Faculty and staff members who have a child interested in attending a Bulldog summer football camp can receive $30 off registration. There are a variety of camp options in both June and July, with age groups ranging from third grade to prospects about to begin their senior year of high school. To learn more about each type of camp, visit drakefootballcamps.com. Contact Todd Stepsis, defensive coordinator, at todd.stepsis@drake.edu to receive the $30 off discount.
— Todd Stepsis, Athletics
Reminder: The next Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is this Friday, April 27, at noon in Medbury Hall, Room 201. We realize this is the Friday of Relays Week, but if you would like to take part in a discussion about SoTL and pedagogy before heading off to watch competition on the Blue Oval, this discussion is a great opportunity. While it is too late to sign up for a lunch, you are welcome to attend and bring your own.
— Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Faculty Senate elected their executive committee for the 2018-19 academic year. Carrie Dunham-LaGree will serve as president-elect. Other elected members of the committee include: Erik Maki, CPHS; Melissa Weresh, Law School; Chip Miller, CBPA; Jill VanWyke, SJMC; Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, SOE; Bruce Gilbert, Cowles Library; Mark Vitha, A&S. This committee begins its work in May for the 2018-2019 year.
— Nancy Geiger, Office of the Registrar
Whether it’s downtown pole vaulting, lunch at a food truck, or watching an Olympian on the Blue Oval, there’s plenty of ways to experience this year’s Drake Relays.
Lace up your shoes
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to run at the Drake Relays. If you missed Sunday’s Road Races, hit the pavement today, April 24, for the Grand Blue Mile. The one-mile street run is for runners of all ages and aspirations and starts in front of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park before making its way down Locust and Grand.
The Vault at Capital Square
A must see event, The Vault at Capital Square allows you to get up close and personal with world-class vaulters as they take to the skies inside the atrium at Capital Square tomorrow, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Grab lunch from a food truck on Forest Avenue
Drake community members looking to get out of the office and explore the Relays over lunch can dine at food trucks parked on Forest Avenue on Friday and Saturday. For the first time, Forest Avenue outside the stadium will be closed to traffic between 27th Street and 29th Street from Thursday at 2 p.m. to Saturday at 5 p.m. The closure will allow vendors, such as food trucks, to set up outside of the stadium and safely interact with the community. No vehicles will be allowed through the area during this time.
Alumni Awards Ceremony
The entire campus community (no need to be a Drake grad) is encouraged to attend the Alumni Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate our most distinguished alumni. This year’s award winners demonstrate outstanding professional accomplishments and loyal leadership to Drake and their communities. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to register to attend the ceremony this Thursday at 5:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.
Relays Distance Carnival
On Thursday, distance runners take the track with the 800-meter race beginning at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 7 p.m.—think seven-and-a-half laps with hurdles and water jumps.
Meet up with fellow Bulldogs and former students
Catch up with former students, old friends, classmates, and perhaps Griff during one of the many receptions and tent parties. Be sure to attend the All-Alumni Tent Party, for a won’t-want-to-miss Friday night party. You don’t have to be a Drake alumna/alumnus to attend. Other meet-ups include the Greek Reunion, Young Alumni Brunch, LGBTQ+ Reception, and SJMC Alumni Reception.
Spot an Olympian
Keep your eyes peeled for greatness. The Drake Relays attract some of the world’s best athletes. On Saturday, catch a glimpse of Andre De Grasse, a three-time Olympic medalist, set to compete in the men’s invitational 100 meters. In 2016, De Grasse won three medals at the Rio Olympics, including bronze in the 100 meters, behind Usain Bolt.
View a full list of 2018 Drake Relays events. Faculty and staff may visit the Drake Athletics Ticket Office and show valid Drake ID to receive a discounted ticket price to track and field events.
— University Communications
Faculty and staff, take advantage of discounted tickets for the Drake Relays. View special pricing for package and single-session tickets. Visit The Knapp Center Ticket Office and show a valid Drake ID to receive the discounted price.
For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.
— Ryan Harris, Athletics
We have a runoff! All Staff Council has a runoff for the Special Events/Community Service Committee. Please vote for your candidate by Tuesday, May 1, at 5 p.m.
— Tony Tyler, Division of Student Affairs/All Staff Council
Eaton on wavelengths, Gara on taxes. Petridis with interplanetary travel, Porter with Zelda. Plus, millennials are not ruining everything, and even five more reasons for optimism! Read all about all this and more in the Spring 2018 issue of Blue. Online at alumni.drake.edu/magazine.
— Beth Wilson, University Communications
Faculty and staff, take advantage of discounted tickets for the Drake Relays. View special pricing for package and single-session tickets. Visit The Knapp Center Ticket Office and show a valid Drake ID to receive the discounted price.
For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.
— Ryan Harris, Athletics
You are invited to relax, connect, and celebrate with colleagues at the All-Staff Council Sapphire Awards on Wednesday, May 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Levitt Hall. This annual event honors Called to be True Blue Award recipients from the 2017-2018 academic year, with Sapphire Awards going to top individual and group award winners.
Please join us for refreshments, entertainment, and connection as we come together to honor your hard work and commitment, while giving special recognition to colleagues.
—All-Staff Council
Are you ready for Relays? The week-long festivities (April 20-28) include so much more than world-class athletic competition on the Blue Oval. Here are a few ways for faculty and staff to make the most of their Relays experience.
Watch a paint fight
Street painting has long served as the unofficial kickoff to the festivities surrounding the Drake Relays. Watch as students take part in the tradition and paint a square on Painted Street. The event starts Friday, April 20, at 4 p.m. Beware, if you want to stay paint free, you may want to observe from a distance.
Attend an adorable (slobbery) beauty pageant
Watch as 40 English bulldogs strut their stuff on the pupwalk (no catwalks here!) at The Knapp Center at noon on Sunday, April 22, during the 39th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The bulldogs will compete for the illustrious cape, crown, and throne, and the honor of being the official bulldog mascot for the 2018 Drake Relays. The contest is free to watch and coo over, and you’ll be able to vote for your favorite pup to take home the Porterhouse People’s Choice Award during the contest.
Lace up your shoes
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to run at the Drake Relays. Hit the pavement during the Road Races or the Grand Blue Mile. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Drake Road Races, which will be held Sunday morning, April 22, and include a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon, with all runners finishing on the Blue Oval. Then, on Tuesday, April 24, compete, jog, trot, or walk in the Grand Blue Mile in downtown Des Moines. The one-mile street run is for runners of all ages and aspirations and starts in front of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park before making its way down Locust and Grand.
Grab lunch from a food truck on Forest Avenue
Drake community members looking to get out of the office and explore Relays over lunch can dine at food trucks parked on Forest Avenue on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 28. Forest Avenue will be closed to traffic between 27th Street and 29th Street from Thursday, April 26, at 2 p.m. to Saturday, April 28, at 5 p.m. The closure will allow Relays vendors, such as food trucks, to set up outside of the stadium and safely interact with the community. No vehicles will be allowed through the area during this time.
The Vault at Capital Square
A must see event, The Vault at Capital Square allows you to get up close and personal with world-class vaulters as they take to the skies inside the atrium at Capital Square on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Alumni Awards Ceremony
The entire campus community (no need to be a Drake grad) is encouraged to attend the Alumni Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate our most distinguished alumni. This year’s award winners demonstrate outstanding professional accomplishments and loyal leadership to Drake and their communities. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to register to attend the ceremony on Thursday, April 26, at 5:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.
Relays Distance Carnival
On Thursday, April 26, distance runners take the track with the 800-meter race beginning at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 7 p.m.—think seven-and-a-half laps with hurdles and water jumps.
Meet up with fellow Bulldogs and former students
Catch up with former students, old friends, classmates, and perhaps Griff during one of the many receptions and tent parties. Be sure to attend the All-Alumni Tent Party, for a won’t-want-to-miss Friday night party. You don’t have to be a Drake alumna/alumnus to attend! Other meet-ups include the Greek Reunion, Young Alumni Brunch, LGBTQ+ Reception, and SJMC Alumni Reception.
Spot an Olympian
Keep your eyes peeled for greatness. The Drake Relays attract some of the world’s best athletes. On Saturday, April 28, catch a glimpse of Andre De Grasse, a three-time Olympic medalist, set to compete in the men’s invitational 100 meters. In 2016, De Grasse won three medals at the Rio Olympics, including bronze in the 100 meters, behind Usain Bolt.
View a full list of 2018 Drake Relays events. Faculty and staff may visit the Drake Athletics Ticket Office and show valid Drake ID to receive a discounted ticket price to track and field events.
— University Communications
