Please join Human Resources in welcoming nine new, full-time Drake University employees for the month of February.

Daniel (Danny) Bugg, Athletics, Assistant Director, Athletic Marketing
Lindsey Thomas, Athletics, Director, Ticket Operations
Janet (Lisa) Cooper, The RaySociety, Program Development Associate
Sophie Tibbals, CBPA, CBPA Success Coach
William (Bill) Adamowski, CBPA, Executive Director, Innovation, Entrprnshp.& Human Centered Design
Jeremy Curtis, Office of Admission, Assistant Director, Regional Recruitment, Texas & Latin America
Hannah Sappenfield, International Center, Global Partnerships Coordinator
Alexa Vitales, Head Start, Head Start Teacher Associate
Charleen Johnson, ITS, Campus Technician

— Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

The fiscal year 2020–2021 holiday schedule is available for viewing.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

This is a reminder that those employees wishing to participate in the wellness program and receive the reduced premium for the 2021 plan year will need to complete an annual physical with a primary care doctor between Dec. 1, 2019, and Nov. 30, 2020, and submit a Physician Exam Completion Form by Dec. 2, 2020. We extended our timeline for receiving a physical back to Dec. 1, 2019, to include those employees with December physicals.  Any employee who completed their physical last December should have their physician fill out a Physician Exam Completion Form and return it to the Drake Human Resources Office, attention Linda Feiden.

The on-campus UnityPoint screening and Hy-Vee screening options will no longer be available.  Also, we will continue to offer voluntary on-campus screenings with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, but they will not take the place of the annual physical with a primary care provider.

Should you have questions, please contact Linda Feiden in Human Resources at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you are ready to quit smoking but need a little help, the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program may be the answer. This free at work program features a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking. Participants will meet once a week for eight weeks. Each 60- to 90-minute class is designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior. Four to 10 participants are needed to hold this series.

Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Upcoming retirement changes to Drake’s Retirement Plans include refinements to the investment lineups, implementation of an equalized fee structure, and revisions to the Voluntary Retirement Plan loan program. 

Learn how these changes may impact you by attending a TIAA presentation Feb. 28.  Two presentations will be provided at the following times: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–311.  Reservations are not required.

To schedule a one-on-one consultation with a TIAA field consultant, please call Human Resources at 271–1901.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Please join the Human Resources department in welcoming 12 new, full-time Drake University employees for the month of January.

• Nicholas (Nick) Roby, Law School, Clinician-in-Res./Instr./Dir., Transactional Clinic
• Dorothy (Dorie) Knight, Law School, Ref.&Instr.Lib./Assist.Prof.Law Librarianship
• Ashley Rasmussen, Arts & Sciences, Budget Manager
• Claudia Kyalangalilwa, Arts & Sciences Administrative Assistant
• Brooke Sanders, Dean of Students, Coordinator for Student Disability Services
• Emily Mason, Head Start, Head Start Teacher
• Kathleen Zrostlik, Head Start, Health and Nutrition Assistant
• Melissa Brown, FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
• Monica Mabok, FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
• Manuel (Manny) Zuniga, FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
• Robert (Rob) Ebel, FP&M, FP&M Project Manager
• Kwangmin Jung, CBPA, Visiting Assistant Professor, Actuarial Science

— Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

TIAA’s February lineup of financial education webinars includes:

Feb. 11: Introduction to trusts:  Protect your assets; ensure your wishes are met
Feb. 12: Market-proof your retirement:  Learn how to protect and grow your savings 
Feb. 12: She’s Got It: A woman’s guide to saving and investing
Feb. 13: Cybersecurity@home: Secure your identity and protect your finances
Feb. 13: Within Reach:  Transition from career to retirement

To reserve access to these webinars, visit TIAA.org/VE today.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

The Drake University Home Incentive Purchase Plan provides financial support to full-time Drake employees who purchase an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling in the Drake neighborhood. Drake University will provide up to $3,500 for reimbursement of loan origination fees and/or closing costs for purchases made adjacent to campus. View additional information about the program, including applicable boundaries.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

If you are ready to quit smoking but need some help, the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program may be the answer. This free, at-work program features a step-by-step quit plan. Participants will meet once a week for eight weeks. Each class is 60- to 90-minutes long. The group format encourages individuals to work on the quit process both individually and as a group. Four to 10 participants are needed to hold a series.

For more information, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For those who wish to train for a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, Fleet Feet is offering spring training group programs. Their groups are led by certified coaches and supported by volunteer mentors.

The spring half marathon and 10K informational open houses were held Monday, Jan. 27, and their training program begins Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. at Fleet Feet. Even if you missed Monday’s informational meeting, you are still welcome to join. The 5K informational open house is Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m. at Fleet Feet, with training beginning Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m.

The half marathon and 10K training programs are 12 weeks with 24 training sessions. The 5K is a 10-week program (20 training sessions). The goal race for the half marathon and 10K is the Drake Road Race on April 19, 2020.

Fleet Feet is offering Drake employees a $25 discount to participate in their programs. With the discount the training program costs are $100 for the half marathon and $50 for either the 10K or 5K programs.

For more information, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources