Keep up your language fluency! Japanese Language Table offers the opportunity for students, faculty, and administrators to practice speaking Japanese on Fridays in Lower Olmsted starting at 3 p.m. Drop-in attendance and all levels of speakers are welcome. For further information, contact Samantha Dao at samantha.dao@drake.edu.
—Drake International
Drake University Counseling Center is thrilled to bring Tom and Doris Smeltzer, authors of Andrea’s Voice: Silenced by Bulimia, to Drake for NEDAW 2016. Tom and Doris lost their daughter, Andrea, to bulimia at the age of 19, and have since dedicated their lives to eating disorder prevention. The Smeltzers will speak on Thursday, Feb. 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium. Faculty and coaches can consider swapping a class, assignment, or practice to encourage students to attend the event, and the event is free and open to the public.
In addition to hosting the speakers, the Counseling Center will lead other events the week of Feb. 22–26. These events include a resource table in Olmsted, online eating disorder screenings, a mindful eating experience, and a yoga exercise. Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa is also hosting community events in Des Moines on Feb. 26–27 as well.
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. Out of all mental health struggles, including schizophrenia, eating disorders continue to have the highest mortality rate. The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is to put the spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders and to improve public understanding of their causes, triggers, and treatments. By increasing awareness and access to resources, we can encourage early detection and intervention, which can improve the likelihood of full recovery for millions. Help is available and recovery is possible.
Please let me know if you have any questions about these events.
—Melissa Nord, Counseling Center
School of Journalism and Mass Communication students won 25 awards Feb. 4 from the Iowa College Media Association. Highlights included first and second place in online edition for Urban Plains and Drake Magazine, respectively; a sweep in interactive design; a first place in investigative reporting; and awards representing photography, writing, design, social, and multimedia. The awards represented material published in The Times-Delphic; the senior capstone website Urban Plains, and Drake Magazine. Details are on the SJMC website.
—Kathleen Richardson, Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
So you were born in Canada—do you have dual citizenship?
“I’m on my third green card, I can’t quite pull the trigger on taking out American citizenship. I travel so much to different countries, I just find it amusing that information, money, and merchandise can cross borders with a mouse click, and you and I have to stand in lines and convince people to let us in.”
What are the biggest differences between Canada and the U.S.?
“I think that the concept of a compact is probably more in tune with Canadian mentality than American mentality. You know this is still a place where independence and taking responsibility for your own issues is so ingrained in the culture. And it’s not that Canadians think other people should solve their problems, but it’s more like a ‘we’re in this together’ kind of mindset rather than ‘my problems are my problems and your problems are your problems.’ You almost have to live in both places to get a sense for how that works.”
You’ve been at Drake for more than 20 years—what’s made you stay?
“The relationship Drake faculty have with students—I’ve not seen that in other places. I’ll say it this way: We have a fundraiser every year where faculty will donate things to be auctioned off for charity. My donation is that I’ll come to your house and cook for four; people have paid up to $200 to have me come and cook. When I was student, I would have paid $200 to never have to look at my professor again. I just haven’t seen that faculty-student relationship anywhere else.”
After 40 years on the faculty—including two terms as dean of the Law School—David S. Walker, the Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law, is retiring. Join us for a celebration of his service and accomplishments. Refreshments will be served. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at 3 p.m. in Kern Commons, Cartwright Hall. RSVP to theresa.howard@drake.edu
Twelve Drake students traveled to Brussels during J-term to participate in the Model European Union (EU). Students learned about the EU’s institutions and participated in dialogues and a press corps with students from other American and European Universities. Students represented country delegations from the various EU member states. The discussions simulated ministerial-level conferences on issues of migration and improving the European economy, among other topics. Student came away from the conference with a better understanding of the institutions and issues facing the EU.
—Submitted by Eleanor Zeff, Associate Professor of Political Science
Enjoy an evening with music, dance, story telling and more! Come to Parents Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a cultural night! Drake students’ experiences in Uganda are featured in this cultural exhibition alongside their counterparts from Uganda’s Makerere University Business School and members of Drake’s African Student Association.
—Submitted by Stephanie Cardwell, Administrative Assistant, CBPA
Drake University Wellness is again making massage therapy available to Drake faculty, staff, and students in the Wellness Center. Special Drake rates are offered at $30/30 minutes, $50/60 minutes, $75/90 minutes. Add-ons are also available. Contact massage therapist Anne Boal directly at 515-988-8760 or www.anneboalwellness.com to schedule an appointment. Extended morning and afternoon appointment times are available.
—Submitted by Anne Boal
Purchase your all-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays and take advantage of discounted pricing. All Drake faculty and staff can purchase all-session tickets at the discounted price of $89 each (regular $95). Don’t miss out on any of the action on the blue oval; get your tickets today by calling 515-271-3647 or visiting the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Questions? Please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Tom Florian, Assistant Director of Ticket Sales
Looking for a unique way to celebrate your valentine? Send them a singing valentine with the Drake Choir. In addition to winning brownie points with that special someone, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s 2016 concert tour of Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. No University funds are used for the tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.
Each Singing Valentine is a special delivery. Surprise them at work, at home, at a special dinner … be creative!
We deliver to the entire Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, Windsor Heights, and Urbandale Feb. 12–13, 2–8 p.m.
We will also deliver to Ankeny, Altoona, Waukee, and Norwalk after 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 13.
Three easy ways to order:
All orders must be received by Feb. 6.
—Submitted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Conducting
