When we think of a healthy person we often envision someone in great physical shape, but how we think and process emotions is just as important as how often we exercise and how healthy we eat. Becoming more mindful can improve emotional intelligence, reduce stress, and help manage change. But how do we learn these skills?

Koru is an introduction to mindfulness and meditation.  It teaches you skills you can use to manage your stress, focus your mind, and gain perspective on challenges you may be facing. Using traditional tools from breathing techniques to guided imagery, you will learn how to let go of the thoughts and worries that can overcome your ability to be present.

Join Christine Urish, Professor, Occuptional Therapy, for a four-part series which will meet Wednesdays from 2–3:15 p.m. on Sept. 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the Occupational Therapy building. You must attend all four sessions. Class size limited to 12 people.  Contact Linda Feiden for registration information.

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The first Provost’s Drake Social this year will be Friday, Aug. 16, in Cowles Library Reading Room, at 4 pm.

The Provost would like to make this year’s Socials easier to attend for faculty and staff who have young children and who have childcare responsibilities right after work. This year, you can pick up your kids from daycare or school, and bring them along to the Social. Children will get “white tickets” for soda, and are welcome to enjoy the light snacks.

The first Social this year will be directly following the Drake Learning Symposium.

–Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Human Resources regularly reviews best practices in the wellness field and aligns Drake’s wellness program with research-supported trends. Recent research calls into question the traditional model of using annual biometric screenings as a driver of wellness outcomes. Instead, some health plans are focusing on annual check-ups with primary care physicians in an effort to promote early detection and treatment. There is also a growing trend toward more holistic wellness programming, focusing on an individualized approach to wellness.

These trends, along with changes in the regulations governing wellness programs, are prompting a review of Drake’s wellness program. While the program is under review, employees are not required to complete a biometric screening in 2019 to qualify for a medical premium wellness discount in 2020. All participants enrolled in Drake’s medical plan will receive the wellness premium discount in 2020.

Here is what to expect as we prepare for open enrollment in the fall of 2019:

• In 2019, the on-campus Unity Point biometric screenings and the Hy-Vee in-store screenings will not be offered.
• Voluntary on-campus biometric screenings will be available for those who find the screenings helpful in tracking health and wellness. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will perform this service.
• You are encouraged to complete a screening with your Primary Care Provider (PCP), following his or her guidance about the health care practices best supporting your wellness. Although encouraged, a physician screening is not a requirement to qualify for the medical insurance 2020 discount.
• Watch for additional information as the University Benefits Committee works closely with Human Resources to make decisions regarding future wellness programming.

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources

When shopping for Drake, whether it be office supplies or printing, you will need to bring your Drake issued P-Card for payment. Due to business processes, they can no longer charge Drake departmental accounts.

Contact caron.findlay@drake.edu if you have questions.

–Caron Findlay, Finance and Administration 

If you have not already done so, please remember to put all of your airline frequent flyer account numbers into your profile so you will accrue your personal miles. This is not something Short’s can do for you as they cannot edit your profile, and we want to be sure you receive this benefit.

Please contact Caron.findlay@drake.edu if you have questions.

–Caron Findlay, Finance and Administration

Bring your Bulldog family to Drake Family Day for an afternoon of fun. Drake alumni, staff, faculty and their families are invited to a family outing at Greenwood Park. Enjoy donuts, popsicles, games, and activities with new and familiar faces of the Drake community. The event is FREE to attend.

Event Details

When: Sunday, Aug. 4, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Park, Open-Air Shelter, 4500 Grand Ave., Des Moines

Contact Keesha Ward, assistant director of Alumni Relations, with any questions at keesha.ward@drake.edu, 515-271-1947

–Alicia Chilton, University Communications and Marketing

Do you enjoy baking? Is your pie the star attraction at family dinners? We are looking for as many pie-loving cooks as possible to enter this summer’s pie baking contest. This event will be part of the state fair-themed faculty and staff picnic on Tuesday, July 23 from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Hubbell Dining Hall.

Contest Rules:

• The dessert pie must be made from scratch and entered in the name of the faculty or staff member who made it.
• One or two pie entries-per-person are allowed.
• Pies may have single or double crusts. Lace/lattice and crumb toppings may also be used.
• No pies allowed that require refrigeration (i.e. dairy or cream pies).
• Bring the pie in a disposable 8”, 9”, or 10” pie plate/pan with a cover.
• All pies must be brought to Hubbell Dining Hall (main cafeteria entrance) between 11:30 a.m.–noon on Tuesday, July 23.
• A copy of the pie recipe, with the list of ingredients must be provided. Make sure your name and the name of the pie entry are on the recipe and submit it at the time you bring your pie.
• Pies will be judged on overall appearance (crust and filling), and taste.
• All winners will be announced during the picnic. The first, second, and third place winners will receive a certificate, a prize, and “bragging rights.”
• At the conclusion of the event, the judged pies will be sliced for everyone to sample.

To register a pie for the contest, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Greater Des Moines (DSM) is experiencing tremendous momentum. DSM is the fastest-growing major Midwest metro in terms of percentage of population growth, and is outgrowing other Midwest metros in percentage of gross domestic product and employment growth. National and international publications have recognized DSM as a best place to live, work, buy a home and raise a family.

Key to maintaining this positive momentum in our region is assuring our local talent is thriving. Is our community investing wisely in you? We need to continue to ask our most important asset, our talent pool, if you believe DSM is a community where you can reach your full potential.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership, in collaboration with The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and the Excellence with Integrity Institute, is again conducting a survey to determine how embedded our workforce is in the community and workplace, based on connectedness to people, place and purpose. The results of this survey will provide direction to community and business leaders in DSM on what more needs to be done to enhance our region’s quality of life.

Take the survey here.

–Amy Smit, Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

Please join Drake International and the College of Business and Public Administration at the Turner Jazz Center on Thursday, July 25 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. to say goodbye to the Mandela Washington Fellows. This group of 25 young professionals from sub-Saharan Africa has been on campus since June 19, partaking in an intensive program on business and entrepreneurship. Help us congratulate them on completing their program and wishing them well as they leave Des Moines!

–Stephanie Dana Ely, Center for International Programs and Services