Join an interactive session with Scott Raecker, executive director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, to learn how to integrate Drake’s Core Values into your work experiences.

Our Core Values help guide us in our work and interactions with each other at Drake. Scott will share tips on how to have intentional conversations about values and bring them to life in day-to-day interactions across campus.

To register for this class, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist, Human Resources

Whether you are new to Drake or a seasoned employee, this presentation is a must.  Hear the fascinating stories behind many of the buildings and grounds and the people who made the University what it is today.  Discover the origins of Chancellor’s Elm, the Kissing Rock, and Maddie Levitt Lane.

Diane Caldbeck, associate vice president for Alumni & Development, will lead this classroom Power Point tour on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311.

To register, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist, Human Resources

Please join Human Resources in welcoming our 52 new, full-time employees for the month of August.

Dian Nostikasari /Arts & Sciences, Assistant Professor, Environmental Science
Zachary (Zach) Foltz /Arts & Sciences, Laboratory Assistant, Chemistry
Julia Franklin-Jones /Arts & Sciences, Anderson Gallery Exhibitions & Outreach Manager
Leah Huizer /Arts & Sciences, Assistant Professor, English
Titus Klinge /Arts & Sciences Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Robert Collis /Arts & Sciences, Visiting Assistant Professor, History
Maureen Yuen /Arts & Sciences, Assistant Professor, Music
Eric Barnum /Arts & Sciences, Director, Choral Studies / Associate Professor
Daron Howard /Arts & Sciences, Visiting Assistant Professor, Sociology
Enes Akbuga /Arts & Sciences, Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Arturo Marquez, Jr. /Arts & Sciences, Visiting Assistant Professor, Cultural Anthropology
Blake Gerold /Arts & Sciences, Laboratory Assistant, Chemistry
Margaret (Maggie) Fiala /Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Director, Experiential External Affairs
Jamie Rognes /Pharmacy & Health Sciences, O.T. Shared Lab Facilitator, Mercy One
Kaylyn Maher /Pharmacy & Health Sciences, CPHS Communications Coordinator
Lakshminarayana Tirumala /Journalism & Mass Communication, Assistant Professor, Digital Media
Malgorzata Kolotylo-Kulkarni /Business & Public Administration, Assistant Professor, Info.Mgmnt.& Business Anlytcs.
Ji Eun Park /Business & Public Administration, Assistant Professor, Management
Christopher (Chris) Crawford /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Tabitha Mabiei /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Simon Irungu /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Maribel Rodriguez Ramirez /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Maria Rodriguez /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
David Pendras /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Arafa Yata /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Grace Lado /FP&M, Facility Maintainer III
Briana Cleveland /Athletics, Athletic Trainer
Michael (Mike) Bahl /Athletics, Assistant Director, Game Operations
Ryli Smith /Athletics, 2nd Assistant Rowing Coach
Benjamin Lott /Athletics, Assistant Men’s Tennis Coach
Cole Neary /Athletics, Assistant Director, Bulldog Club
Bronson Yin /Athletics, Assistant Volleyball Coach
Allison Bugg /Office of Admission, Admission Campus Visit Coordinator
Adam Voigts /Finance & Administration, Chief Financial Officer
Stephanie McDaniel /Head Start, Head Start Teacher
Elena Spellman /Head Start, Head Start Teacher Associate
Jennifer (Jenn) Ryker /Head Start, Head Start Teacher Associate
Deborah (Debbie) Merrill /Head Start, Head Start Teacher
Hallie Jarnagin /Head Start, Head Start Teacher
Dana Schmitt /Head Start, Head Start Teacher Associate
Lisa Westerman /Head Start, Head Start Teacher
Skye Stewart /Head Start, Head Start Teacher Associate
Becca Henrichs /Law School, Administrative Assistant
Caroline Kinney /Law School, Administrative Assistant
Miranda Merritt /Public Safety, Campus Public Safety Officer
Phoenix Ford /ITS, Campus Technician
Jason Green /ITS, Campus Technician
Daniel (Dan) Burkett /ITS, Campus Technician
Hayley Ellis /Residence Life, Area Coord. / Uppler Class Experience
Alecia (Allie) Gardner /The Ray Center, Assistant Director, Programs
Christian Law /Postal Mail Operations, Mail Clerk
Herkisha (Kisha) Burkett /UA /Alumni House, Administrative Assistant

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, then Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution.

Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, followed by a 30-minute class. Weight Watchers unique mix of face-to-face interactions with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many.  

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants and $186 for a 17-week series with 20 or more.  NEW THIS YEAR: Drake University will reimburse the fee for the first 20 employees who register AND attend at least 75% of the classes.  Meeting dates and times to be determined.  

If you are interested in joining a Weight Watchers at Work series, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. 

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Please join the Human Resources department in welcoming our 13 new, full-time Drake University employees, for the month of July.

• Amanda Hoerres  / CPHS, Drug Development Fellow
• Richelle Williams / CPHS, Assistant Professor, Athletic Training
• Rachel Allen-McHugh / CPHS, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
• Lauren McCarthy / Registrar’s Office, Transfer Student Advisor
• Lydia Roush / RaySociety, Program Coordinator
• Brock Yossi / Athletics, Assistant Director, Athletic Facilities
• Louis Poeppel / Athletics, Assistant Equipment Manager
• Emily Madsen / Athletics, Assistant Director, Rec.Service – Wellness
• Jeffrey Love / Public Safety, Campus Public Safety Officer
• Corey Kasperbauer / Public Safety, Campus Public Safety Officer
• Flor Soto Contreras / Head Start, CCP Monitoring Specialist
• Oziel Esquivel / ITS, Infrastructure Support Specialist
• Steven (Steve) Ramsey / Events Management, Assistant Events Manager

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Are you saving enough to meet your retirement needs?  Are your assets properly allocated to balance the potential growth of your portfolio?

To get a clearer picture of your retirement goals, schedule an individual counseling session with Paige Philips, Drake’s TIAA financial consultant. Paige will be on campus, Thursday, Aug. 8, in the HR conference room.

To register for an individual counseling session, call 800-732-8353 or visit the TIAA website.

–Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

A newly revised policy, Acceptable Use of Information Resources, is now posted online for the comment period. Please take a few moments and review this policy. To submit comments, email dupolicies@drake.edu.  The comment period will expire Aug. 8, 2019.

–Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Please join the human resources department in welcoming our two new full-time Drake University employees, for the month of May 2019.

Thomas Lene, 5/28/2019, Athletics, Associate Head Strength Coach

Kendra Morehead, 5/15/2019, Drake International, Director, International Student & Scholar Services

–Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Market proof your Drake retirement contributions.

Drake University sponsors both mandatory and voluntary 403(b) retirement plans as part of its overall benefit package. Full-time faculty and staff are required to participate in Drake’s Mandatory Retirement Plan after one year of full-time service. Upon eligibility, Drake contributes eight percent of annual base compensation while employees contribute three or five percent, dependent on position classification.

Additionally, all Drake faculty and staff are eligible to participate in Drake’s Voluntary Retirement Plan, regardless of the number of hours worked. Drake’s pre-tax savings retirement plans provide all employees an excellent opportunity to prepare for retirement.

To further assist you in your preparation for retirement, Drake is sponsoring A TIAA Financial Essentials Webinar, June 11. See this brochure to register for this live event.

–Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Join the fun this summer with HealthyU BINGO! Simply fill up a blank BINGO card (or two) during the month of June with healthy activities you complete from a list. Then take your completed card(s) to the Olmsted Center, Room 310/311 at noon on Tuesday, July 2, or Thursday, July 11, to play HealthyU BINGO for prizes. You are welcome to play one or both days.

To get started, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Deadline to register is Friday, May 31. All participants will receive a packet with directions, a list of HealthyU BINGO activities, and a blank BINGO card. There’s a broad range of activities to choose from, and you may complete them at Drake or at home, so don’t miss out!

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources