Thousands of K-8 students will join The Ray Center and Drake Women’s Basketball Team on December 16 for a morning full of fun, character education, and basketball! The Ray Center is looking for volunteers from approximately 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to help thousands of students on and off buses, find their assigned seats, carry in coolers with sack lunches, assist teachers, help with concessions, etc. If you are interested in volunteering for this fun event, please email Megan at Megan.Wesselink@drake.edu with your name and t-shirt size. Please RSVP by the end of the day on Thursday, November 7, to receive a free game day t-shirt. Go Bulldogs!

—Megan Wesselink, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

SPARC Speed Dating Event

November 7, 2024

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Howard Hall 212

No, this isn’t a singles event.  The SPARC Speed Dating event is a fun, networking event where faculty bring their project ideas to share, learn what others are doing, and possibly identify “matches” or collaborators for your projects.  The attendees will spend 5 minutes with each other discussing project ideas as they move throughout the room.  SPARC staff will also be on hand to discuss identifying funding matches and answer questions.   Refreshments will be available.  RSVP by noon on November 6 to lori.byrd@drake.edu.

—Lori Byrd, Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance

At Crew, we want to celebrate all of the incredible mentors who have been part of our journey since our program began in 2013. Your guidance and support have made a lasting impact on our scholars, and now it’s time to show our gratitude!

If you’ve been a mentor or are currently one, we’d love to celebrate with you! Join us at the Medbury Honors Lounge on October 28th, between 9-11 am for a casual, come-and-go breakfast! Enjoy bagels, donuts, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate-and grab some fun Crew swag as well.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued participation and dedication.

We hope to see you there!

—Jazlin Coley-Smith, Provost’s Office

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Joyful Accountability will be recognized at the next Provost’s Social, Monday, Oct. 21, in Schickler Club (formerly Shiver’s Courtside Club) beginning at 4 p.m.

To nominate a colleague, please use the Qualtrics form. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display at the event.

How do we define Joyful Accountability at Drake? We look for colleagues who are curious, creative, bold, and brave, and who strive each day to be their best!

When you nominate colleagues, be prepared to describe how each colleague meets these descriptions. From among those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes.

Refreshments will include an assortment of beverages and light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner!

—Madison Bemus, Provost’s Office

Join panelists Eric Manley (Computer Science), Sean Rogers (Athletic Training), and Eduardo García-Villada (World Languages and Cultures) as they talk about how generative AI is changing their classrooms.

• Friday, October 25 from noon to 1pm
• Howard Hall Room 212
• Let us know if you plan to be there by clicking I’m Interested on the campus calendar

—Bret Sikkink, Drake Curriculum and First-Year Seminar

Get ready for some spooktacular fun! On Tuesday, October 29th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, offices in Old Main will open their doors to the children of Drake faculty and staff for trick-or-treating. Participating offices will have treats to share. We can’t wait to see all the creative Halloween costumes this year!

—Madison Bemus, Provost’s Office

Reminder: As you saw from President Martin’s email, please complete this year’s Survey of Administrative Services by October 22 if you have not already. It is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete. You will only be asked to provide feedback on the areas you work with regularly. We’re off to a great start with 173 responses so far with a goal of 350+. Thank you for your input!

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is partnering with Broadlawns Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy to offer flu vaccinations on Monday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. in Harvey Ingham, Room 107, for Drake University faculty, staff, and students.

The flu vaccinations are available through a scheduled appointment (strongly preferred), or on a walk-up basis. Walk-up vaccinations will require additional time on the day of vaccination for completion of paperwork. Signing up at least two days in advance is highly encouraged.

Sign up for a flu vaccination appointment at: https://tinyurl.com/DrakeFlu2024

IMPORTANT:

• Prescription insurance is required for this flu vaccination clinic.
• You must bring your ID and prescription insurance card to your appointment. (We are unable to accept cash/credit card payments for services at this clinic).
• Wear a shirt to your appointment that will allow access to your upper arm.
• COVID vaccines will not be available at this clinic, only flu vaccinations.

— Jamie Pitlick, CPHS

The search for the next Executive Director of Human Resources is going well, with several highly qualified candidates submitting application materials. The search committee consisting of Scott Law (chair), executive director of Public Safety and Operational Services; Alejandro Hernandez, dean of Zimpleman College of Business; Kevin Saunders, director of Institutional Research and Academic Assessment; and Heather Travis, controller, have identified a group of eight semi-finalists. After virtual semi-finalist interviews a group of finalists will be identified for on-campus interviews. The on-campus interview process is likely to take place in late October and will include a wide array of campus constituencies. Thank you to the search committee and to Tricia McKinney for supporting the committee’s work and ensuring a smooth experience for our valued candidates.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer