Category Archives: Archive

For Students Archive

Golf: For Business and Life Program

Who:  Students (priority for upperclassmen)
What:  Learn to play golf from a professional and how to use it as a business tool from local business professionals

The non-credit course is two parts. The first part is 7–10 group golf lessons at Glen Oaks Country Club and then a small best ball golf outing. You will choose which golf time works for you, Wednesday or Thursday evenings.

The second part is  four classroom sessions with speakers who will discuss the importance of golf in the business world. These sessions will be on various Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., throughout the semester.

You must be available for both parts of the class.

When:  First classroom session will be Tuesday, Sept. 6.  Lessons will begin after Labor Day.

Why:  To gain the knowledge and skills to utilize golf as a vital business skill
Cost: $75
Application Deadline: Aug. 19; applications are online at www.drake.edu/recservices

For more information, please contact Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu or 271-4710.

—Lisa Murphy, Director of Recreational Services

HR Information Archive

Open period approval process updated

The Open Period Approval Process has been updated to simplify the process. The details for the process and accompanying “Position Approval Form” can be found in the Manager’s Tools and Resources internal webpage through blueView.

The intent of the open period has not changed. Vacated positions will remain open for a minimum period of 60 calendar days (“open period”) from the last date the vacating employee is paid, unless the position or circumstances surrounding the vacated position are deemed critical to student success, safety, or creates a negative financial impact. The process was established in an effort to effectively manage financial metrics, to ensure strategic alignment of regular full- and part-time staff positions of the University, and for oversight and due diligence of meeting financial metrics. Exceptions to open period require written approval by the president.

Managers received an email with process details on Aug. 4.

Human Resources is available to assist you should a position come open in your area. Contact Gary Johnson (x4804) or Cindy Adams (x3676) with any questions or for assistance.

—Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

News & Achievements Archive

Drake welcomes new employees in July

Welcome the following Bulldogs to Drake:

Sue Mattison, Provost
Megan Brady, CPHS
Steve Bowen, CPHS
Daniel Chibnall, Cowles Library
Brenda McNear, Facilities Planning & Management
Venetta Hammond, Facilities Planning & Management
Mitchell Wieczorek, Facilities Planning & Management
Manny Toribio, Facilities Planning & Management
Mary Wohlford-Wessels, Sponsored Programs
Nicole Hays, Athletics
Andrew Dunlay, Athletics
Michelle Curtis, Head Start
Laura Schurz, Head Start
Thomas Rogers, ITS
Danielle Peters, University Events Management

—Human Resources

News & Achievements Archive

Get ready for 2016–2017 Bulldog athletics!

Fall sports season tickets on sale now
Are you ready to cheer your Bulldogs on to victory this fall? Be sure to take advantage of affordable season ticket pricing for football, volleyball, and soccer! Full pricing information is available below.

Season Ticket Pricing:
Football: $40/person (*Faculty/Staff Discount—Regular $60)
Volleyball: $30/person
Men’s Soccer: $20/person
Women’s Soccer: $20/person

For more information or to purchase your tickets today, please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.

Spike’s Kids Club–Faculty/Staff Discount
Once again, Drake Athletics is excited to offer all Drake University faculty and staff the opportunity to purchase memberships to Spike’s Kids Club for $15 each. Spike’s Kids Club is open to children 12th grade and under and provides free admission to ALL home athletic events (excludes Drake Relays and post-season play). Additionally, membership includes an official membership card, T-shirt, email updates on upcoming promotions, birthday card from Spike, and admission to exclusive club parties. To purchase your child’s membership, click here.

Questions? Please contact Tom Florian, assistant director of ticket sales, at 515-271-4949 or thomas.florian@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian

News & Achievements Archive

The Ray Center honors exceptional character

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake issued its highest honor to Iowa philanthropists Patty and Jim Cownie at the Iowa Character Awards Dinner on July 29.

A selection committee of more than 50 people chose the Cownies to receive this year’s Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award. The awards reflect former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray’s lifelong commitment to civility and character development. It was initially presented to Ray in 2003 for his exemplary character, visionary leadership, and commitment to advancing the mission of Character Counts in Iowa. The award was then named after Ray as the founder and board chairman of The Ray Center.

The Cownies have been advocates of The Ray Center since its inception as Character Counts in Iowa in 1997. When Governor Ray first approached the Cownies about the concept of Character Counts in Iowa, Jim Cownie became instrumental in the development of the program’s business model and vision for the future. He continues to provide guidance to the organization.
Patty Cownie has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to volunteerism. She served on Drake University’s Board of Trustees from the 1999-2000 to 2013-2014 academic years and currently serves on the Iowa Board of Regents.

Jim Cownie is the founder of Heritage Communications, which became one of the nation’s largest cable operators before being sold to Tele-Communications, Inc., and owner of JSC Properties. He was inducted to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 2001.

Patty and Jim Cownies’ contributions of time and resources have made a significant impact on numerous organizations including the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, Meals from the Heartland, and Bravo Greater Des Moines.

Nominators said the Cownies demonstrate good character as well-known business professionals and philanthropists in central Iowa.

The Ray Center delivered 12 awards in nine categories during the July 29 Iowa Character Awards dinner. To see the full list of recipients, visit the Drake Newsroom. You can also see video of each award being handed out on YouTube.

News & Achievements Archive

Drake University Community Chorus begins rehearsal

The Drake University/Community Chorus is open to all singers, Drake and non-Drake alike, without audition. The ensemble will begin rehearsing for its Nov. 20 performance of music by Mozart, Brahms, and contemporary composers on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The choir rehearses each Tuesday, 6:30–8 p.m., in the Harmon Fine Arts Center under the direction of Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies at Drake. For further information, please contact her at aimee.beckmann-collier@drake.edu, 271-2841, or check the Music Department website.

—Kayla Jenkins, Interim Assistant to the Dean

News & Achievements Archive

Retirement party for Gretchen Beckley

Please save the date for Gretchen Beckley’s retirement party on Sept. 16, 3–5 p.m. in Levitt Hall.  Gretchen retired on July 31 after 29 years of employment at Drake. She started in Career Services and then served in International Programs and Services for 24 years. Please join Drake colleagues to wish Gretchen well!

—Denise Ganpat, Drake International

News & Achievements Archive

Bulldog accomplishments

CBPA Dean Terri Vaughan recognized
Terri Vaughan, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, recently was listed among the most influential people in the insurance industry. The July 2016 issue of Best’s Review, a monthly magazine covering the industry, profiled Vaughan among 24 key influencers “who saw new ways of doing things and took risks to go in new directions.”

Vaughan was named in recognition of her work as CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners from 2009 to 2012. In that role, she, “helped steer the organization through the recovery years after the Great Recession, helping identify, develop prioritize, and achieve regulatory modernization and other key initiatives.” Read more in the Drake Newsroom.

Shontavia Johnson named ABA top young lawyer
Shontavia Johnson, the Kern Family Chair in Intellectual Property Law and director of the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake University Law School, has been named one of the nation’s top young lawyers by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Johnson was selected to the ABA’s inaugural Top 40 Young Lawyers list, which recognizes young lawyers who exemplify high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service. Learn more about Shontavia in the Drake Newsroom.

Featured Events Archive

Drake Day at the Fair

This year’s Drake Day at the Iowa State Fair will begin and end on a high note. Show-stopping musical performances book-end Drake University’s annual celebration of students, alumni, faculty, and friends, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 12.

Student a capella group The Brocal Chords’ performance of the Star-Spangled Banner will broadcast across the Fairgrounds at 10 a.m. Grand Avenue Ruckus, an alumni-led New Orleans-style brass band, will perform in Drake’s tent along Grand Avenue, the major high-traffic thoroughfare alongside the Grandstand, from 3-4 p.m. Read more about Drake Day in the Drake Newsroom.