The Drake University Community School of Music is excited to introduce a group ukulele class for non-music majors. The class meets every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. for eight weeks starting Oct. 3 in the Fine Arts Building. The cost is $200. There are only 10 spots available, so if you are interested, register soon by contacting Cynthia Giunta, director of the Drake University Community School of Music, at cynthia.giunta@drake.edu or 515-271-2832. The class is a great way to make new friends and take a break from studying. All you need to participate is an inexpensive ukulele.

Elaina Steenson, Music

Colleges Against Cancer will be hosting a dodge-ball night, Knock Out Cancer, on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. The purpose of this event is to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Participants are asked to sign up in teams of up to 6 people.

Please make sure all of the members of your team are signed up under the same team letter. There will be food for sale at the event and 100% of the money raised will be donated to Blank Children’s Hospital. Thank you in advance for your support!

Colleen Kless, Senior

The Drake University Community School of Music is excited to introduce a group piano class for non-music majors. The class meets every Wednesday from 12-1 p.m. for eight weeks starting Oct. 1. The cost is $200. There are only 10 spots available, so if you are interested, register soon by contacting Cynthia Giunta, director of the Drake University Community School of Music, at cynthia.giunta@drake.edu or 515-271-2832. The class is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy learning how to play the piano.

Cynthia Giunta, Music

Students who have the 195 or 335 block meal plan are now able to complete meal plan conversions online in the Housing and Meal Plan selection portal. Students may convert up to 100 meals per semester. One board meal equates to $4 flex dollars.

There are two designated sessions per semester in which students may choose to convert meals to flex dollars. The fall meal plan conversion sessions are:
Sept. 17—28
Oct. 22—26

Join us for Stone Steakhouse Swipe+ on Thursday, Sept. 20, in Hubbell Dining Hall from 5—7:30 p.m. or while supplies last. Enjoy a juicy steak cooked to order for dinner.

Jen Bowersox, Drake University Dining

Help us choose the Drake Relays Band by filling out our survey.
Once you fill it out, you are automatically entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card.

Genesis Buckhalton, Student Activities Board

Students, have you considered learning a few words and phrases in Japanese? Are you planning one day to apply for a Fulbright or the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program? Do you want or need to keep up your foreign language fluency? Drake’s Department of World Languages and Cultures wants to help.

The Japanese Language Club meets every Friday from 3—5 p.m. in Room TMR 133, located in the lower level of Olmsted. Language learning takes place during the first hour, and in the second hour, the Club will offer activities such as origami, calligraphy, or Japanese cooking. All students are welcome to join in for conversation and activities directed by a native speaker.

For further information, contact Associate Professor Chinatsu Bachmann at chinatsu.sazawa@Drake.edu.

Dorothy Pisarski, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Drake International is hosting focus groups to gather information on what students would like in a Drake semester abroad program. All students are invited to attend and share their thoughts. The focus groups will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Library, Room 201 (the Fish Bowl). There will be three one-hour sessions: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2:15 to 3:15 p.m., and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Karen Williams, Education Abroad Advisor

The Drake Innovators will hold an open house for the Innovation Studio on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m.—3 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 124C. This will serve as an introduction to our EC, help students with using the resources we have (like 3D printers), and to talk about what kinds of things we’d like to do this year, so it will serve as a great introduction to our club. We will be serving cookies, brownies, and pizza, so if you like free food, you should come check it out!

Blake Trebelhorn, Senior

President Martin will visit individual residence halls to share campus updates and answer student questions.

Sunday, Sept. 23
7 p.m.—7:45 p.m., Ross Hall
8 p.m.—8:45 p.m., GK Hall
9 p.m.—9:45 p.m., Jewett Hall

Sunday, Nov. 11
7 p.m.—7:45 p.m., Carpenter Hall
8 p.m.—8:45 p.m., Herriott Hall

Sunday, Nov. 18
7 p.m.—7:45 p.m., Crawford Hall
8 p.m.—8:45 p.m., Stalnaker Hall

Meetings will take place in common/community areas in each hall.

Cheryle Anania, Office of the President

We know that developing leadership skills is crucial in preparing you for your Drake college experience and for your future career. To that end, here are two leadership opportunities offered exclusively to Drake students through the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute on campus.

Emerging Leaders Model
Are you a first-year student interested in leadership? Apply to participate in the Emerging Leaders Model (ELM) this fall. This seven-week workshop series provides first-year Drake students an opportunity to gain leadership skills and prepare for their future leadership roles on campus, all while exploring valuable tools to lead effectively as a college student through “The Student Leadership Challenge.”

Attend an information session to learn more:
• Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m., Olmsted, Room 312
• Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m., Olmsted, Room 312

Ready to Apply? Submit your ELM application by Sept. 13. For questions, contact Kristin Economos, director of student leadership programs, at kristin.economos@drake.edu. Find more information.

Adams Academy
Are you interested in enhancing your student leadership skills? The Adams Academy is a signature program offered exclusively to Drake sophomore, junior (P1), and senior (P2) student leaders. This semester-long leadership program will enhance your leadership skills through educational workshops, interactive activities, and guest speakers from across the Drake and greater Des Moines communities. Students who participate in the Adams Academy will:

• Enhance your leadership knowledge and skills
• Identify strengths and areas of weakness as a leader
• Build authentic and inclusive relationships with other student leaders
• Join a network of 1,400+ Adams Academy graduates
• Learn more from faculty and staff in leadership roles across campus

Attend an information session to learn more:
• Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 12 p.m., Olmsted Center, Drake Room
• Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m., Olmsted Center, TMR 132
• Friday, Sept. 14, at 9 a.m., Olmsted Center, Drake Room

Ready to Apply? Submit your Adams Academy application by Sept. 16.

For questions, contact Kristin Economos, director of student leadership programs, at kristin.economos@drake.edu. Find more information.

Kristin Economos, Student Leadership Programs