Associate Professor of Athletic Training, Nathan Newman, EdD, ATC, is conducting a study on the impact of low-level laser therapy on lower extremity injuries. Low-level laser therapy is an experimental treatment that may decrease pain and inflammation in common musculoskeletal injuries. Faculty and staff members that have recently suffered a lower extremity injury, or suffer one in the near future, please contact Professor Newman at nathan.newman@drake.edu about participating in the study. Compensation will be provided to participants who complete the entire study.

Nathan Newman, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Faculty and staff who exemplify All in This Together, our third Drake Core Value, will be recognized at the Provost’s Social on Feb. 13 from 4–6 p.m. in Shivers Hospitality Suite. Please come to enjoy this social time with colleagues and to recognize those who exemplify collaboration and teamwork. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be served, along with popcorn and snack mix.

Watch a short video to hear what faculty and staff say it means to be All in this Together.

If you’d like to submit a colleague’s name for recognition, email drinda.williams@drake.edu, by Friday, Feb. 8. In the email, include the name of the person you are nominating and a sentence or two telling how your colleague exemplifies All in This Together. All those nominated will be included in a scrolling presentation, and three winners will be drawn at random to select from a menu of prizes.

View a list of colleagues who were recognized at past socials for demonstrating Joyful Accountability and Generosity of Spirit.

All Drake University faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets to the Women’s Basketball game versus Missouri State on Friday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. in the Knapp Center. Tickets may be picked up at the Knapp Center Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

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

Ryan Harris, Drake Athletics

The Office of Community Engaged Learning and Service will support up to six faculty who want to attend the Midwest Campus Compact conference. Support covers conference registration ($300), transportation (van carpool from Des Moines) and two-night stay at University of Minnesota residence hall (or you may book a room at the conference hotel using your own funds, cost is $160/night).

Whether you are new to community-engaged learning and scholarship and curious about learning the basics of community-campus partnerships, or you are a seasoned engaged scholar who is seeking innovative approaches and discussion of important issues, this conference will provide you with the opportunity to learn, explore, connect, leave prepared for bold and thoughtful action. 

Faculty interested in this opportunity should contact Renee Sedlacek, director of Community Engaged Learning, by March 1 at renee.sedlacek@drake.edu. Preference will be given to faculty who submit a conference proposal for consideration. Proposals are due Feb. 8. Visit https://midwest.compact.org/ for more information.

Amanda Martin, Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning

Are you teaching a spring, May, or summer course with a global service-learning component? Olson Global Service-Learning Match Grants are awarded to global service-learning projects with faculty/staff support where funds or in-kind donations have been appropriated or raised but where additional funds would be beneficial. Apply here.

Requirements include:

• Funds or in-kind donations of at least $500 must have already been raised
• Projects must have a strong global service-learning emphasis
• Student applicants must have demonstrated faculty/staff support
• The grant is not able to reimburse individual mileage or personal costs.

Amanda Martin, Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning

The new Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Development Calendar can be found within the University’s events calendar at calendar.drake.edu/facstaff-development.

Please visit the calendar to see development opportunities for faculty and staff. The calendar is the first step in developing a virtual Center for Teaching Excellence. More information about that Center will be forthcoming soon.

Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Success

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, then Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution.

Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. Weight Watchers unique mix of face-to-face interactions with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace have helped faculty and staff be successful in their weight loss goals.

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 paying participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments.

If you are interested in joining a Weight Watchers at Work series during the spring term, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist

The Provost’s February Drake Social will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 4–6 p.m. in Shivers Hospitality Suite. During the social, faculty and staff who exemplify All in This Together, our third Drake Core Value, will be recognized. If you’d like to submit a colleagues name for recognition, email drinda.williams@drake.edu. In the email, include the name of the person you are nominating and a sentence or two telling how they exemplify “All in This Together.” All those who have been nominated will be included in a scrolling presentation, and three winners will be drawn at random to select from a menu of prizes.

All in This Together: We embrace robust communication and transparency. We thrive through collaboration and teamwork.

Please come to enjoy this social time with colleagues and to recognize those who exemplify collaboration and teamwork. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be served, along with popcorn and snack mix.

Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

Diana Reed, beloved faculty member, passed away on Jan. 9 in Des Moines. Diana taught organizational behavior, organizational theory, and business management in the College of Business and Public Administration since 1981, where she also served terms as assistant and associate dean.  She retired from Drake only two weeks ago due to deteriorating health.

Diana was known across campus and throughout the community for her dedication and commitment to service and engagement, evidenced by her leadership in Rotary and in receiving the Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award, among many other recognitions.  She was a true scholar educator.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, in West Des Moines, on Thursday, Jan. 17, with a visitation from 4–7 p.m., and a service of remembrance following at 7 p.m. Condolences and Diana’s full obituary can be found here.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 29, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Distinguished Community Service Award
Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

• A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service.
• An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation.
• Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others.”
• The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Employee Excellence Award
The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

• Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
• Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
• Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
• Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University 
• The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu. The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. 

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2019 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 9 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources