Category Archives: Archive

Strategic Updates Archive

From the President

In my message to campus a few weeks ago, I introduced our new continuous improvement site, www.drake.edu/conversations. We have already received thoughtful comments and questions through the site, and I encourage everyone to provide feedback throughout the process of transitioning to a continuous improvement model at Drake.

We have recently made a few additions to the site. A new page has been added about our ongoing Higher Learning Commission re-accreditation efforts. The idea of continuous improvement is an integral part of the HLC’s approach to accreditation, as it enables universities to more accurately measure the success of their efforts and be responsive to the needs of an evolving student body. I encourage you to view Craig Owens and Kevin Saunders’ video message on this topic. By adding the re-accreditation information to our continuous improvement site, we are better aligning ongoing efforts, streamlining communication channels, and, hopefully, increasing campus-wide engagement with the process. As we move forward with re-accreditation, you will be able to find progress updates on the site.

We have also added several campus units’ balanced scorecards to the Conversations site: College of Business and Public Administration, Office of University Communications, Office of Admission, and Office of Alumni Relations and Development. These units volunteered to create continuous improvement plans for their operations. I encourage you to take a look at these plans as tangible examples of the balanced scorecard, as well as to see how campus colleagues are embracing this change and working toward creating a stronger University for the future. One thing to remember—these plans will change. Like the University’s continuous improvement plan, with feedback and progress these unit scorecards will evolve over time.

Sincerely,

Marty

News & Achievements Archive

Drake news: Week of Nov. 23

New documentary on the horizon for Jody Swilky
Jody Swilky, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor of English and writer and co-producer of the award-winning documentary A Little Salsa on the Prairie: The Changing Character of Perry, Iowa, is working on a new project documenting the history and evolution of the Iowa State Penitentiary. The documentary is tentatively titled Serving Time: The Long Life of Iowa State Penitentiary.

Kathleen Richardson to be recognized
The Iowa Supreme Court will honor School of Journalism and Mass Communication Dean Kathleen Richardson for her strong voice in support of justice at a recognition program today. Drake Professor Emeritus of Journalism Herb Strentz will recognize Kathleen for her 15 years of service on the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a coalition of journalists, lawyers, educators, and other Iowans devoted to open government. Kathleen served as council’s executive director from 2000 to 2015.

Student opportunities at the #demdebate
In case you didn’t know, Drake hosted the nationally televised Democratic Presidential Debate last week. Go behind the scenes and check out one student’s experience working with CBS News.

News & Achievements Archive

Stand Up, Speak Up: A Drake University Women & Leadership Symposium

Save the date for “Stand Up, Speak Up: A Drake University Women & Leadership Symposium.” This unique, all-day event will take place on March 8, 2016, in the Olmsted Center’s Parents Hall. The symposium will feature some of Des Moines’ most accomplished female leaders as they share information on forging your leadership presence, building your network, and creating a concrete action plan.

As an added bonus, attendees will receive credit toward the Excellence in Learning & Development Certificate. Faculty and staff are welcome to join for all or part of the day, and lunch will be provided for registered attendees.

RSVP for the event at: http://tinyurl.com/DrakeWomenLead2016. For questions, please email any of the event organizers listed below.

Drake University Women and Leadership Committee:
Cris Wildermuth
Annique Kiel
Eliza Dy-Boarman
Stephanie Cardwell
Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp
Shelley Hurst
Debra Wiley
Alyssa Young
—Submitted by Eliza Dy-Boarman, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice

News & Achievements Archive

College of Arts & Sciences news: Week of Nov. 23

On Nov. 13, Drake students raised $5,000 in support of Drake’s Adult Literacy Center by organizing the Adult Spelling Bee at Olmsted Center. The event, sponsored by Bankers Trust, attracted nine corporate and Drake teams.

The students who organized the event were part of the course LEAD 100, Leadership: Influence and Change, led by Meghan Blancas and Jerry Parker; the course includes a service-learning project designed to promote positive social change at Drake and in our community. This is the second year in a row LEAD 100 has sponsored this event with assistance from the Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning.

—Submitted by Tom Westbrook, Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of Leadership Concentration

For Faculty Archive

Faculty Senate recap

The November 2015 meeting of the Faculty Senate included:

  • Updates regarding the provost search process and the upcoming campus visits in early December
  • Endorsement of six statements, which will inform discussions concerning learning outcomes for the general education curriculum
  • Acceptance of the reports from the University Curriculum Committee and the Drake Curriculum Analysis Committee (available here)

Faculty Senate’s next meeting will be held on Dec. 9.

—Submitted by Nancy Geiger, Student Information Analyst

For Students Archive

“How to Prepare for the Foreign Service Exam”

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs presents “How to Prepare for the Foreign Service Exam” on Monday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 234. Drake alumna Lauren Garza, AS’05, GR’09, will present.

Lauren currently serves as a public diplomacy desk officer for West Africa in the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She joined the State Department in 2009. Prior to this, Garza served as a consular officer in Monterrey, Mexico, and Vancouver, Canada. Lauren graduated from Drake with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Politics, and French. She received her Master of Public Administration from Drake in 2009 while working as a foreign student adviser and study abroad adviser.

In addition to having lived in Mexico and Canada, Lauren studied abroad in Nantes, France, and served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Gumi, South Korea. She is married with a one-year-old and an adopted street pooch from Mexico.

—Submitted by Drake International

Campus Announcements Archive

United Way/Iowa Shares campaign results

Thank you to everyone who pledged:

  • 208 total donors
  • 53 new participants to the campaign
  • 15 leadership gifts of $1,000+ (an increase of six leadership gifts from 2014)
  • $50,126 total raised: $44,967 for United Way; $5,159 for Iowa Shares

Together, we are affecting the lives of central Iowans and providing learning opportunities for our students who serve at more than 35 agencies supported by the campaign.

Click here to see if your received an incentive.

—Submitted by Renee Sedlacek, Interim Director, Community Engagement and Service Learning

Campus Announcements Archive

Safety on campus during winter

When ice and snow blanket campus, it’s important that individuals recognize the hazards of slippery surfaces. Here are helpful hints to help reduce the risk of falling when slippery conditions exist:

  • Wear boots or overshoes with slip-resistant soles. Avoid walking in shoes that have smooth surfaces, which increases the risk of slipping.
  • Be aware. Be alert to the possibility that you could quickly slip on an unseen patch of ice.
  • Walk cautiously. Your arms help keep you balanced, so keep hands out of pockets and avoid carrying heavy loads that may cause you to become off balance.
  • Walk “small.” Avoid an erect, marching posture. Look to see ahead of where you step. When you step on icy areas, take short, shuffling steps. You should also avoid walking on your toes or heels. On an icy or slippery surface, you want as much of the sole of your boot or shoe to connect with the surface as possible.
  • Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support.

Falls on ice can occur very quickly and usually there is very little opportunity to plan your landing. Regardless, there are a few precautions that can be taken to help reduce the severity of injury.
When a fall occurs:

  • Attempt to relax your muscles. It is very natural to tighten them in anticipation of landing on the ground. Injuries can be lessened when the muscles are relaxed.
  • Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, tailbone, or spine. When possible, you should attempt to fall on a fleshy part of your body, such as your side.
  • It’s important to attempt to adjust your body to avoid striking your head. If you begin to fall backwards, you should attempt to lift your head to prevent it from hitting the ground first.

Walking on icy and slippery surfaces can be hazardous. The best way to prevent a fall is to avoid the situation. But when avoidance is not possible, you should apply these tips. They can help to make the difference between a minor and a serious injury or, better yet, no injury at all.

—Submitted by Chris Nickell, Director, Environmental Health & Safety