The summer group fitness schedule is now available online! All classes are free to attend for Drake students, faculty, and staff. Register for classes by downloading the REC*IT FITNESS app or log in at www.imleagues.com. Classes run May 15–June 29 in the Fitness Studio at the Bell Center.
—Ellen Lowe, Recreational Services
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications voted unanimously at its spring meeting on April 29 to reaccredit the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The site visit team in February had recommended that SJMC be reaccredited, finding compliance on all nine standards related to such areas as curriculum, assessment, student services, and faculty scholarship. The team’s report cited “a hard-working, productive and dedicated faculty who are passionate about teaching;” “award-winning students who are professionally oriented;” “focus on diversity imbued throughout the curriculum;” and “the ” ‘Drake way’ system of advising, which focuses on lifelong mentorship between students/alumni and faculty.”
The reaccreditation process occurs at six-year intervals. There are currently 110 accredited JMC programs in the United States; only 15 of those programs are at private institutions.
—Kathleen Richardson, Dean, SJMC
Join us on Thursday, May 11, as we honor Drake employees who reached 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years of service from Sept. 4, 2016 through June 30, 2017, and those who are retiring or have recently retired.
This year’s event will be part of the May 11 Drake faculty/staff social from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center.
Take a moment to congratulate your co-workers!
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Just a reminder that the location for key returns (and pickups) was changed to the Student Services Center this year. If you have an office/classroom key to return at the end of the semester, please stop at the Student Services Center rather than Facilities. We encourage you to turn in any keys that you are no longer using.
—Sara Heijerman, Students Services Center
You are invited for food, entertainment, and celebration as we honor Drake staff at the annual All-Staff Council Sapphire Awards. All “Called to be True Blue” Award recipients from the academic year (listed below) are in the running to receive Sapphire Awards for the top individual and group. Madelyn M. Levitt awards for employee excellence and distinguished service will also be presented by HR.
Please join us for a little break from the year-end busy-ness as we celebrate the many ways Drake staff members make Drake a better place.
What: The 2017 Sapphire Awards
Where: Levitt Hall, Old Main
When: Thursday, May 4
Time: 2–3 p.m.
Sapphire Nominees:
INDIVIDUALS
Anthony Squire, Technology Support Specialist, ITS
Ellen Lowe, Assistant Director, Rec Services, Wellness
Joyce Sharp, Administrative Assistant for Budget and Finance, CPHS (retired)
Emma Daily, Senior Strategist, Visual Design, University Communications
Terri Howard, Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office, Law School
Kevin Saunders, Director of Institutional Research and Academic Assessment
Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator, Finance and Administration
Amanda Martin, Programs Coordinator, Community Engaged Learning
TEAMS
Athletic Communications & Marketing Promotion Teams
Jessie Neal and Heather Storms, Law Library
—Submitted by All-Staff Council
Drake has agreed to sell two parcels of University-owned land to Nelson Construction & Development, which plans to build a hotel, market-rate apartments, and urban-style row houses on the site. See renderings and learn more in the Drake Newsroom.
Tuesday, May 2: Stone Steakhouse Swipe+ Dinner in Hubbell. Enjoy a prime rib dinner for only $10.99 (+meal swipe)
Friday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo Lunch in Hubbell
Sunday, May 7: Late Night Breakfast/Cram Jam in Hubbell, 11 p.m.–12 a.m. Join us for a late-night breakfast to get ready for finals!
Tuesday, May 9: Bodacious Burgers Swipe+ Dinner in Hubbell. Try one of our delicious burgers for only $7.49 (+meal swipe).
Saturday, May 13: Commencement Lunch
—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo
Drake Innovation Studio held a T-shirt design contest with the top two designs being printed on shirts. We are happy to announce the winners—congrats to Kylee Bateman and Autumn Meyer!
We have teamed up with The Side Garage to bring this unique screen printing event to campus on Friday, May 5, in Meredith Hall, Room 124C. The first 100 people to come between 1 and 3 p.m. will get the chance to screen print their own FREE Drake Innovation T-shirt. For more information, visit our Facebook page or email innovation@drake.edu.
—Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers
Drake is seeking comments from students and the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Drake’s institutional accrediting agency. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academics programs. Student input is considered in the evaluation process and is important to giving HLC a holistic view of Drake’s learning and living environment and ability to fulfill its mission.
You are invited to submit comments regarding Drake University to the following address:
Public Comment on Drake University
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7–500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
You may also submit comments on HLC’s website at www.hlcommission.org/comment.
Comments must be in writing, and must be received by Sept. 22, 2017.
Drake will host a visit Oct. 23–25, 2017, with a team representing the HLC. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s criteria for accreditation. Drake has been accredited by HLC since 1913.
—Kevin Saunders, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Four Drake students have been selected as finalists for prestigious 2017–2018 Fulbright Scholarships. Seniors Nathan Jacobson, Elena Dietz, and Kelly Leatherman will teach English in Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Malaysia, respectively. In addition, one recent Drake graduate has been selected for a year of research in India. Read more in the Drake Newsroom.
