If you would like a special challenge this spring, then Couch to 5K may be for you. This program is designed to take almost anyone from the couch to completing a 5K (3.1 miles) in nine weeks. You just need to commit to training 30 minutes a day, three days a week, at a time that works for you.

You will receive a training plan and weekly emails with tips and encouragement for those times when you may need an extra nudge. In addition, when you finish the program, we will form a team and complete the Drake Road Race 5K on April 22. This year’s course finishes on the iconic Blue Oval in Drake Stadium.

If you are interested in this challenge, please email linda.feiden@drake.edu. There will be an informational meeting Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room. The training program will begin the following Monday, Feb. 12.

One more note: Registration is open now for the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile. On Feb. 6 only, you can register for the Grand Blue Mile for only $10 at www.grandbluemile.com, which is half off the regular registration price and includes a commemorative technical shirt. If you complete both the Drake Road Race 5K and the Grand Blue Mile (called the Bulldog Double), you will be awarded a special commemorative medal.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Do you want to learn CPR but don’t have time for a four-hour class? The American Heart Association is offering a free Hands Only CPR class. This is not a certification course.

Hands only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest. The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children, victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. However, with this class you will learn two easy steps that can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Join us on Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311, for this quick and simple training class. In 30 minutes, you will learn a skill that could save a life.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab in the Learning and Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake’s online recognition tool, Peerceive, is a quick and simple way to show recognition to colleagues. Recognizing employee contributions, and creating meaningful recognition and awards programs, are an important part of the Drake culture.

The Peerceive dashboard includes easy-to-use tools to send electronic kudos or e-cards. Kudos are a way for co-workers to express gratitude for a unique contribution to the workplace. They can be sent as often as you wish and to any employee (or group of employees) in any department. E-cards are an electronic version of a hand written note. Use these to tell an employee happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, or wish them well.

Recipients will receive an email letting them know they received a kudos or e-card. A link will take them to the site where they can view the message.

You can access Peerceive on blueView under the Employee tab. Peerceive is located in the right-hand channel. It can be bookmarked for easy access. Your username is your Drake email address and your initial password is your employee number, including any leading zeroes.

The portal is simple to use, but if there are questions, a Peerceive User Guide is available.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

In January, Drake welcomed six full-time staff members:

Molly Painter, Teacher Associate Substitute, Head Start

Ariadna Gonzalez Agostini, Teacher, Head Start

Bonita (Bonnie) Ehler, Budget Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, International Center

Julie Yankey, Director of Partnerships and Special Programs, International Center

Jeffrey (Jeff) Currie, Classroom Support Technician, ITS

William (Bill) Winslow, Assistant Duty Engineer, Facilities Planning and Management

— Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

We have all grown up hearing that certain foods are good for you and others should be avoided. However, the list of good and bad foods changes each year, and it is difficult to determine fact from myth. Are eggs a good source of protein or a cholesterol nightmare? Are carbohydrates healthy or hurtful? Join Hy-Vee registered dietitian Anne Cundiff on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Room 310 and 311, as she helps us navigate through this food maze.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.

An online registration form for this class is accessible through the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources.  You may also contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you would like a special challenge this spring, then Couch to 5K may be for you. This program is designed to take almost anyone from the couch to completing a 5K (3.1 miles) in nine weeks. You just need to commit to training 30 minutes a day, three days a week, at a time that works for you.

You will receive a training plan and weekly emails with tips and encouragement for those times when you may need that extra nudge. In addition, when you finish the program we will form a team and complete the Drake Road Race 5K on April 22. This year’s course finishes on the iconic Blue Oval in Drake Stadium.

If you are interested in this challenge, please email linda.feiden@drake.edu. There will be an informational meeting Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room.  The training program will begin the following Monday, Feb. 12.

One more note: Registration is open now for the Drake Road Races 5K, 10K, and half marathon.  Check the website for pricing. Also, if you are interested in participating in the Grand Blue Mile on April 24, registration opens on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with a one day flash sale pricing. You can sign up for only $10 at www.grandbluemile.com, which is half off the regular registration price and includes a commemorative technical shirt. If you complete both the Drake Road Race 5K and the Grand Blue Mile (called the Bulldog Double) you will be awarded a special commemorative medal.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Do you want to learn CPR but don’t have time for a four-hour class? The American Heart Association is offering a free Hands Only CPR class. This is not a certification course.

Hands only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest. The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children, victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. However, with this class you will learn two easy steps that can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Join us on Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311, for this quick and simple training class. In 30 minutes, you will learn a skill that could save a life.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab in the Learning and Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Don’t forget to register for HealthTrip—our 2018 wellness activity program. HealthTrip is a fictitious journey to some familiar sounding cities such as Aerobiquerque, N.M. and Las Veggies.  Each destination city features a unique health topic to explore. Participants earn Frequent Mover Miles by tracking activities such as walking, swimming, and playing basketball.  Additionally, there are opportunities each month to earn bonus miles by completing a challenge.

This program is designed to work with your schedule. You may participate every month or just the months that work best for you. Prize drawings will be held monthly for those who complete that month’s challenge.

The HealthTrip departure date (start date) is Feb. 1. Make your reservation today by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. You will receive details including an information sheet and the first month’s brochure.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake strives to provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits package in addition to well-being and educational opportunities for its employees. View a snapshot of current full-time employee benefits, programs, and services. —Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the BUILD program session, “Five Steps to Increase Results and Reduce Stress,” on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311. Register by emailing Debra Wiley at debra.wiley@drake.edu. The presentation, by business and productivity consultant Lori VandeKrol of A Life Made Simple, provides strategies for creating productive habits for balancing all facets of life.

— Debra Wiley, Human Resources