FYS proposals are due Friday, Feb. 9. Visit the FYS Resource Page to find the submission form. The form asks you to rank order the four FYS times, so we ask everyone to fill out the form, even those who have taught the FYS they are proposing in the past. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
— Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Applications for the Drake Research Grants and Undergrad Assistantship Programs are due Feb. 9 in the office of your dean or program director. Find more information here.
— Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The next in a series of meetings focused on creating inclusive learning environments will be at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room. These meetings provide an opportunity for anyone on campus to come and discuss the challenges, successes, and failures we have faced as we try to navigate the difficult issue of creating inclusive learning environments. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
— Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Save the date for the 2018 Drake Learning Symposium on Monday, Aug. 20. This year the symposium for faculty and staff will be held at the Olmsted Center to make it easier for everyone to attend all or part of the event. The theme this year is Building Trust: Leading the Conversation. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Kathy Obear of the Center for Transformation and Change. Her topic will be Facilitating Difficult Dialogues. A call for proposals for break-out sessions will be going out in a few weeks. See the Learning Symposium web page for more details.
—Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost
Looking for a unique Valentine greeting for friends, colleagues, or family? The Drake Choir will deliver singing valentines on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Each singing valentine is a special delivery and can be presented at work, a restaurant, a retirement center, home, or wherever you designate; the choir has sung at construction sites, schools, offices, hospitals, and many more venues, so creativity is welcome.
We deliver to the entire Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, Windsor Heights, and Urbandale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the day and 5:30 to 8 p.m. during the evening. In Ankeny, Altoona, Waukee, and Norwalk, we deliver from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
To order a singing valentine, visit http://www.drake.edu/valentines/ or call 515.271.3024. The deadline is Feb. 9.
Choose from one of three great packages:
True Romance—one rose and a song, $30
Cupid’s Favorite—six roses and a song, $45
Hopeless Romantic—one dozen roses and a song, $65
Add an appearance from Griff for an additional $25
A new feature of our singing valentines is the opportunity to have Griff join the Drake Choir singers in presenting your order. You can add a Griff appearance to any order package for an additional $25. Griff is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Please note that Griff is a certified therapy dog and loves people. However, if you’re having us deliver a valentine to a building in which security clearance is needed to gain entry, you’ll need to work out those details ahead of time with a building supervisor. Our students will not have time to negotiate that aspect of things when they arrive, so please make sure that Griff is expected and welcomed.
Why a singing valentine?
In addition to winning brownie points with your valentine, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s May 2019 international tour. No University funds are used for these tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.
— Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Music
Final grades for J-Term courses are due by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb 7. If you have difficulty entering final grades, contact Kevin Moenkhaus or Shannon Odenbach.
— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of Registrar
Faculty and staff are invited to a social hosted by the provost on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center. Snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine will be served.
— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
Date: Thursday, Feb. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pomerantz Conference Center, Olmsted Center
Description: German conversation group is an opportunity to practice your German speaking skills. Any level is welcome to attend; the group is open to anyone, not just students.
Contact: Sarah Baldi, sarah.baldi@drake.edu.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Sussman Theater
Description: A two-man comedy troop will perform The Black-Jewish Dialogues on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater. The event is free and pizza will be provided. This hilarious performance deals with diversity, prejudice, and inclusion in an innovative way. The event is being sponsored by the Unity Roundtable and the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Contact: Drinda Williams, drinda.williams@drake.edu
Date: Sunday, Feb. 4
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Shivers Basketball Practice Facility
Description: National Girls and Women in Sports Day recognizes the extraordinary progress sparked by Title IX and the ongoing effort to ensure access to sports for girls and women. Thanks to a generous donation to Drake Athletics, Drake Women’s Basketball is offering a free clinic Sunday, Feb. 4, at 12 p.m. at Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. The clinic is designed to get local girls involved in sports and expand their opportunities in life. Clinic registration is now open to all local girls eighth-grade and under. Registration will close on Friday, Feb. 2, or once all spots are filled. Space is limited and participant slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early. Clinic participants will receive a free T-shirt and four complimentary game tickets to the Drake Women’s Basketball game against Missouri State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4. Registration and information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/ngwsd.
Contact: Ryan Harris, ryan.harris@drake.edu
