Do you have an idea for an innovative healthcare solution? DELTA Rx’s Next Top Entrepreneur competition is taking place this month. The competition is open to all students, regardless of major, and all health care ideas are welcome. The event involves three rounds of competition with round one beginning Feb. 12. During round one, participants have three minutes to present their health care idea. The top 10 entries advance to round two on Feb. 19. The final round is Feb. 26. The judges for the competition will represent the pharmacy, healthcare, and business sectors.

Participants can register as an individual or in a team by submitting your name(s) to deltarx@drake.edu. The first 20 registrants will be accepted to participate in round one; others will be placed on a waiting list.

This is a great opportunity to build your resume, gain leadership skills, and network in a welcoming, constructive environment. Top prizes include $1,200 for first place, $800 for second place, and $400 for third place. New this year, top performers will be considered for a spot in the Lorentzen Student Hatchery summer program, which provides $10,000 and professional assistance to help students with a start-up business.

Learn more: View a poster for more information. In addition, the date and time of an informational session is being determined.

— Samantha Eunsol Lee, CPHS Student

Consider becoming a Peer Mentor/Academic Consultant (PMAC) and help welcome new students to Drake.

PMACs will continue to serve as a resource and motivator throughout the fall semester. Communication with new students will begin over the summer and continue throughout the fall semester. Based on research findings and past experiences, peer-to-peer interaction with an emphasis on students’ academic success and personal development is particularly important to overall growth during the first year in college. PMACs play an essential role in making sure new students are acclimated to their new environment before classes begin.

PMAC applications are due Sunday, Feb. 11. Apply here.

Contact the Peer Advisory Board at pab@drake.edu or Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu with any questions.

— Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence and Student Success

Surprise your sweetheart, roommate, professor, coach, co-worker, or supervisor with a singing valentine presented by members of the Drake Choir. We offer a special student price of $10 for a single rose and song delivered to campus within the boundaries of 25th Street to 34th Street and University Avenue to Forest Avenue. You will need to supply your student ID number in order to qualify for this Bulldog ballad.

Drake Choir members will deliver singing valentines on Wednesday, Feb. 14 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Add an appearance from Griff for an additional $25

A new feature of our singing valentines is the opportunity to have Griff join the Drake Choir singers in presenting your order. You can add a Griff appearance to any order package for an additional $25. Griff is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Please note that Griff is a certified therapy dog and loves people. However, if you’re having us deliver a valentine to a building in which security clearance is needed to gain entry, you’ll need to work out those details ahead of time with a building supervisor. Our students will not have time to negotiate that aspect of things when they arrive, so please make sure that Griff is expected and welcomed.

Why a singing valentine?

In addition to winning brownie points with your valentine, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s May 2019 international tour. No University funds are used for these tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.

To order a singing valentine, visit www.drake.edu/valentines or call 515.271.3024. The deadline is Feb. 9.

— Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Music

The Drake University Career Fair will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Olmsted Center. Review a list of organizations attending. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume!

Career Fair Times:

Open to only seniors: 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Open to all students: 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Professional attire required. No jeans or sweatpants.

Men: Suit and tie. If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers, a button down shirt, tie or blazer/sport-coat.

Women: Suit, if you don’t own a suit, wear dress pants or skirt and a nice blouse or sweater/blazer.

If you are uncertain about what to wear or have questions about the event, please contact your designated career staff.

— Chrystal Stanley, Academic Excellence and Student Success

The Office of Admission is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and fun Drake students to host prospective students during the 2018 Road Trip to Drake. This event, formally known as the Chicago Bus Trip, is bringing around 200 admitted students from the Chicago, Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Quad Cities, and St. Louis areas to campus on Feb. 18 and 19 to learn more about Drake.

Hosts must be available from 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, to 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 19. Hosts must be in good academic standing, live in the residence halls, and attend a mandatory host meeting. Sign up or read more here. Responses are due Feb. 7. Contact Natalie Larson at natalie.larson@drake.edu with questions.

— Natalie Larson, Admission

Recruitment Counselors provide support, friendship, and personal guidance to potential new members going through the formal recruitment process, while positively representing the fraternity and sorority life community. Apply here. — Rachel Mohatt

This semester, take advantage of wellness services to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Drake Wellness offers personal training, fitness assessments, body composition analysis, a wellness library to enhance your knowledge, massage therapy, and wellness consultations.

To book any of these services, email wellness@drake.edu. —Drake Wellness

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Innovation Studio. Our student maker and innovation council have special activities planned on Monday, Feb. 12. Be sure to stop by Meredith, Room 124C between 4 and 6 p.m. for fun activities and snacks. RSVP on Facebook and share with your friends. —Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers

This competition is for full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students who have an interest in starting their own venture. Students can participate as individuals or as teams. Applications must be for a startup or new business only, not for existing businesses. Regional winners receive $500 and advance to the finals where three finalists will be selected to receive $5,000. Applications are due Friday, March 30. Drake regional presentations are Friday, April 6. If selected as a finalist, presentations to Mr. Pappajohn are scheduled for Friday, April 20. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/dustudentpappajohn2018  or email jpec@drake.edu.

The Office of the Registrar and your college/school strongly urge you to take a moment to check the accuracy of your class schedule and your academic profile on the Student Services tab in blueView.

The deadline to drop a class (except classes that begin later in the semester and in the Law School) is 4:30 p.m. this Friday, Feb 9.

—Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar