Provisions in the new tax law may impact you in several ways. TIAA’s Tax Reform webinar on Feb. 21 from 12 to 1 p.m. will help you understand how the changes may affect your financial planning. View registration information.
— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources
Drake faculty are invited to submit nominations to the Deans’ Council for University Marshal and Assistant Marshal. The marshals oversee and participate in Drake commencement and other ceremonies. Submit nominations by Friday, March 9, prior to Spring Break.
University Marshal: To be eligible for consideration, nominees for University Marshal must 1) hold the rank of professor, 2) be actively engaged in the life of the University through all-university leadership and service, and 3) have regularly attended Drake University commencements.
Assistant Marshal: To be eligible for consideration, nominees for Assistant Marshal must 1) have been recognized by their academic unit or by the University for excellence in teaching, scholarship or service, and 2) have regularly attended Drake University commencements.
The University and Assistant Marshals are appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Deans’ Council. The term is for five years, renewable at the discretion of the President. Nominations can be directed to Drinda Williams, administrative assistant to the provost, at drinda.williams@drake.edu.
University Marshal Joseph Schneider, Ellis and Nelle Levitt distinguished professor of sociology and department chair, and Assistant Marshal David Wright, professor of journalism and mass communication, are stepping down as Drake’s Marshals following the 2018 commencement.
—Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the Drake Social this Thursday, Feb. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite.
— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
The Provost’s Council is now accepting break-out session proposals for the 2018 Learning Symposium, “Building Trust: Leading the Conversation.” This year’s Learning Symposium will be Monday, Aug. 20, at the Olmsted Center, and will feature Dr. Kathy Obear as keynote speaker. Please visit the Learning Symposium web page for more details and to download the Call for Proposals document.
— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
In January, an email simulating a phishing attack was sent to just over 400 staff; 96 percent of those who received the email either didn’t open the email, or didn’t click the suspicious link inside it. These results show that Drake employees are continuing to improve their identification and avoidance of these potential threats.
Indications that an email may be dangerous:
Slow down and take a second look before taking action.
ITS will continue to send out simulated attacks to faculty and staff. If you receive an email that you suspect is phishing, don’t click any links, download any attachments, or reply. Instead, forward the email as an attachment to informationsecurity@drake.edu.
Additional training will be assigned to faculty and staff members who repeatedly click links or open attachments in phishing emails, simulated or not.
For more information on how to report phishing emails, see the IT Service Portal guide, Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).
— Peter Lundstedt, ITS
Date: Thursday, Feb. 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Reading Room, Cowles Library
Description: The Comparison Project presents: Everyday Miracles: Above + Beyond Cancer Journeys.
Dr. Richard Deming, founder and chairman of Above + Beyond Cancer, will speak about the small miracles he experiences with patients and survivors every day. Dr. Deming is medical director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines. He received his bachelor’s at South Dakota State University and his medical degree at Creighton University. Dr. Deming is known in the community for the compassionate care he provides cancer patients and their families. He is involved in many national, state, and community organizations and is the recipient of numerous awards. He was awarded the Lane Adams Award by the American Cancer Society for excellence and compassion in patient care. He is the recipient of “the one hundred” Award by Massachusetts General Hospital for his work with cancer survivors. He was awarded the Iowa Cancer Champion Award for his tireless efforts in the field of advocacy. He is dedicated to the principals of human dignity, social justice, and compassion. His greatest ambition is to encourage others to pursue lives of meaning, purpose, passion, and compassion.
Michael Zimmerman will give a personal narrative about his own journey with cancer. Zimmerman is the director and founder of RipRoar Events, a Des Moines-based company focused on endurance event creation and production. He also is a nationally recognized sports announcer who commentates and inspires endurance athletes from youth to professional. In 2016, Michael was diagnosed with a rare case of composite lymphoma with both curable and non-curable elements. For the past two years, Michael has undergone both aggressive and moderate chemotherapy to stabilize and cure his disease. Michael’s documentation and intentional awareness throughout his cancer journey gives his journey a raw and authentic account.
Above + Beyond Cancer takes cancer survivors on incredible adventures, leading participants to places like Mount Everest Base Camp and the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. But, their work isn’t about getting to the tops of mountains. Through transformational journeys, participants inspire the public by devoting themselves to a life of advocacy and leading an example for healthy living and cancer prevention in their communities.
Contact: Monique Rodriguez, monique.rodriguez@drake.edu
The Engaged Citizen Conference, “Nourishing the World,” begins Thursday, Feb. 22, starting with a pre-conference film at 6 p.m. The conference, on Friday, Feb. 23, from 12 to 4:30 p.m., will feature a keynote address by Darci Vetter, Drake alumna and former chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative.
Register and find more information.
— Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The Drake University Archives proudly announces a Black History Month display, created by Drake senior and Archives Assistant Kori Ponder. The display tells the history of Drake’s Coalition of Black Students organization, as well as the University’s first African-American student, Simon Scott, class of 1887. The display is located in the Cowles Library second floor atrium, just outside the Reading Room, and is open to the public during regular library hours through the month of February.
— Leslie Noble, Cowles Library
Faculty, midterm grades for spring classes are due by 10 a.m. on Monday, March 26. You may enter midterm grades anytime between now and the deadline through blueView, MyDUSIS, or Blackboard.
— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of Registrar
The first film of the spring 2018 East Asian Studies Film Series will be shown today, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. in Harvey Ingham Hall, Room 134. The film is called The Mermaid (China, 2016), and is a quirky, comedic reimagining of The Little Mermaid that looks at the impact of greedy corporate interests on the continuation of sea life (including mermaids). The film is organized by the East Asian Studies Minor and co-sponsored by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association. Contact Marty McCarthy at mary.mccarthy@drake.edu with questions.
— Marty McCarthy, Department of Political Science