Category Archives: News & Achievements Archive

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship events

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (PFGCGC) at Drake will offer a series of fall events on campus that address global health, social change, immigration, and finance in locations from Des Moines to Mexico, South America, and Africa. Visit the PFGCGC site for a full list of events, and please encourage students, co-workers, peers, and community members to attend!

The PFGCGC educates students to function effectively in different cultural contexts and to see their own culture from the perspective of others. The Center also works to ensure that global perspectives and issues are an integral part of the intellectual and cultural experience of all members of the Drake community.

—Denise Ganpat, Administrative Assistant 2

Save the date and get active

Zumba at the Farmer’s Market:
Participate in a Zumba class on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the Drake Neighborhood Farmer’s Market, located on 26th Street just south of University Avenue. Join in this Latin-inspired dance party, and get a reusable shopping bag. No registration required.

Bulldog Fun Run/Walk—Parents/Family Weekend:
Get up and get active on Saturday, Sept. 24, 8–8:45 a.m. This fun run/walk is the perfect way to kick off Parents/Family Weekend. The route begins near Olmsted Center and ends in Drake Stadium! Cost is $10 per participant, which includes a shirt. Register by Sept. 14 at Eventbrite.

—Recreation Services

Office of Institutional Research & Assessment welcomes new data analyst

The Office of Institutional Research & Assessment is pleased to announce that Mitchell Stearns has joined us as a Data Analyst. In this role, Mitchell will develop institution-wide capacity for accurate, accessible, and efficient reporting solutions that transform data into actionable information. Mitchell brings an understanding of data systems, efficient forms of data extraction, and valuable data analysis skills.

Currently enrolled as a graduate student in Drake’s counseling program, Mitchell brings a unique person-centered approach to his role as an analyst. Through Mitchell’s unique combination of analytic and interpersonal skills, we aim to continue a standard of providing timely and efficacious data-informed decision-making insights. Please join me in welcoming Mitchell to Drake.

—Kevin Saunders, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment

Student publications are finalists for top awards

Drake Magazine and Urban Plains, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication senior capstone website, are two of the 30 finalists for Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Pacemaker awards for online publications. The print edition of Drake Magazine was also a finalist for a magazine Pacemaker.

The Pacemaker is the top award in college journalism. Drake and Northwestern University are the only schools to have two finalists. Other finalists include such institutions as Indiana University, Ball State, Syracuse University, and University of Oregon.

In the College Media Association’s (CMA) Pinnacle awards contest, Drake scored two of the three finalists for best news story: an Urban Plains story by Colton Warren, JO’16, on an Illinois town’s recovery from a tornado, and senior Molly Longman’s Drake Magazine story on the challenges facing refugees. A story about a 94-year-old hippie by Avery Gregurich, JO’16, is a finalist for best profile. Urban Plains is a finalist for online main page design, multimedia story and podcast. Drake Magazine is a finalist for portrait photography and magazine cover design.

Winners will be announced at the ACP and CMA conventions in October.

—Kathleen Richardson, Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Exclusive pre-sale: Faculty/staff basketball season tickets

Drake Athletics is excited to announce an exclusive pre-sale of both men’s and women’s basketball season tickets available to Drake faculty and staff! Season tickets go on sale to the general public on Sept. 15, so be sure to take advantage of this pre-sale to lock in the best seats available.

Men’s Basketball
(See below for seating chart)
Premium Center (C,D,E,N,O,P) – $124 per seat + $250 Bulldog Club donation
Premium Outer (A,B,F,G,M,Q,R) – $124 per seat + $150 Bulldog Club donation
Reserved Center (3,4,5) – $124 per seat + $250 Bulldog Club donation
Reserved Outer (1,2,6,7) – $124 per seat + $150 Bulldog Club donation
General Admission (8-25) – $75 per seat + No Bulldog Club donation

Knapp Center Seating Diagram

Women’s Basketball
(See below for seating chart)
Reserved Sideline (A-G, M-R) – $50 per seat
Reserved Baseline (S-T) – $40 per seat

All Drake faculty and staff can take advantage of discounted pricing with a valid Drake Card. To purchase your season tickets, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or by emailing tickets@drake.edu.

Knapp Center Seating Diagram (WBB)

Questions? Call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian, Assistant Director, Ticket Operations and Donor Management

Bulldogs of DU: Tony Tyler

Tony Tyler
Director, Student Engagement, Equity and Inclusion

What do you do?
I give guidance to the director of fraternity and sorority life; student leadership programs; and the Student Life Center, including student organizations. I advocate for inclusion and diversity efforts on campus, including advising the multicultural UNITY Roundtable, and thinking strategically about how we can impact inclusion and diversity for students today and well into the future.

This is a relatively new position for you, what were you doing before?
I’ve had more jobs at Drake than I’ve had years at Drake. I started as a hall coordinator for Stalnaker and then moved on to GK. After a couple years as a residence hall coordinator, first for Stalnaker, then for GK, I moved in the Office of Events as director of the Olmsted Center. I then moved in the Student Life Center where I focused a lot more on advising student organizations. And now I’m in this position. I’ve had the whole gambit of student life experiences; no matter what my future career plans, I never want to get too far away from those direct interactions with students.

Why is student life such a good fit for you?
I try to place myself on equal footing with students. I’m not a religious person, but my undergraduate degree still really affects how I think [he received his B.A. in religion with an emphasis in Bible studies from a small Southern Baptist school in Oklahoma]. I have a tattoo of a Hebrew scripture from one of my classes that says, “Act with justice, love with mercy, and walk humbly.” I fail a lot at it, but that’s how I try to live my life and I think students respond to that.

What is your vision for your new position and how Drake can become more inclusive?
The official statement on Diversity and Inclusion at Drake lays out a clear vision for the work we need to do. From a personal standpoint, I want to continue to develop a Drake that benefits every student and gets every student at the center of being included and having an outstanding experience.

Drake Faculty/Staff Days

All Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets to the events listed below. Tickets may be picked up at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

Football
Drake vs. McKendree
Sept. 17 at 1 p.m.
Drake Stadium

Women’s Soccer
Drake vs. Evansville
Sept. 25 at 1 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex

Men’s Soccer
Drake vs. Bradley
Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex

More information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions.

Questions? Call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian, Assistant Director, Ticket Operations and Donor Management

Register for Drake Intramurals

Drake Intramurals is excited to open registration for the following sports. Join your friends and create some new friendships through sport and recreation!

Volleyball—Due Aug. 31
Bags Tournament—Due Sept. 2
Fantasy Football—Due Sept. 5

Register online at imleagues.com/Drake 

For more information, contact Jordan Grindeland at 515-271-3522 or jordan.grindeland@drake.edu.

—Jordan Grindeland, Assistant Director, Recreational Services—Intramurals/Sports Clubs