National Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 3, and we are celebrating YOU! Recognizing and celebrating employees’ great work—not only on this day but every day of the year—speaks to our core values.  Take time to reflect and find ways to show gratitude to your team for their hard work, dedication, and effort on this day, this month, and throughout the year.

To help show our appreciation, Human Resources and All Staff Council invite you to take a break and join us for the following Employee Appreciation Month events in March.

Pi-NGO! (BINGO)
Join All Staff Council and Human Resources on Tuesday, March 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Parents Hall South, Olmsted Center to celebrate National Pi Day with free pizza pies and BINGO.  This is a family-friendly event and winners will receive baked pie goods.  Griff II will be in attendance for part of the festivities and would love to take a photo with you.  Pizza is available while it lasts so get there early.

Faculty/Staff Recess
When we were kids, recess was a part of our day, but as adults we don’t take time to play.  As part of employee appreciation month, we invite faculty and staff to take a break from work on Tuesday, March 28, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and join us in the Bell Center Courts 1 & 2 for recess! Play nine holes of miniature golf, try pickleball, or challenge a colleague to a game of cornhole (bags). And test your hula hooping skills for a chance at prizes. All equipment will be provided.

Give a shout-out
In addition, we have brought back the popular Shout-Out program for Employee Appreciation Month. This is a great way to recognize your colleagues. Simply write a sentence or two thanking a colleague or team for going the extra mile or showing support to others. Submit your shout-outs to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 23, and they will be compiled and posted in OnCampus.

Griff II high-five
And watch your mail! All Staff Council will be sending 100 lucky staff members a magnet this week with a picture of Griff II ‘high-fiving’ you.  This is a way to say, “We see you, and we appreciate you.” If you receive one, keep it for a few days, then pass it along to another colleague who also deserves a high-five. The magnets can be handed off again and again, with the hopes of reaching as many of Drake’s amazing staff members as possible.

Please take some time this month to let others know you appreciate their efforts and know that your efforts are appreciated every day!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2023 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for this award can be found here.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The criteria to be eligible for this award can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 3.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

February is American Heart Month—a great time to be reminded about the importance of practicing heart-healthy habits. Not so fun fact: every 36 seconds in the U.S. someone dies from cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.

Do you know your risks? Risk factors include smoking, inactivity, high blood pressure, obesity/overweight, high cholesterol, and family history of heart disease. Although you can’t fix family history, no matter your age, you can take simple steps to lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Know your numbers. Get your annual physical and review your medical conditions with your primary care physician. This includes controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and weight.

Choose healthy foods and beverages. Add some heart-healthy recipes into your day and reduce the amount of sodium, sugar, and bad fats from your diet.

Get moving. Regular physical activity is a must for all ages. It could be as simple as walking more and sitting less. And don’t forget to add some resistance training. Moving your body has benefits beyond a healthy heart. It can help reduce stress, keep your joints healthy and improve brain function.

If you smoke – QUIT.  There are several online resources to help you reach this goal.

If you want to get started toward a healthier heart but don’t know where to begin, follow this 28-Days Toward a Healthy Heart chart.  These small steps could make a giant leap in your health!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources