On Monday, April 30, Jenna Gibson of the Korea Economic Institute of America will present a career talk for all students contemplating internationally related post-graduate opportunities. Gibson graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in international studies and journalism. Following graduation, she went on to a Fulbright fellowship in South Korea and a master’s program at Georgetown University before becoming the director of communications at the Korea Economic Institute. The talk will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Medbury Honors Lounge. Lunch will be provided through the financial support of the Principal Center for Global Citizenship. The event is free to attend. For questions, contact Mary McCarthy at mary.mccarthy@drake.edu.

— Mary McCarthy, Department of Political Science

The next “Meet My Religious Neighbor” open house will be held on Friday, April 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Temple B’nai Jeshurun, located at 5101 Grand Ave. in Des Moines.

This open house is a Friday night Shabbat (Sabbath) service at Des Moines’ Reform Jewish Temple, Temple B’nai Jeshurun.  The service lasts for approximately one hour, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Prior to that, there will be a wine and cheese reception as well as an orientation session for first-time visitors. Afterward, there is an opportunity to socialize and meet members of the congregation.

Please dress and behave in a respectful manner. Men and women may wear a kippah/yarmulke (provided by the Temple) if they would like. For more information, contact Tim Knepper at tim.knepper@drake.edu.

Meet My Religious Neighbor is a monthly open house series. Each open house allows the public the opportunity to tour a sacred space, learn how religion is practiced in it, and meet the congregation who worships there.

— Timothy Knepper, Professor of Philosophy

The Sprout Garden is proud to partner with Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation for a Global Youth Service Day project from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 22. Volunteers will plant the first vegetables of the season, enjoy tasty food, and receive a free Paul Morrison Service Week T-shirt. All are welcome to participate. View the Facebook event for more information.

— Lindsay Finnell, Junior

Students in the Drake University Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI) will host a one-day event that will showcase the breadth of research across several disciplines. Guest presenters include neighboring colleges and universities as well as metro area high school students.

The 15^th annual DUCURS event is free and open to the public between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday April 12. The event’s keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Stone, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Iowa. Other speakers include Provost Mattison who will give the welcome remarks and President Martin who will give remarks on STEM at Drake during the luncheon.

The day’s events will be held in the Olmsted Center and will begin with registration at 8 a.m. in the second floor lobby. The welcome address and keynote address will be in Sussman Theater; oral presentations and poster presentations will be on the third level of Olmsted Center.

The day will conclude with the presentation of awards for the best poster and best oral presentation in Parents Hall South. Everyone is welcome to attend. View the event agenda.

— John N. Gitua, College of Arts and Sciences

Drake Softball vs. Southern Illinois
Saturday, April 7, at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (doubleheader)
Sunday, April 8, at 11 a.m.
Buel Field

For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.

— Ryan Harris, Athletics

The Central Iowa Chapter of the Risk Management Association is holding a free lunch and learn event on Thursday, April 5, for those interested in a career in the financial industry.

Robert Messer, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer for American National Bank of Texas and chair of the Risk Management Association, is the featured speaker. He will discuss major shifts in our society and five essential skills for any organization or person that strives to prosper in the future.

The lunch and learn will take place in Parents Hall South of the Olmsted Center at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. The event is free to all students. Register today. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. Your registration includes both the presentation and lunch.

— Dianna Gray, College of Business & Public Administration

Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Kappa Alpha Theta are aiming to reflect diversity on food pantry shelves by hosting a “Food For All” food drive through April 6. Tabling is happening in the Olmsted Breezeway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The food drive aims to raise funds and collect food for the culturally diverse population in Des Moines. The drive will benefit the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s 13 food pantries and the people they serve throughout the Des Moines community.

— Brittany Freeman, Sophomore

The next documentary film in the Engaged Citizen Experience Documentary Film Series, “We Feed the World,” will be shown on Monday, April 9, at 6 p.m. in Sussman Theater. Professor Mary McCarthy will lead a post-film discussion. Pizza will be served. Read more information on the film.

— Art Sanders, Associate Provost 

The next film in the East Asian Film Series, “The Host,” airs tomorrow, April 4, at 6 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 106. In The Host (South Korea, 2006), a man must save his daughter from a deadly monster that was created through the illegal dumping of formaldehyde. This film is co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies Minor and the Korean Cultural Club. The post-film discussion will be led by Professor Deb DeLaet, Department of Political Science, and Professor Dina Smith, Department of English. For questions, contact Professor Mary McCarthy at mary.mccarthy@drake.edu.

— Mary McCarthy, Department of Political Science

April 5: German conversation hours

Practice your German Thursday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Drake Diner. The German conversation group is open to anyone interested in the German language and culture, regardless of language level. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to attend. For questions, email sarah.baldi@drake.edu.

April 6: New medical themed Spanish conversation hour

World Languages and Cultures is pleased to introduce a new Spanish language hour for people interested in medical and health words and phrases. This new themed hour is offered on Fridays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 202.

The medical conversation hour is designed for students, faculty, and staff who volunteer in health or medical settings, or work with populations who have health concerns, or are interested in adding depth to their language skills. Facilitated by a Spanish native speaker, conversations will be guided to topics related to health and well-being.

As with all Spanish conversation hours, all levels of Spanish speakers are welcome. The group supports all participants with an opportunity to practice Spanish and no long-term commitment is required to attend. For more information, contact Assistant Professor Inbal Mazar at Inbal.Mazar@drake.edu.