Spend three weeks on a May Term learning about sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study-abroad opportunity is open to all undergraduate students and fulfills AOI: Engaged Citizen or Global and Cultural Understanding. It is six credit hours.

Information sessions:

• Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Meredith Hall, Room 124C
• Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., Aliber Hall, Room 103

Register at: drake.edu/studyabroad/. There is a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot.

For more information, contact one of the following professors:

• Heath Henderson, henderson@drake.edu
• Debra Bishop, bishop@drake.edu
• Jimmy Senteza, senteza@drake.edu
• Glenn McKnight, mcknight@drake.edu

—Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Are you passionate about violence prevention and making a more inclusive, safe Drake community? If this is you, join the Mentors in Violence Prevention team. The program is a great opportunity for students to develop skills in presenting, networking, and community outreach. Drake’s MVP program inspires leadership by empowering individuals with tools to lead and with concrete options to effect change in their peer cultures and across campus. Peer facilitators receive 12 hours of training, serve on our full MVP team, and present the curriculum on campus. Applications are due Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The MVP team is hosting a train the trainer event the evening of Friday, Nov. 3, and during the day Saturday, Nov. 4. Can’t attend the full training but still interested in learning about MVP or being a supporter? There is an option for supporters to attend part of the training. Supporters can be anyone: faculty, staff, or students. Supporters help open doors and make connections to further the MVP program. To attend a portion of the training as a supporter, send Tess Cody an email at tess.cody@drake.edu.  Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the training and be a part of the implementation discussion on the second day. Faculty and staff who are interested should also email Tess Cody.

—Tess Cody, Violence Prevention Coordinator

Did you know that approximately 10­–14 percent of Drake’s student body consist of first-generation college students? The Office of New Student Programs is inviting this ambitious and driven student group to share their college experience at upcoming discussion sessions. The sessions will help the Office of New Student Programs to grow and develop its support and resources for first-generation students.

Monday, Oct. 23: First-year students and sophomores who are first-generation students are invited to a discussion session from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Upper Olmsted Conference Room. Coffee and snacks will be provided. RSVP by Oct. 18 at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 25: Juniors and seniors who are first-generation students are invited to a discussion session from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Drake Room of Olmsted. Coffee and snacks will be provided. RSVP by Oct. 18 at 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 27, pizza lunch: first-generation students, faculty, and staff are invited to a lunch discussion at 11:30 a.m. in Cowles Library, Room 201. Pizza will be provided.

During these sessions, participants will have an opportunity to share their college experience and connect with other first-generation students. For questions or more information on the meetings, email orientation@drake.edu.

ICYMI: Watch a video in which faculty, staff, and students share stories and advice on the first-generation experience, and read about the University’s efforts to support this student group.

—Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

The Bulldog Fun Run/Walk closed out Parent and Family Weekend on Sunday, Sept. 24. More than 70 people participated in run/walk. The event featured a 5K and one mile event. Both routes started near the Olmsted Center and ended in Drake Stadium. Thank you to everyone who participated!

—Drake Wellness

Join the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 124B, to hear from Drake journalism students who had prestigious summer internships. Meet students who worked at Better Homes and Gardens, The Knot, Cityview Magazine, and more.

—Katie Bandurski

An informational fair on education abroad will be held in the Breezeway and on the Pomerantz Stage in the Olmsted Center tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about study, internship, and service-learning abroad programs Drake offers. Faculty, former Drake study aborad students, and the University’s international partners will be on-hand to share their experiences.

—Karen Williams, Center for International Programs and Services

Take part in the 2K Glow Run/Walk on Friday at 7 p.m. The course begins at Helmick Commons. Run or walk across campus while decked out in glow bracelets, necklaces, and glasses. A game of glow-in-the-dark Frisbee will follow the run. The event is free. Water bottles, glow accessories, and food will be provided.

For questions, contact Kaitlin Brueggen at kaitlin.brueggen@drake.edu.

—Kaitlin Brueggen

Tomorrow is the deadline to start a Drake International application for the Spring 2018 term. If you plan to study abroad, intern abroad, or participate in a service-learning abroad program during the Spring 2018 term, you must start your application online by tomorrow, Oct. 4. If you have any questions about participating in an education abroad experience, contact studyabroad@drake.edu.

—Karen Williams, Center for International Programs and Services

Fitness assessments and body compositions are free for students. Fitness assessments evaluate your current fitness level and your risk for disease, while a body composition analysis breaks down your body weight percentages. The measurements are compared to national standards.

To register for a fitness assessment or body composition, email wellness@drake.edu.

—Ellen Lowe, Recreational Services

Students on the Block 195 & 335 meal plans can convert up to 100 meals to flex dollars each semester. The first meal block conversion runs Sept. 18–29, and the second runs Oct. 23–27. Visit the Student Services Center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall to make changes.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, attend Bodacious Burgers Swipe+ at Hubbell Dining Hall from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students can use a meal swipe plus flex, cash, or credit card to purchase a burger with all the toppings.

—Jennifer Bowersox, Hubbell Dining Hall