As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to continue receiving the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026 need to complete a physical exam with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Dec 1, 2025.  This is an annual event, so if you submitted one last year, you need to do it again this year.

If you already had your physical since last December, please fill out the form and turn it in now.  If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Some physician’s offices require a long lead time for appointments. Also note that our Wellmark health plan allows for one physical per calendar year, so you should not need to wait a year and a day between physicals.

Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed form by Dec. 1, 2025, will qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, which is a savings of over $30 per month.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team!  This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 18 through July 31.  With over two dozen events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball, ping pong and golf, to a fitness walk and 5K run. You may participate in as many events as you want.

All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Opening Day for Adventureland Park is Saturday, May 17. Drake employees may purchase discounted tickets by going to AdventurelandResort.com/PromoCode.  Select how many tickets you want to purchase, enter the promotional code DRAKE (must be all CAPS and no spaces) and click REDEEM.  You will be routed to their online discount ticket website to complete your purchase.  Discounted tickets are $37.99 + tax.  This price does not include parking.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As we wrap up the current academic year’s BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning & Development) program, Drake HR is already thinking about the 2025–2026 BUILD series.

If you would like to present a BUILD class or know of someone who might have a topic of interest for others, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Student Jobs End May 17: All student timesheets will end May 17, 2025. If students will continue working on campus after May 17, supervisors must re-register them for the summer so they will have a summer timesheet.  If students graduate and will continue working after they graduate, they will be treated as part-time temporary employees and will need to visit HR to complete employment paperwork.

Returning Student Workers for Summer and Fall: If you have returning students for summer 2025 and fall 2025, please submit these positions as soon as possible via the Student Employment Registration Form.   If you have a long list of students to add, you may use the Student Employment Registration Spreadsheet in lieu of the Qualtrics form.  This will ensure a smooth transition for the upcoming semesters for you and your student workers.  Questions?  Email student.employment@drake.edu.

— Teresa Downs, HR

Now that spring has sprung, it is time to go outdoors and get moving.  If you need a little nudge, we are bringing back the Walk this May team step challenge.  During the month of May, teams of four to eight will record their weekly step counts.  Totals and how teams rank will be shared weekly with the teams to keep the competitive juices flowing. Winners will be announced at the end of the month.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Wednesday, April 30 with your team members, team captain, and team name.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going!

— Linda Feiden, HR

Nineteen staff members were recognized during the annual Sapphire Awards ceremony on April 15, for having received either an individual or team Called to Be True Blue Award during the academic year.

In addition, during this event, the recipients of two special Sapphire Awards and this year’s coveted Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award were also announced.

• Individual Sapphire Award Winner: Nicholas Kavanaugh, assistant director of student affairs, CPHS
• Team Sapphire Award Winners: Kara Wendelin Carnahan, manager, online student services and Suzanne Wisslead, CRM specialist – both in Online and Continuing Education
• Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award Winner: Sara Hughes, assistant to the Dean in the Law School

Congratulations to them all! We encourage everyone to take time to congratulate these amazing Drake staff, and to find ways to recognize others.

It’s never too early to start thinking about True Blue awards. Presentations will start up again at the beginning of the Fall 2025 academic term.  All Staff Council’s Recognition Committee invites everyone to fill out an online Called to be True Blue nomination form at that time, if they know of someone deserving of this honor.

— Linda Feiden, HR

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team.  This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 18 through July 31.  With over two dozen events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball and golf, to a fitness walk and yoga. You may participate in as many events as you want.

All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, HR

As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to get outdoors and get moving!  If you need a little nudge, join this year’s Walk this May team step challenge!  During the month of May, teams will record their weekly step counts. Team step totals and team rankings will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Wednesday, April 30, with your list of 4 to 8 team members, team name, and team captain.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Managers, please encourage your new employees to attend the first available New Employee Orientation after their employment. Either the manager or new employee can RSVP by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu in Human Resources.  Please put “NEO” in the subject line of the email.

The next available New Employee Orientation session will be held Wednesday, April 30, from 9-11 a.m. in Levitt Hall, 2^nd Floor, Old Main.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources