Two SJMC seniors have been nominated for Emmy awards in the Upper Midwest Regional Student Television Awards of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Sam Fathallah was nominated in the commercial category, and Anna Steenson was nominated in the animation and director categories. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on April 13 in Minneapolis.
— Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Renae Chesnut, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, served as a panelist at the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Women’s 25th Celebration Brunch on Friday, March 9, at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. Chesnut was Drake’s long-time faculty athletics representative.
The brunch featured panels with MVC pioneers and leaders as the league recognized and honored members of the 25th Anniversary Women’s Basketball Team.
The event was part of the MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament that was held March 8-11 at TaxSlayer Center.
Women’s sports were incorporated into the MVC in 1992, having previously competed under the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference banner from 1982-1992. The 2017-2018 season is a landmark one for the conference and women’s sports, celebrating the 45th anniversary of Title IX and the 25th anniversary of women’s sports in the MVC.
Chesnut was one of 12 members of the Leaders and Pioneers Panel moderated by MVC Hall of Famer and former Illinois State women’s basketball head coach Jill Hutchinson. Chesnut was the lone faculty athletics representative on the panel and served in that capacity for 16 years from 2000-2016. In that role, she represented Drake student-athletes, coaches and faculty in MVC and NCAA affairs and chaired numerous committees during her tenure. That leadership included serving as the president of the MVC Presidents’ Council in 2004-2005 and 2013-2014.
Dr. Chesnut was one of a slew of Drake representatives honored at the brunch as three Bulldogs were named earlier to the MVC Women’s Basketball 25-Year Team. Drake earned three honorees on the 10-woman roster with Carla Bennett (1999-03), Tricia Wakely (1992-96) and Lizzy Wendell (2013-17) being named members of the illustrious squad.
— Mikayla Olson, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
In the spirit of continuous improvement, Human Resources is working with an advisory group of faculty and staff to obtain feedback on how to improve the performance management program and enhance management training and development. The team has provided ideas on how to ensure performance reviews become more meaningful and effective. In addition, they plan to provide input on topics where managers would benefit from additional training and resources. Mary Alice Hill, director of HR Partner Services, would like to recognize the following group members for their time and thoughtful ideas.
Tricia Atterberg, College of Arts and Sciences
Marilea Chase, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Renae Chesnut, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Dan Connolly, School of Business and Public Administration
Scott Law, Public Safety
Brandi Miller, Student Financial Planning
Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Heather Travis, Finance and Administration
Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office
If you have ideas to suggest, you are encouraged to share them with any member of the team.
— Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources
Members of the Human Resources team will be available Thursday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center’s Drake Room. This is a convenient opportunity for you to talk with HR Partner Services about any HR topic that’s on your mind. You’re also welcome to schedule a meeting at the HR offices, 3206 University Avenue, if another time works better for you. We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your ideas for making Drake an even better place to work.
— Debra Wiley, Human Resources
Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2019 by completing a wellness screening this year. If you are on Drake’s health plan and currently enrolled in the Wellness Premium Incentive Program, you must complete a wellness screening annually to retain your savings. There are three ways to complete your screening:
If you have a physical, with bloodwork, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the results can be submitted as your wellness screening.
New this year: You will NOT be required to complete an online wellness assessment. You only need to complete the wellness screening to receive the premium incentive.
For questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Drake faculty and staff have access to a number of services and events for free or at discounted prices. The only problem is that we often don’t know about them. If your department offers any employee perks and discounts, or you know of a perk or discount from outside of your area, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. This information will be collected and shared on blueView for easy access.
Benefits could include internal perks such as discounted tickets to Drake events or free Microsoft Office software for home computers, or an external discount such as those through Verizon, AT&T and Interstate Batteries.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award and the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 30, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.
Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award
Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:
Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award
The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:
To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.
A nomination letter detailing specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria is desirable. Additional letters of support are not necessary. A review committee will make award recommendations to the President’s Council.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
On Thursday, March 29, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Stage, President Martin will meet with facilities and staff to discuss the University’s draft of core values. This casual gathering will include a chance to provide feedback and ask questions about the core values. If you’d like to suggest a topic for Q&A, please contact Nancy Geiger at nancy.geiger@drake.edu or at extension 3095. The meeting is presented by All Staff Council.
— Nancy Geiger, Office of the Registrar/All Staff Council
Students must submit their applications to Drake International by April 1 for all fall study abroad programs. Students can submit their applications online.
— Karen Williams, Drake International
Faculty, midterm grades for spring classes are due by 10 a.m. on Monday, March 26. You may enter midterm grades through blueView, MyDUSIS, or Blackboard. Thank you for submitting your grades on time at such a busy time of year.
—Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar