As we wind down Employee Appreciation Month, we share gratitude for all members of the Drake community who have sustained a commitment to our mission during these challenging and uncertain times.

Commitment to Mission.

• We are united in service to students and our communities.
• We act with integrity and purpose.
• We are optimistic about our future.

Universities are unlike many other employers—we’re not providing an arm’s length service, we’re not creating a product that gets sold on the market, and we’re not temporarily serving a customer who may never return to our store.

We’re educating students and many of them live on our campus. We build life-long relationships with them with the goal of empowering each of them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for them to achieve their professional goals and contribute to society. Some words from President Martin’s email to campus in June of 2016 that still inspire:

Education opens minds and hearts – it creates understanding and union where none existed before. This is what we are about and we have our role to play in making the world a better place by becoming ever more engaged, locally and globally.

Put another way, there’s a lot at stake here. We all know this and it shows. We know that our work matters—there’s a larger picture here, a greater purpose. Drake faculty, staff, and student workers have moved mountains to sustain this commitment to our students during this roller-coaster ride of the past two years. We are so appreciative of the agility and determination of our employees that has allowed this institution to sustain our commitment to our important mission.

In many ways, the work of an institution of higher education has optimism built into it. We all know that we are contributing to something larger than ourselves. We are cultivating the next generation of professionals, thinkers, and doers. The research our faculty conduct contributes to their professions. The support and opportunities we provide students can have a life-changing impact. Our students will remember their time at Drake for the rest of their lives. And we do everything we can to assure those memories are meaningful and positive.

Thank you for your commitment to the institution, to the students we serve, and to each other. The road ahead will still have bumps and dips—all roads do—but we are headed in an exciting direction. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your contributions. Thank you for caring about what we do and how we do it.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources; Nate Reagen, Office of the President

There was a lovely turnout for the Provost’s Drake Social in the Cowles Library Reading Room last week. As part of the event, the following were recognized by colleagues for exhibiting the Drake Core Values: 

Joyful Accountability 

• Nicci Kuhl 
• Gina Ryan 
• Jeanette Tran 
• Jamie Rognes 
• Rachel Allen-McHugh 
• Grace Wenzel 

Generosity of Spirit 

• Teresa Downs 
• Elizabeth Robertson 
• Rachel Allen- McHugh, 
• Christine Urish 
• Lynne Cornelius 

All In This Together 

• Molly Wuebker 
• Jamie Rognes 
• Yolanda Griffiths 
• Joan McAlister 
• David Plutschack 
• Jeannie Nielsen 
• Leah Berte

Commitment to Mission 

• Christine Urish 
• Nate Reagen 
• Violeta Aleman 
• Beth Younger 
• Molly Wuebker 

Prize winners were drawn at random, and were: 

• Lynne Cornelius – $20 gift card for Lucky Horse 
• Nate Reagen – Office snack break 
• Jeanette Tran – Baked good
  

Two prizes were also won based on Trivia questions: 

• Samantha Nordstrom – Office breakfast 
• Carrie Dunham LaGree – Premiere Parking 

The next Drake Social will be Monday, April 11, in Shivers Hospitality Suite. If you want to nominate a colleague for Core Values recognition, please fill out our Qualtrics form. 

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources has been sharing shout-outs submitted by faculty and staff.  Thanks to everyone who participated this month.

Even though Employee Appreciation Month is ending, we hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus.  Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving not only their lives, but your own.

Read the final shout-outs submitted this week!

“A shout-out to Sara Hughes and Kris Magill, who have time and again stepped in to help (save) the Career Development Office through our busiest times with staff shortages. We appreciate you and all that you do for us on top of your own jobs!” – Katie Overberg

“A shout-out to Brett Lindman for being so easy to work with.  I know that I can count on him for whatever is needed.  Thanks Brett! You are appreciated.” – Cheri McDaniel

“A shout-out to the accounting department: Thank you for researching and implementing the new self-serve system.  Your patience with those of us learning the new system is noted and appreciated. “– Cheri McDaniel

“A shout-out to Natalie Russell and her staff for helping The Ray Center mail out so many packages.  You guys rock!” – Cheri McDaniel

“A shout-out to Linda Feiden for organizing and collecting emails for BUILD professional development sessions. Thanks for your hard work Linda! – Cheri McDaniel

“A shout-out to Sara Sommerlot for everything she did last fall to assist our department in selecting and ordering Drake branded wellbeing incentives.  She helped guide the process through from start to finish and made sure we had it by the deadline.  Thanks so much Sara!” – Linda Feiden

“A shout-out to Ryan Parriott, Lisa Murphy, and their staff in making sure the inaugural Faculty/Staff “Recess” event was successful.  Thank you for your “All in This Together” attitude and your “Generosity of Spirit” in giving your time.” – Linda Feiden

“A shout-out of appreciation to Kelly Foster, Donita Greenough, and Chris Nickell for their work to improve safety and risk related processes and training.  They have demonstrated an ability to implement new processes on topics like vehicle safety and domestic travel in a way that accomplishes the goal of greater safety and security, while at the same time ensuring processes are not unduly burdensome or repetitive. They collectively do a great job working with others across campus and have built strong relationships that make the roll out of new programs more effective and sustainable.” – Venessa Macro

“A big shout out of thanks and admiration to Anne Kremer, Deneen Dygert and the entire Admissions staff for managing and adjusting to many shifts in protocol and programming throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They have managed through many challenging situations with grace and generous spirits; never relenting in their focus on delivering effective and impactful admission programming.” – Venessa Macro

“A shout-out to the Finance & Administration and ITS teams for their grueling work rolling out and tweaking Finance Self Serve.” – Sara Sommerlot

“A shout-out to the All Staff Council Governance Committee for commitment to running a clean and fair All Staff Council nomination process.” – Sara Sommerlot