Griff II will be available in front of Old Main for photos and pets from 7–8 p.m. on May 12, 13, and 14. All are welcome! He will be dressed in his cap and gown for graduates wishing to snap some graduation photos.
Plans may change in the case of inclement weather. Check @DrakeUGriff social media for announcements on any changes.
— Erin Bell, University Communications and Marketing
Honors Senior Thesis Presentations will take place April 28–30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in the Medbury Honors Lounge.
The Honors Senior Thesis presentations showcase the distinctive, interdisciplinary research conducted by Drake Honors students across a wide range of fields. This three-day event is both a celebration of their academic work and a culminating moment in their Honors experience, as students share their research and findings and contribute to the academic life of Drake University.
All members of the Drake community are invited to attend. A detailed presentation schedule is available at www.drake.edu/honors/curriculum.
— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education
After three incredible decades of dedication to the Drake University community, Karen Pomeroy is retiring! Please join us as we honor her remarkable career, share memories, and wish her the very best in her next chapter.
When: May 15
Time: 9–11 a.m.
Where: Aliber Hall, Room 204
We look forward to seeing you there!
— Sydney Sattre, Dean’s Office Zimpleman College of Business
The Government Relations Director for School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), Dave Daughton, will be discussing the current legislative sessions’ impact on teaching PK-12 on April 28 from 1:30–2:30 p.m in Collier-Scripss, Room 005. The event is sponsored by the School of Education’s DEI Committee.
From Dave Daughton: “As we get closer to the end of the session, things either start ramping up or slowing down. We had a little bit of both this week. Some bills that needed additional discussion either quickly passed or came to a virtual standstill. We also had some fairly contentious debate on the floor about a few bills. Some of that had to do with “surprise” amendments onto bills.”
Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend to better understand the impact recent legislation will have on Pk-12 teaching. Including a proposed bills to make parents pay for dropped classes, an in-person mandate, guides for district investment, and a bill governing student behavior.
— Amber Graeber, Assistant Professor of Education
Facilities Planning and Management has scheduled a steam outage on campus from Monday, May 18 — Wednesday, May 20. This outage is necessary to make repairs to a condensate line near Herriott Hall as well as additional repairs to the steam system within Harvey Ingham.
During this outage, which will affect most buildings on campus, there will be no hot water. This outage will NOT affect cooling on campus.
Buildings excluded are:
Alumni House
Boys and Girls Club
Campus Suites at Dogtown
Harkin Center
Nursing Building
Jewett Hall
Occupational Therapy Building
Ross Hall
Facilities Planning and Management has scheduled this outage after careful consideration of the impacts to the greater campus community. With limited students on campus and the many camps, conferences, and orientation sessions scheduled for late May through August, this was deemed to be the most optimal time for a shutdown.
— Colin Atkinson, Associate Director, Facilities Planning & Management
If you know a junior who is interested in going abroad after graduation, invite them to consider the Fulbright program. Awardees teach English, study, or conduct research outside of the U.S., serving as cultural ambassadors. This is just one of many funded opportunities for graduates to experience life in another country.
Exemplary juniors with plans for graduate school might consider scholarships such as the Marshall or Rhodes for study in the U.K. There are also numerous scholarships available to research and/or study in other countries and in the U.S.
Interested students are encouraged to contact Drake’s Coordinator of Global Post-Graduate Scholarships, shelley.fairbairn@drake.edu, before the end of this semester.
— Shelley Fairbairn, Professor of Education
Don’t forget to vote for All Staff Council! Use the All Staff Council ballot to vote for your new committee members. Voting closes at midnight on Friday, May 1.
— All Staff Council Governance Committee
Need a break? Come get crafty at Cowles Library!
Join us for Crafternoon on Friday, May 1, from 3–5 p.m. and add some sparkle to your day. We’ll be bedazzling books or anything you want to decorate.
Bring a book, sunglasses, mug, keychain, or whatever could use a little glow-up, and dive into some hands-on creativity. All supplies provided.
— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library
May is here, and that means the perfect floral Griff T-shirt!
Each month, we release a new limited-edition Griff design so you can build your collection all year long. Collect all 12 designs, and you will unlock a bonus exclusive at the end of the year.
Show off in May with the newest addition to the Griff t-shirt collection. Featuring a fresh floral design and plenty of school spirit, it’s the perfect way to rep the Bulldogs all month long.
— The Bulldog Shop
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, was established by the founder of Mental Health America to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions.
While stigma around mental health and treatment has decreased in recent years, there are still people who hesitate to take steps to address mental health challenges, seek care, and talk about mental health with friends, family, and even their medical providers. Did you know that one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year and on average, people live with symptoms of a mental illness for 10 years before seeking treatment, largely due to the stigma?
So, what can you do? How should you observe Mental Health Awareness Month?
Human Resources has created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage that includes a detailed list of resources and upcoming events to assist you.
Remember, it is OK to not be OK. Please reach out when you need help, be there for others who need an assist, and start the conversation.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
