Category Archives: For Staff Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive, For Students Archive

Ambassador John K. Menzies to visit Drake

Ambassador John K. Menzies, former Chief of Mission at the U.S. Office in Kosovo and U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, will be a visiting diplomat at Drake on April 6. Faculty and staff are invited to a breakfast with Ambassador Menzies on Friday, April 6, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Medbury Honors Lounge. Please RSVP to denise.ganpat@drake.edu if you plan to attend.  Ambassador Menzies will also hold “office hours” for students from 10 to 11 a.m. on April 6 in the International Center, located at 1213 25th Street.

 — Denise Ganpat, Center for Global Citizenship

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Social April 11

A faculty and staff social will be held Wednesday, April 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite. All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy beverages, popcorn, and snack mix, while relaxing with friends and colleagues. Watch your email for the Provost’s trivia question to earn an additional drink ticket. There will be not be a town hall discussion prior to the social.

— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All In campaign kicks off Thursday: What will your impact be?

All In is this Thursday and Friday from noon to noon! The 24-hour online giving day is an opportunity to make a huge difference in a short amount of time, but in order to be successful, we need all of us—faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and fans—to be all in.

Challenge opportunity

Thanks to a group of generous donors, gifts made during All In can go even further. If 1,000 people make a gift, alumni Doug Zinser, AS ’96, Al McCoy, FA ’54, and Paul, JO ’68, and Laura Miller, AS ’70, will collectively give $50,000 to Drake. Be sure to participate and be counted as one of 1,000 to earn this substantial amount for the University.

How to be All In

  1. Give online on April 5 and 6 at drake.edu/all-in. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
  2. Spread the word. In one day, Bulldogs across the nation can do truly amazing things—as long as they know about it. Spread the word about #DrakeALLIN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and encourage others to do the same. Be sure to follow the campaign Facebook page and share posts throughout the day. You can even update your profile picture with a frame from the All In Facebook page to show your support.
  3. Celebrate. Attend the faculty and staff social this Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the lower level of Collier-Scripps Hall to celebrate All In. A drink ticket and snacks will be provided. After the social, continue the celebration at Peggy’s with an event hosted by the Central Iowa Regional Alumni Board. No need to be an alumna/alumnus to attend. Griff and Paul Revere’s breadsticks will be there.

Don’t forget, the entire campus community is encouraged to wear Drake gear on both April 5 and 6! Faculty and staff who make a purchase at the Bookstore this week will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card—this is in addition to the standing 20 percent off discount faculty and staff receive.

For questions about All In, contact Becca Widmer, director of annual giving, at becca.widmer@drake.edu.

— Becca Widmer, University Advancement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

March Digital Faculty Member of the Month

Each month, a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into the classroom. March’s digital faculty member of the month is Michael Q. Rieck, associate professor of computer science. Read an interview between ITS and Mark.

What type of technology do you use?

VirtualBox with Ubuntu and Minix virtual disks

In what context do you use this technology?

Lab work, during regular class sessions

In what course do you use this technology?

CS 160: Operating Systems

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy?

It gives students an opportunity to do some Linux systems programming, and to rewrite source code for Minix and explore the effects.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change?

It started more than a decade ago. Minix goes along with a textbook by Tanenbaum, and I wanted students to wrestle with OS source code, and Minix seemed easier than Linux.

How long did it take for you to implement this technology?

Including labs that I developed, it took about half a year to get it all set up.

Did ITS assist you in implementing this technology?

Yes, particularly with the installation of VirtualBox in FAC 335, which is a room I depended upon for Ubuntu and Minix labs, until recently.

Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS staff? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.   

—Erin Ulrich, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

First generation student ice cream social

In support of Drake’s increased programming for first generation students, Provost Mattison is hosting an ice cream social on Wednesday, April 4, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Shivers Hospitality Suite. This is an opportunity to celebrate Drake’s first generation students, staff, and faculty and to continue building relationships and support within the community.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP by Friday, March 30.

If you have any questions, contact lauren.locante@drake.edu or orientation@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Reminder: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lunch Friday

Reminder: The next Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is Friday, March 30, at 12 p.m. in Medbury Hall, Room 201. The lunch discussion is an opportunity for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one, to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL—to share ideas, seek advice, or ask questions of colleagues engaged in the process. While it is too late to sign up for a lunch, you are welcome to attend and bring your own lunch.

— Art Sanders, Associate Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff/Facilities meeting with President Martin

President Martin will meet with facilities and staff this Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Stage, to discuss the University’s draft of core values. This casual gathering will include a chance to provide feedback and ask questions about the core values. The meeting is presented by All Staff Council.

— Nancy Geiger, Office of the Registrar/All Staff Council