Join the University Communications team for an exclusive preview of the new brand platform on Friday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in Sussman Theater. This faculty/staff event is an opportunity to learn about the brand strategy, what it means for the University, and how it will be brought to life. A separate preview will be held for students later this fall. Read more.
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Brand Preview: Learn why and how Drake will tell its story in a new way
This fall, Drake will begin telling its story in a bold and compelling way with the launch of a new brand strategy.
Join the University Communications team for an exclusive preview of the new brand platform on Friday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in Sussman Theater. This faculty/staff event is an opportunity to learn about the brand strategy, what it means for the University, and how it will be brought to life. A separate preview will be held for students later this fall.
The University, along with national branding firm, 160over90, began a comprehensive initiative this summer to elevate and energize the Drake brand. The initial discovery phase included a deep dive into understanding what makes Drake distinctive as experienced and defined by those who know us best—our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, external stakeholders, and community partners. That discovery process included both qualitative and quantitative research, which helped inform new messaging and a new creative direction.
Research findings confirmed that Drake is perceived as vibrant, engaged, accessible, globally aware, challenging, abundant, varied, valuable, spirited, and seriously fun. The University and 160over90 have leveraged these and other insights to start telling Drake’s amazing story in a fresh, relevant, and authentic way.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how the Drake brand will be transformed, and what you can do to help foster an even more powerful reputation and long-term success for the University.
—Dave Remund, University Communications
Professional headshot drop-in hours
University Communications will host a monthly drop in session for professional headshots. The reoccurring photo session will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the first Monday of every month at the University Communications office located at 1229 25th St. The first session will take place Monday, Oct. 2.
For questions, contact: Genna Clemen, genna.clemen@drake.edu
—Justice Simpson, University Communications
University Communications endows scholarship
The Office of University Communications has endowed a scholarship after reaching its $25,000 threshold in Fiscal Year 17. Funded mostly by personal donations, the Marketing and Communications Endowed Scholarship (which was named before the office changed names to University Communications) will benefit undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are studying graphic design, marketing, or communications. Students interested in the scholarship will apply through financial aid directly.
The idea to create the scholarship came from staff member Tim Schmitt, GR ‘08,’10, who has worked in the communications office for 12 years. He got the idea for the scholarship while working on an article about the difficulty some students have affording a college education.
“I decided that rather than just discussing the problem, I should take real action,” Schmitt said. “I realized that the people I work with shared my concerns and I also realized that, collectively, we could do more than just wring our hands over the problem and do something to make a difference.”
Once the idea for a scholarship was brought forward the entire staff responded enthusiastically and committed to making it happen.
The scholarship was funded almost entirely by personal donations from the employees in the office. The office initiated various fundraisers throughout the endowment process, which took approximately five years. They ran some silent auction fundraisers through a Facebook page, organized benefit concerts from bands that consisted of Drake faculty and staff, held food challenges, and ran office garage sales.
— Niki Smith, University Communications