Chances are you are already making some healthy choices: Getting a dental check-up, participating in BUILD classes or wellness programs, sending a Peerceive kudos, or attending a Drake Social. Now you have the opportunity to win some great prizes for those choices. The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is a points-based spreadsheet dedicated to helping you enhance your quality of life in seven areas: physical, emotional, financial, community, social, occupational, and intellectual. Simply check items off on the scorecard as you complete them. If you reach 100 points between Sept. 3, 2018, and May 31, 2019, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is available to all current Drake full-time and regular part-time employees, regardless of enrollment in the Drake Medical Plan. Download a copy of the scorecard and get started today.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake challenged Des Moines University and Wesley Life to a step challenge in October. During the month team members from all three institutions tracked their daily steps using pedometers, fitness trackers, and smart phone apps. The goal was to be the institution with the highest average step total. The prize – a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year.

Seventy-four Drake faculty, staff, and students began the program and 58 completed the challenge. Out of those 58 participants, we collected a total of 16,931,373 steps which is equivalent to 8,465 miles. Our average step total was 291,920 steps.

Although we did not win the trophy it was a close competition and we should be proud of our accomplishment!

1st Place: Wesley Life 294,546 average step total

2nd Place: Drake University 291,920 average step total

3rd Place: Des Moines University 272,287 average step total

We will compete again next October and hope that many of you will help us bring this trophy home. But you don’t need to wait until then to get moving. Being more active is possible any time of year. Even during the winter months. Here are a few ways to add steps to your day:

Create a walking group with co-workers and friends. The Knapp indoor track is available most days over the lunch hour. You may need to check times and schedules.

Join a Group X class at the Bell Center.

• If your building has an elevator, skip it if you are able and take the stairs instead.
• If possible, walk to talk to co-workers instead of calling, emailing, or texting.
• Set a timer and every hour get up from your desk and walk around or walk in place for a couple minutes. Walk and talk on the phone as well.
• Park further from your destination. And if your building has multiple entrances, enter from the furthest door.
• If you are getting groceries on your way home from work, walk the shopping cart back inside the store when you are done with it.
• Watching TV at night? Get up and walk around during the commercials. Better yet, skip TV and try an active video gaming experience with a Wii Fit or Xbox Kinect.
• And instead of getting together with friends for dinner, make it an active night out. Check out a winter farmer’s market, go ice skating, or try a dance class.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive yet fattening foods, like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.

Beginning and ending weights will be recorded and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

For more information, or to register to participate, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 15.

A packet of information will be sent to those who register. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 19.

Let’s make this a happy and healthy holiday season.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

With the holidays quickly approaching, some Drake faculty and staff may travel by air to visit family and friends. If that sounds like you, did you know that Drake employees receive a 50% discount (or $3.50 per day) at the Keck Airport Shuttle Parking, located at 5555 Fleur Drive, for business and personal travel?

Simply take a ticket at the gate and park your car in any open space.  A shuttle will pick you up in the parking lot and drop you off outside the terminal for quick and easy entry into the airport. Upon returning to the airport, the shuttle will pick you up outside of the baggage claim doors and drop you off at your car.

When you pull up to the cashier window to pay, identify yourself as a Drake employee, show them your Drake ID or business card if asked, and you will receive the discount.

And, if you need a reminder of our upcoming Holiday dates, review them here: 2018-2019 Holiday Schedule.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Have you ever thought of yourself as your own brand? It may seem like terminology that is only specific to product marketing, but today personal branding can be your path to success in professional development, whether you are wanting to expand your career, achieve personal recognition or just work better with your colleagues. Carlyn Crowe, Visiting Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will provide several tools for developing or enhancing your personal brand by identifying and learning to express your unique set of values. You’ll leave this session with tools you can use immediately for understanding and communicating your brand that will give you more confidence and empowerment for professional and personal success.

As part of the conversation, individuals will incorporate knowledge on their personal traits, through Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). If participants are uncertain of their type, individuals can take the Jung Typology Test, at http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality.

Please join us on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 1–3 p.m. in Olmsted, 310 for this productive session.  Register online. 

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Please plan to stop by the Annual Benefits and Wellness Fair this Friday, Nov. 9, from 8:30–11:30 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Parent’s Hall North. This annual, come-and-go event provides an opportunity to learn about the wide range of benefits and wellness opportunities available at Drake University. Representatives from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Advantage Administrators, Delta Dental of Iowa, TIAA, Long Term Care Strategies, Principal Life Insurance Company, Employee and Family Resources, and Human Resources will be present to answer individual questions. The line-up also includes Drake University’s Recreational Services and Athletics/Ticket Office. Bring a co-worker and

• Visit with colleagues.
• Submit benefit election forms.
• Enter drawings for vendor prizes.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Veterans Day is a federal holiday held every November 11^th  to honor all military personnel who have served in the U.S. armed forces. This year, Veterans Day falls on a Sunday, with most states observing it the following day (Monday).

Drake University would like to thank all of our employees who are veterans of our armed forces. In honor of service to country, we will offer our veterans a free meal at Hubbell Dining Services.

To receive a printed voucher for a complimentary free meal, which may be used at any time during the month of November, please bring evidence of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), or your Veterans Organization Card. Alternatively, provide a photograph of yourself in your military uniform to Human Resources, located at 3206 University Avenue, anytime during the month of November.  Thank you for your service.

Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Please join Human Resources in welcoming 10 new, full-time Drake employees for the month of October.

Taresa Lombard, Head Start Teacher Associate, Head Start
Macey Coppess, Family Engagement Specialist, Head Start
Kerra Beilman, Head Start Teacher Associate, Head Start
Eric Merten, Assistant Director of Admissions, Office of Admissions
Matthew (Matt) Lyons, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs, Athletics
Magen Renner, Administrative Assistant/O.T., CPHS
Geena Rasmussen, Development Data Specialist, University Advancement
Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid, Student Financial Planning
Joni Kinnan, Administrative Support Specialist, College of Arts & Sciences
Jeremy Ray, Classroom Support Technician, ITS

Have you ever thought of yourself as your own brand? It may seem like terminology that is only specific to product marketing, but today personal branding can be your path to success in professional development, whether you are wanting to expand your career, achieve personal recognition, or just work better with your colleagues.

During a session on Nov. 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. in Olmsted, Room 310, Carlyn Crowe, visiting assistant professor and internship coordinator for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will provide several tools for developing or enhancing your personal brand by identifying and learning to express your unique set of values. You’ll leave this session with tools you can use immediately for understanding and communicating your brand that will give you more confidence and empowerment for professional and personal success. Register online.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive, yet fattening foods like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.

Beginning and ending weights will be recorded and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

For more information, or to register to participate, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.”  Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 15.

A packet of information will be sent to those who register. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 19.

Let’s make this a happy and healthy holiday season!

Linda Feiden, Human Resources