Reminder: The time for your Big Ideas is now! Submissions for Drake University’s Big Ideas initiative is open now through Feb. 15. Proposals can be submitted on the Big Ideas website. 

The Big Ideas initiative calls upon Drake faculty, staff, and students to develop bold, forward-thinking ideas which dramatically advance Drake’s strengths and mission, and create momentum for the University’s next comprehensive campaign. Since the submission period opened on Jan. 14, seven proposals have been submitted.

For those who have already submitted a Big Idea or planning to submit an idea, consider joining the Drake University Big Ideas Facebook Collaboration Group. The private Facebook group is a place where faculty and staff can collaborate and seek insight around which to enhance their Big Idea. In addition, submitters are encouraged to utilize members of the Big Ideas Steering Committee as a resource for support and feedback.

For those in the process of forming a proposal, think about what will advance the University for decades to come. What will transform lives in our local communities, throughout our state, across the nation, or around the world? What will inspire students to forge meaningful personal lives and accomplished futures? No idea is too big.

John Smith, University Advancement

Drake’s Big Ideas submission period is open! The Big Ideas initiative calls upon Drake faculty, staff, and students to develop bold, forward-thinking ideas which dramatically advance Drake’s strengths and mission, and create momentum for the University’s next comprehensive campaign.

As you develop your Big Ideas, think about what will advance the University for decades to come. What will transform lives in our local communities, throughout our state, across the nation, or around the world? What will inspire students to forge meaningful personal lives and accomplished futures? No idea is too big.

For those who have already submitted a Big Idea or are in the process of forming a proposal, consider joining the Drake University Big Ideas Facebook Collaboration Group. The private Facebook group is a place where faculty and staff can collaborate and seek insight around which to enhance their Big Idea. In addition, submitters are encouraged to utilize members of the Big Ideas Steering Committee as a resource for support and feedback.

Proposals can be submitted on the Big Ideas website. The deadline is Feb. 15. For questions about the initiative, contact John Smith, vice president, University Advancement, at john.smith@drake.edu, or a member of the Big Ideas Steering Committee.

The Big Ideas initiative is an opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Thank you for your commitment to advancing the University.

John Smith, University Advancement

Construction on The Ray Promenade is transforming 27th Street east of Collier-Scripps Hall. Fences are starting to come down around the project and plantings have been installed on the north half of the promenade.

In the next couple of weeks, the rest of the concrete walkways will be poured and pavers will be installed in the main area. The contractor will continue to backfill topsoil and clean up the site. Due to the timing and weather, the rest of the plantings and final seeding on the south half will occur mid-August as temperature allows for the best survival of the plants.

Stretching from Forest Avenue to the Painted Street, the promenade will serve as an outdoor classroom, performance venue, meeting location, and picnic destination while adding beauty and greenspace to campus. It is scheduled to be completed in fall 2018.

— Kevin Moran, Facilities Planning and Management

Drake’s new internal campus portal, myDrake, is now live. Visit my.drake.edu to access your new gateway to campus information, resources, and functions. You’ll see links to the tools you need whether you’re student, faculty, staff, parent, or have several different roles.

Once you sign into myDrake, your login credentials will automatically be shared with additional applications, like MyDUSIS. ITS staff is working on connecting as many campus systems as possible through single sign-on (SSO), so the number of systems that require a second login will continue to decrease.

Not sure how to get started with using myDrake? Visit the IT service portal guides. You can also find answers to your questions by viewing a list of FAQs.

blueView isn’t being removed quite yet, but we hope that you’ll start using myDrake right away.

Let us know what you think of the new portal. Feel free to email Carla Herling or project manager Jeff Regan, or fill out a Qualtrics feedback form.

— Carla Herling, ITS

Drake is proud to be located in the Drake Neighborhood, one of the largest, oldest, and most diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. There’s so much to love about the neighborhood—its incredible people, beautiful trees, unique shops and restaurants, and diverse architecture.

https://www.facebook.com/DrakeUniversity/videos/10156219582164469/

Watch this video created by the Drake Neighborhood Association to see what the people who live, study, work, and play here have to say. Share the video on your social networks to spread awareness for the great things taking place in the Drake Neighborhood. And, remember, the University provides a financial incentive for faculty and staff who purchase a home within a defined area surrounding campus.

The University is looking forward to further enhancing the neighborhood with the addition of the Boys and Girls Club on campus and the University Avenue development project.

We need more responses. Thank you to everyone who has already completed the Great Colleges To Work For survey. We have not yet reached our participation goal, but there is still time. The survey will close after the end of the business day on Friday, March 2. Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard. Your feedback is valued.

The survey was distributed by email to faculty and staff on Monday, Feb. 19. If you have not received your survey invitation or have other questions about the Great Colleges To Work For survey, contact Gary Johnson, director, HR operations, at gary.johnson@drake.edu or 515-271-4804.

Find an FAQ with more information here.

— Gary Johnson, Human Resources

Five years ago, a powerful tradition began. Get ready for the best year yet. All In, Drake’s annual 24-hour giving campaign, encourages the entire Drake community to support, share, and celebrate all that makes Drake great. Faculty and staff are invited to celebrate All In during a social on Thursday, April 5, from 3:30–5:30 in the lower level of Collier-Scripps Hall. Enjoy beer, wine, or a non-alcoholic drink along with snacks while socializing with your colleagues from across campus. You can learn more about All In and get up-to-date information about the campaign by liking our Facebook page, Drake All In.

Last year, 183 faculty and staff went All In, and overall, the campaign raised almost $155,000 from 852 donors. With your help, this year will be even more successful! So, join your fellow Bulldogs on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6, noon to noon, to give back, spread the word, and go All In!

— Becca Widmer, University Advancement