The following message was sent to campus March 8 by Provost Mattison.

It is with my sincere sympathy that I share the death of Dr. Oleg Zatsarinny, research scholar in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and beloved colleague to all those who knew him. 

Oleg came to Drake in 2003 as a senior research scientist. He taught a number of courses at Drake, but particularly noteworthy is his development of a computational physics course. His list of professional achievements is long and nothing short of impressive. To name just a few, he was a world-renowned researcher, principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on NSF grants totaling over $1,000,000, and published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals. 

Oleg’s obituary can be found here. Please join me in extending heartfelt condolences to Oleg’s family, friends, and colleagues in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

— Sue Mattison, Provost

The annual All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge is about more than just giving donations. It’s about giving recognition and celebrating our Drake community. This year, we want to acknowledge all we’ve faced together and elevate the moments of triumph, perseverance, kindness, transformation, and strength that you’ve seen in other Bulldogs through a video project. If you have someone you’d like to recognize, please sign up here to record a 15–20 second video message. (The process is easy and can be done from wherever. The All In team will provide instructions once you sign up.)

Here are some examples to get you thinking of moments you can recognize:

• Classmate, I’m so inspired by how much you’ve done for the neighborhood by volunteering. It’s great to be in a community with such passionate people who want to make a difference.
• Professor, you opened my mind to a career I never thought possible. Thank you for believing in me.
• Friend, we celebrated when you nabbed that internship and then we celebrated again when the company offered you a job after graduation.
• Friend, when I faced a family challenge, you helped me get through the fall semester. I wouldn’t have stayed on track to graduate without you.
• Teammate, when we went all remote last spring, your daily texts and posts kept me feeling connected and hopeful. Thank you for always being there to talk, I’m so happy to be playing together again.
• Colleague, we saw a lot of changes and challenges this year. Your grace through it all has been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for always going the extra mile.

These video messages will be shared with the Drake audience on social media during the All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge (April 8–9). The deadline to submit a video is March 23.

Thank you for helping us recognize the Bulldogs who have risen to meet the moment. We look forward to celebrating with our community during All In. (RSVP to All In to stay up-to-date).

Please reach out to Alicia Chilton, assistant director of marketing, alicia.chilton@drake.edu, with any questions.

— The All In Team

An officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead of Griff II was released by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

There are approximately 2,000 individually numbered bobbleheads for sale for $25 each with flat-rate shipping charges of $8 per order online. The bobbleheads are available for purchase at the museum’s online store as well as a select number at the University Bookstore.

Grab your blazer and have your professional headshot taken by University Communications and Marketing for free. Portrait Day is open to students, faculty, and staff.  An email with a link to download your photo will be sent to you within two weeks.

When: Friday, March 5, 12:30–2 p.m.
Where: Cartwright Hall (Law School), 2nd floor atrium

Masks and social distancing will be enforced.

— Annie Spadt, University Communications & Marketing

In an effort to create impactful discussions on campus that will prevent and address sexual assaults, the Violence Prevention Office has found an incredible resource.

Sexual Citizens: Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus, looks to develop a deeper more nuanced understanding of college sexual experiences and college sexual assault. The book is based on years of research interviewing and observing college life―with students of different races, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors of Sexual Citizens present an entirely new framework that emphasizes sexual assault’s social roots―transcending current debates about gender, consent, predators in a “hunting ground,” and the dangers of hooking up.

If you are interested in getting a free copy of the book or participating in a discussion group, contact lynne.cornelius@drake.edu, violence prevention coordinator.

The authors of Sexual Citizens, Jennifer Hirsch and Shamus Kahn, will be speaking virtually with the Drake University and Simpson College communities on Wednesday, March 17, at 1 p.m. Register.

— Lynne Cornelius, Violence Prevention Coordinator

The Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and J-Term 2022 schedule of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration for all three terms begins Monday, April 5.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, April 19, those reservations will be removed. Note that some courses have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, you must file your changes at your dean’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29. Requests submitted after this date may not be accommodated until Wednesday, April 21.

For specific questions, including how to change your field of study, please contact your dean’s office.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar

Drake University has switched merchandise vendors from Competitive Edge to Image Solutions. Effective today, Image Solutions will be the University’s only vendor for purchasing University name tags. Competitive Edge users will automatically receive Image Solutions sign-in credentials and instructions.

Promotional items such as Drake branded pens, pencils, and pennants are not yet available through Image Solutions. University Communications and Marketing hopes to partner with Image Solutions and other vendors to make these items available in the future. In the interim, if you need promotional items, please contact Sara Sommerlot at sara.sommerlot@drake.edu.

Woolverton Manufacturing remains Drake’s preferred vendor for paper goods, such as letterhead, envelopes, and business cards. Please continue using Woolverton to purchase customized paper products.

For questions, please contact Sara Sommerlot at sara.sommerlot@drake.edu or at extension 2169.

— Sara Sommerlot, University Communications & Marketing