updates easier to apply?

• First, enable automatic updates to keep your systems battle-ready without having to think about it.
• Second, make sure to check all your devices for updates—don’t leave any hero gear behind!

Stay powered up and don’t give the bad guys a chance! Make sure your gear is always up to date.

When facing tech troubles, don’t hesitate to visit our Tech Hero Hub (aka the ITS Support Center)—your team of tech heroes is here to help you defeat any digital villains that come your way!

Finally, don’t miss your chance to take the CSAM quiz and see how well you can defend your digital world!

—Becky Klein, ITS

As part of Drake University’s ongoing effort to preserve older homes in the neighborhood and encourage growth in the single-family home market, Drake University is working with a contractor to relocate the Wesley House. Upon completion of the house move this fall to a nearby lot, the existing parcel will be cleaned and left as a green space for now.

—Heather Winslow, Facilities Planning & Management

Nov. 8 is National First Generation Student Day. Drake defines a first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, First-generation students make up 29% of Drake’s new student population. This includes 26.2% of new EFR students — an all-time high for Drake.

The Office of New Student and Family Programs, Drake First Gen Bulldogs Student Organization and college/school academic offices are partnering to celebrate Drake first generation students, staff, and faculty.

Here are some ways you can get involved in the celebration:

Monday November 4th:

• Zimpleman College of Business – Stop by to sign our sign in the Aliber entryway and share the people who have supported you in your college journey.
• Olmsted Center Breezeway 3-6pm: Snacks, button making and scavenger hunt activity. 

Tuesday, November 5th: 

• Zimpleman College of Business – Donut holes and fruit in the Aliber entryway from 9 – 10am. 
• First-Gen students walk to the polls – Meet in the Olmsted Breezeway at 5:00pm to walk together to the Drake voting location. Off campus students are still welcome to join even if this isn’t their voting location!  

Wednesday, November 6th:

• Zimpleman College of Business – Snacks and selfie station in the Wright Room in Aliber Hall from 1-3 pm. Griff II will visit from 1 – 2pm.
• First-Gen Bulldogs & Unity Round table Collaboration with Broadlawns Counseling Center 5:00pm Olmsted Center 312. We will have a mental health discussion as a group then making a poster and jar with positive affirmations. 

Thursday, November 7th:

• School of Education – Games available near the front desk reception on the first floor of Collier-Scripps Hall. There will be prizes for those who participate in the games and goody bags for First Gen students who stop by the desk.

National First Gen Day- Friday, November 8th: 

• School of Education – Games available near the front desk reception on the first floor of Collier-Scripps Hall. There will be prizes for those who participate in the games and goody bags for First Gen students who stop by the desk.
• College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Donuts with the Dean in the Cline Hall Lobby from 10-11am
• Arts & Sciences Student Support Team in Olmsted – Friday November 8th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Write advice and inspirational notes for future First Gen students on our poster board. We also are here to listen to stories of success, to take note of areas in which we can provide additional support, and to answer questions. It is not too late for candy, swag – or questions about registration!!
• First-Gen Org Tabling in Breezeway 12-4pm – A showcase of famous first-gens and Drake Faculty/Staff will be displayed. Completed scavenger hunts can be turned in to receive a prize. 
• First Gen Faculty/Staff – We would like to offer to provide a First Gen Bulldog sign to hang outside your office door to let students know you are first gen if you are willing to put it up. If you are interested in a sign, please email marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

This collection celebrates the journeys of first-generation college students through memoirs, biographies, and works by first-generation authors. Discover stories of resilience, ambition, and the courage to forge new paths in higher education. Reach out to Cowles Library for additional resources to support your own journey.

—Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence and Student Success

The Drake University Fall Marketing Management Capstone class has partnered with the Dogtown entertainment district, located within the Drake Neighborhood. Our objective is to cultivate and promote Dogtown as a vibrant, thriving, and safe entertainment destination, and we are seeking your help to achieve this goal! 

This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and will close on Friday, November 8th at 11:59 pm. 

Participation is voluntary and responses are anonymous. Survey data will be used by 12 Drake University Marketing Management students, their executive sponsor, Associate Professor Heidi Mannetter, and Drake’s Chief of Staff, Nate Reagen. Upon the completion of the fall ‘24 academic semester, responses may be stored in an archive for future research, but personal data will not be collected or shared.  

Once again, we truly appreciate your time in helping us create a stronger Dogtown community for everyone.  

As a reminder, this survey will close on Friday, November 8th at 11:59 pm, so we urge you to fill it out as soon as possible.  

Thank you in advance for your participation! 

Fall ‘24 Marketing Management Capstone Class 

—Heidi Mannetter, Zimpleman College of Business

Join us as we celebrate the incredible career of Josie Poppen, a treasured member of the Drake Theatre Arts Department and the theatre community at-large who has inspired countless students over the years!

After 37 years of teaching, Josie is laying down her shears and stepping into a well-deserved retirement. Let’s come together to honor her incredible contributions and share stories, laughter, and raise a glass! Please feel free to invite alumni, friends, family and anyone who wishes to celebrate!

—Jacob Lemons, College of Arts & Sciences

As we move into November, Cowles Library is excited to showcase a variety of collections that celebrate important themes and milestones. Join us in honoring the rich cultural heritage reflected in our displays this month.

Iowa’s Great Outdoors
Discover Iowa’s diverse landscapes, history, and architectural wonders through materials that delve into the state’s parks, trails, and historic sites. You’ll be inspired to explore both the natural and man-made beauty of Iowa. The display also includes bike and state maps to help you plan your next adventure and uncover the hidden gems of our state.
Native American Heritage Month
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Cowles Library is featuring a collection that spotlights the voices and stories of Native American authors. This selection includes both fiction and nonfiction by Indigenous writers, spanning traditional stories, contemporary narratives, and historical accounts.
Breaking Barriers: The Evolution of Women’s Sports
Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s basketball at Drake with a display honoring the legacy of Title IX and its impact on women’s athletics. This collection features nonfiction books that explore the history, challenges, and triumphs of women in sports. Discover the stories of athletes, advocates, and milestones that have shaped the future of women’s athletics.

We invite everyone to visit Cowles Library this month to engage with these displays and celebrate the diverse narratives they represent!

—Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library