Last fall, Drake’s Office of Alumni Relations created Back to Class, featuring speakers from Drake’s campus in a virtual setting. Bulldogs and friends are invited to join from wherever they are to learn about unique topics, hear from voices on campus, and connect with the Drake community. 

Recently the program featured the Drake Community Press and Carol Spaulding–Kruse, professor of English and director of the Drake Community Press, and Dr. Richard Deming, medical director of MercyOne Cancer Center in Des Moines and founder of Above + Beyond Cancer. Please take time to view the session.

You can also view all past Back to Class recordings. If you would like to present at a future Back to Class virtual event, contact Andy Verlengia at andrew.verlengia@drake.edu.

— Andy Verlengia, Office of Alumni Relations

Drake has begun a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner Self Service. Beginning May 22, the look and feel, as well as some functionality, will begin changing throughout the system in phases.  

Here are the major changes scheduled to take place May 22: 

• New temporary application in the Commonly Used Apps section- My Information.
• New header on any pages that will remain in the old MyDUSIS pages.  NOTE: MyDUSIS will remain accessible from myDrake throughout the upgrade, but links within MyDUSIS will be phased out and changed as applicable.
• Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required for faculty and staff to view or change their information. For help with Duo, see the Duo guides in the IT service portal. 

My Information will go to a new screen (example shown below) with Personal Information and shows your current information and allows you to add, update, or delete email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contact information. Additionally, from the menu, you’ll see some tasks that can be completed in the upgraded system, while others will direct you to the current system.  

In addition to its temporary addition to Commonly Used apps, My Information will also be in the Human Resources section for employees, and the My Drake Profile section for students. For students, the My Information link will replace the My Contact Info, My Directory Profile, and My Addresses links. 

More changes will be coming as we work through the phases of this project. We will keep you up to date and let you know when new features will be released.  

— Kris Brewster, ITS  

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Adams Leadership Awards! This year’s award recognition ceremony (the Adams Leadership Convocation) was cancelled, but the recognition of Drake University student leadership has continued online with over 150+ submissions from faculty, staff, and students. Please see below and congratulate the following student, staff, and organization winners:

• Outstanding First Years: Ruwayda Egal, Brian Orellana
• Outstanding Sophomores: Kiley Kahler, Connor Oetzmann
• Outstanding Juniors: Madyson Sklar, Morgan Coleman, Liza Vinyon
• Outstanding Seniors: Molly McCord, Rachel Wente
• David Maxwell Outstanding Student Organization President/Chairperson: Kandeija Bagurusi (NPHC)
• Outstanding Student Organization Officer: Anush Jain (Sigma Phi Epsilon) and Jacob Lish (Drake Environmental Action League)
• Outstanding Student Organization: Drake University Hillel
• Outstanding Organization Advisor: Kim Jones (Student Alumni Association)
• Outstanding Service Award for Individual: Paige Penningroth
• Outstanding Service Award for Student Group: Student Alumni Association
• Ron & Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service Learning Award: Haley Pertzborn
• Outstanding Residence Hall Leader: Tyler Butler
• Wanda E. Everage Peer Mentor Award: Molly McCord
• Outstanding Social Program: SAA Communications Campaign
• Outstanding Equity and Inclusion Program: Dear White People (Coalition of Black Students)
• Outstanding Collaboration Award: Halloween Hoops: Drive-Thru COVID style (Student Alumni Association, Drake Law School Public Service Scholars)
• Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year Award: Kathleen McCracken

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

Congratulations to the following students recently elected to serve and represent their peers in the 35th session of Drake University Student Senate:

• Student Body President: Morgan Coleman
• Vice President of Student Life: Connor Oetzmann
• Vice President of Student Organizations: Joseph Owens
• Vice President of Student Activities: Maddie Haun
• Treasurer: Hunter Hildebrand
• Senator at Large: Brian Orellana
• Senator at Large: Amber Guzzo
• Senator at Large: Anthony (Charlie) Adame
• Senator at Large: Rhent Addis
• Senator at Large: Sa’Davieon (Davey) Blanton-Newell
• Senator at Large: Nicholas Trout
• Equity and Inclusion: Avasar Sheth
• Equity and Inclusion: Ruwayda Egal
• SJMC Senator: Madeleine Leigh
• SOE Senator: Kennedy Ihrig
• A&S Senator: Abigail Whittemore
• CBPA Senator: Mercedes Hendricks
• CPHS Senator: Olivia Wersinger

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

Cowles Library will close at 6 p.m. Friday, May 14, and remain closed until 9 a.m. Monday, May 24.

Summer hours begin Monday, May 24:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Midnight Hall (after-hours) will not be available during the summer.

— Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Drake University has updated its Transportation Policy, University Driver Approval & Vehicle Use Policy and Student Domestic Travel Policy in an ongoing effort to provide the University community with a framework for ensuring safe and efficient travel while also protecting the University community along with its resources and equipment.  All interested members of the Drake community are encouraged to review and comment on these policy revisions by June 11, 2021.

— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Title IX Coordinator

The votes are in. Cowles Library after-hours has a new name, and it’s Midnight Hall! Thanks to all who voted.

Midnight Hall will be open 24/7 from Friday, May 7, through Thursday, May 13, to accommodate students studying during finals week. The library will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 14.

— Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Finals week hours:
Underground Fitness will be closed Thursday and Friday during finals week. The Bell Center will close at 5 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday and Sunday. All rec facilities will be closed Saturday, May 15, through Sunday, May 23.

Summer hours begin May 24:

Underground Fitness: Closed

Bell Center hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

— Emily Madsen, Rec Services

Drake has begun a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner 9 Self Service. Beginning May 22, the look and feel, as well as some functionality, will begin changing throughout the system. This project will roll out in several phases, some functions and screens will be in the new version while others remain in the current one.  

The first change will be the temporary addition of a new app on the Commonly Used Apps section of myDrake. My Information will take you to an updated screen that’s a central location for your personal information. It will permanently be located in the Human Resources section for employees and the My Drake Profile section for students. See a sneak peek of the new screen below.  

MyDUSIS will remain accessible in myDrake through the upgrade, but links will be phased out and changed as we convert to Banner Self-Service. In addition, we will be changing the header on the pages that remain in the old version so that you’re aware of their eventual transition. 

Future improvements will include updates to timesheets and leave reports, grade entry and course registration. As additional phases of the project progress, we’ll share more information with you. 

— Kris Brewster, ITS

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to the fifth annual Raise the Purse fundraiser to benefit Drake student-athletes. The event is a unique celebration of women, connection, and of course purses.

This year’s event is virtual. A silent auction will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, and close at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 14. It is free to access. The silent auction will include gently used designer handbags and purses, as well as some sport-specific gear provided by various Drake Athletic teams.

A live webinar featuring Suzie Glazer Burt and Allison Pohlman, Drake’s new women’s basketball head coach, will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 12. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at godrakebulldogs.com/raisethepurse. All proceeds directly benefit Drake University student-athletes through the Bulldog Club.

Find more information. Thank you for your support!

— Shannon Saunders, Athletics