Category Archives: Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Congratulations to the Drake faculty granted tenure and/or promotion

At its April meeting, the Drake Board of Trustees voted to approve the newest cohort of tenured and promoted faculty, the Sammons Endowed Professorship of Actuarial Science, the inaugural Flapan Professorship of Biology, and Troyer fellow.  Our colleagues’ hard work and passion as educators are truly extraordinary.

College of Arts & Sciences:

  • Vira Babenko, associate professor with tenure
  • Adam Case, associate professor with tenure
  • Jerry Honts, professor and inaugural Flapan Professorship
  • Erin Horst, associate professor with tenure
  • MaryAnn Huey, professor
  • Shauna Kaplan, associate professor with tenure
  • Vince Kenney, associate professor with tenure
  • En Li, associate professor with tenure
  • Kieran Williams, associate professor with tenure

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

  • Stacy Gnacinski, associate professor with tenure, Troyer Research Fellow
  • Cassity Gutierrez, professor
  • Jon Hurdelbrink, associate professor with tenure
  • Abebe Mengesha, professor
  • Shankar Munusamy, professor
  • Nate Newman, professor
  • Jamie Pitlick, professor of pharmacy practice

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

  • Lakshmi Tirumala, associate professor with tenure

School of Education

  • Tonia Land, professor

Zimpleman College of Business

  • Doug Bujakowski, associate professor with tenure, Sammons Professorship of Actuarial Science
  • Lendie Follett, associate professor with tenure
  • Alanah Mitchell, professor

— Sue Mattison, Provost

Campus Announcements Archive

Zimpleman College of Business introduces new leadership structure

The Zimpleman College of Business is implementing a new leadership structure to enhance its ability to manage and develop faculty, recruit new students, and support current students in achieving their goals.

This new lineup, dubbed the Senior Leadership Team, supersedes the Administrative Council, and includes the promotion of several recognized leaders into college-wide roles and the continued contribution from a number of proven leaders. These changes will take effect July 1, 2023:

New and revised roles: 

  • Alanah Mitchell will become the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs with a focus on faculty management and development.
  • Kelley Ellis will become the Associate Dean of Student Affairs with a focus on recruitment and current student support.
  • Kailee Springer will continue to serve as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs with an enhanced focus on current student advising and retention through the introduction of our blended advising model, and will collaborate with Kelley on admission and recruitment initiatives.

New leaders in current roles:

  • Lendie Follett will become the Information Management and Business Analytics Department Chair and serve as co-director of the Data Analytics program.
  • Lori Solsma will become the Department Chair and Director of the School of Accounting.
  • Doug Bujakowski will become the Department Chair and Director of the School of Actuarial Science and Risk Management.

Continuing roles:

  • Danette Kenne will continue in her role as Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives.
  • Jenny Jones will continue in her role as Director of Graduate Programs and will join the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Sheri Gavin will continue as the Zimpleman Budget and Office Manager.

I want to thank Sean Severe for the work he has done to move the Zimpleman College of Business forward during his tenure as Associate Dean. As he is welcomed back into the faculty, it is clear that his sensible, thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, and compassionate approach to leadership has been essential to the success of the College.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean of the Zimpleman College of Business

Campus Announcements Archive

High School State Track parking and road closure info May 18–20

Drake University will host the Iowa High School State Track & Field meet on campus Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, May 20.

The State High School track meet brings a large number of high school athletes as well as guests to campus. This is a reminder that parking and travel on and around campus will be significantly impacted.

It is highly recommended that if you are coming to campus that you use public transportation, if at all possible. If you do plan on driving, the Olmsted Lot (lot 16) will be held for Drake Permit holders only from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. You are free to park in any other open Drake lot with a valid Drake permit on Thursday and Friday at no charge, but only the Olmsted lot will be held for permit holders from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. With the large number of guests expected, parking will be difficult to find on campus. Please remember that cars that are parked on the grass, illegally in handicap spaces, or blocking operations will be towed without notice.

In addition to parking lot use, please note the following closures and restrictions:

  • Forest Avenue will be closed from 27th Street to 29th Street Thursday – Saturday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • There is NO PARKING on Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 29th Street on those days from 7 a.m. –7 p.m.
  • There is no parking on Clark Street between 27th Street and 24th Street
  • School buses will be parked on Forest Avenue throughout the event between 27th Street and 24th Street.
  • Lot 18S (Studio Arts) will be closed from Tuesday, May 16, through Saturday, May 20 for the concessions area.

Check out the schedule for this year’s state track meet, and more.

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Farewell open house for Director of Community Engaged Learning Renee Sedlacek Lee

All are welcome to join for an open house to celebrate the contributions of Renee Sedlacek Lee, director of Community Engaged Learning, and wish her well in her new role at Workiva, where she will start at the end of May. The Open House will be Wednesday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lower level lobby of Cowles Library and people are welcome to come and go as they are able. Food and beverages will be available.

Renee said, “It has been an absolute pleasure serving as the Director of Community Engaged Learning since 2017 and working to build the capacity and infrastructure of CEL at Drake since 2013.”

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Campus Announcements Archive

Seating installed at Sprout Food Forest

The corner of 30th Street and Carpenter Avenue has seen massive improvements over the course of the past two years. Most recently, thanks to funding from a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, there are now 14 Adirondack chairs and a three-person glider installed at the Sprout Food Forest. We hope you will check it out this summer and take the time to get outdoors!

More improvements are coming.
Later this month, a large cantilever umbrella will be installed over the outdoor classroom and interpretative signage throughout the Food Forest.

Reserve the outdoor classroom
Sprout is now located as an option on the Drake EMS reservation system. Consider hosting your class or a team meeting in the garden.

Volunteer with us!
All are welcome to dig and play in the dirt. No prior experience is necessary and a volunteer training will be provided. Sign-up on DUgood.

— Renee Sedlacek Lee, Community Engaged Learning

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

May Provost’s Social and HR recognition night

You are invited to join us at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, May 18, in Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to the Knapp Center, beginning at 4 p.m.

During this event, faculty, and staff who celebrated (or will be celebrating) a milestone service anniversary or retirement between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, will be highlighted. Their names will be scrolled on video screens around the room. There will be cake, soft drinks, wine, beer, and light snacks. President Martin will speak at 4:30 p.m.

Please take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers.

Be advised: this event falls on the same day as the State Track Meet, so on-campus parking may be limited. Please allow yourself ample time to find parking before the event.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

HR Information Archive

Guidance on avoiding financial stress

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are exploring different themes related to mental wellbeing and stress coping practices. As we all know, there are many stressors in life, but money is one of the most universal sources of stress—no matter what the tax bracket.  According to the American Psychiatric Association, when asked about their sources of anxiety, Americans put personal finances at the top at 64%.  And 42% of U.S. adults say money negatively impacts their mental health according to a survey by Bankrate.

Even though many external variables may affect financial stress, there are things you can do to help manage and even reduce it.

First, focus on your health.  When you are not your best, everything can spin out of control.  Prioritize your own physical, mental, and emotional health.  Keep active, sleep right, limit alcohol and caffeine, make healthy food choices, practice mindfulness, and stay connected to family and friends.

Next, it is time to plan.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Take stock of where you are with your money.  Make a list of everything you own, owe, earn, and spend.  This is your starting point and your method to find out where you are at right now.

Start or build an emergency fund.  Begin by taking some of the dollars you may spend on dining out, specialty coffee drinks, and entertainment and put those dollars into an emergency fund.  Saving $25 a week can add up to $1,300 in a year.  Over time, build this up to the equivalent of 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.  Another idea is to automate the process by having a certain percentage of your income go directly into a special savings account up front that you don’t touch.

Take a page from Marie Kondo.  Check your loan statements, credit card bills, memberships, and subscriptions.  What are you paying?  Are there better deals out there?  Do you really need it right now?  Answers to those questions can save you money.

Swap take-out for home meals.  When crunched for time it is easy to eat out and order take-out.  But if you are watching your finances (and your health), reduce eating out and take-out dining. Did you know that eating out is linked to increased morbidity and cancer? Consider trying some healthy and budget friendly meal prep at home.

Check your interest rates.  If you are using multiple credit cards for your purchases, try to use the card with the lowest interest rate so you will be paying less in interest when you do pay off your bill.  Even a few percentage points can save you money.

Keep calm about your investments.  You might be tempted to pull out of the markets when they become volatile and retreat to safety.  But if you are feeling uneasy, make an appointment with your financial advisor to go over your portfolio.

Ask for help.  If you are struggling financially or emotionally, don’t keep it to yourself.  There are resources that can help.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Change to MFA login process

Microsoft has started using number matching in Microsoft Authenticator in place of approval requests. As you sign-in to myDrake, Banner, and other resources protected by multi-factor authentication (MFA), you will be provided a number that you enter into Microsoft Authenticator. Number matching enhances security by ensuring you’re the person signing in. For questions, please contact the support center.

More information from Microsoft can be found here.

If you have issues authenticating, visit service.drake.edu/its, call 515-271-3001, or visit the Support Center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall.

— Shawn Madsen, ITS

For Students Archive

Updates to Drake’s COVID-19 guidance upon conclusion of the national public health emergency

May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 national public health emergency. Drake has adjusted its COVID-19 guidance to reflect the expiration of the PHE as indicated below.

  • Masking: Masks are not required on Drake’s campus. Individuals who choose to wear a mask based on their own circumstances are encouraged and supported to do so. Changes in this positioning will be predicated on community transmission levels.
  • Test Availability: PCR tests will no longer be available to Drake from the state of Iowa Department of Public Health as a state testing site. Students will be able to obtain tests at the Student Health Center.
  • Reporting Positive COVID-19 Tests: Faculty, staff, and students with a positive test will no longer be required to report test results to the University. Everyone, however, should refer to the CDC for guidance after a positive test and consult with their provider for appropriate care.
  • Relocation Procedures for Residential Students: As of the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester, the University has discontinued relocation procedures of on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19. This means an isolation room in Ross Hall will no longer be offered as a temporary housing option. Prior to move-in this fall, residential students will be provided additional information about what to do should they test positive for COVID-19.

As always, the University will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation carefully and adjust these measures as needed. Although the official public health emergency has ended, please remain vigilant about protecting yourself and others.

For questions on Drake’s COVID-19 guidance, contact Scott Law at scott.law@drake.edu.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Updates to Drake’s COVID-19 guidance upon conclusion of the national public health emergency

May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 national public health emergency. Drake has adjusted its COVID-19 guidance to reflect the expiration of the PHE as indicated below.

  • Masking: Masks are not required on Drake’s campus. Individuals who choose to wear a mask based on their own circumstances are encouraged and supported to do so. Changes in this positioning will be predicated on community transmission levels.
  • Test Availability: PCR tests will no longer be available to Drake from the state of Iowa Department of Public Health as a state testing site. Students will be able to obtain tests at the Student Health Center.
  • Test Benefit for Faculty and staff: Drake’s medical plan will no longer pay the full cost for COVID-19 testing services or the purchase of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests as of May 12, 2023. Employees will be responsible for paying the required office visit co-pay amount for testing services as well as the full cost for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

Note: If you are on Drake’s medical plan and  wish to get tested for COVID-19 at a pharmacy, you will be required to submit a claim form to Wellmark for reimbursement. The service will be processed per the plan’s cost-share amount. Medicap and Hy-Vee Pharmacies can submit claims for testing services directly to Wellmark.

  • Employee vaccination benefit: Drake’s medical plan will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost. If you have questions about these changes, please contact Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield customer service at 800–362–2230.
  • Reporting Positive COVID-19 Tests: Faculty, staff, and students with a positive test will no longer be required to report test results to the University. Everyone, however, should refer to the CDC for guidance after a positive test and consult with their provider for appropriate care.
  • Relocation Procedures for Residential Students: As of the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester, the University has discontinued relocation procedures of on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19. This means an isolation room in Ross Hall will no longer be offered as a temporary housing option. Prior to move-in this fall, residential students will be provided additional information about what to do should they test positive for COVID-19.

As always, the University will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation carefully and adjust these measures as needed. Although the official public health emergency has ended, please remain vigilant about protecting yourself and others.

For questions on Drake’s COVID-19 guidance, contact Scott Law at scott.law@drake.edu.