Drake All Staff Council is proud to announce the first 2016–2017 recipient of the Called to be True Blue Award, which recognizes staff members who go above and beyond to make a difference in the Drake community. The award was presented to Joyce Sharp, who served as administrative assistant for budget and finance for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the past 16 years and retired at the end of October. The following is a small excerpt of Joyce’s nomination, submitted by Melissa Rice:

“Joyce goes above and beyond to be helpful to faculty, staff, and students. While at Drake for the last 16 years, Joyce has epitomized the values of leadership, teamwork, integrity, and commitment to the Drake community … She is a mentor and friend to her student workers—attending their pinning, hooding, and graduation ceremonies; meeting their parents; taking them out to lunch for their birthdays; staying in touch with them after graduation; attending their weddings, in some cases; and even taking one student worker to the emergency room … Joyce is one of the ‘greats.’”

Do you know someone who’s Called to be True Blue?

Called to be True Blue recognizes a staff member who:

1. Epitomizes the values of leadership, teamwork, and integrity, and exhibits their commitment to the Drake community
2. Has shown others what it takes to get a task or project done, and accomplishes that by working well with others
3. Is able to be honest and fair in the situations they face
4. Does all of these things for the betterment of Drake and its values and goals

If this sounds like anyone you know, please nominate them by filling out the online form at www.drake.edu/asc/recognition. Please be specific when nominating, and provide detail on how the nominee meets each value.

At the conclusion of the academic year, each “Called to be True Blue” recipient will be in the running to receive a Sapphire Award, the highest recognition of a staff member at Drake.

—All Staff Council Recognition Committee