The Special Interests Committee of All Staff Council is holding a Bulldogs Connect Networking Lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Come join us for $5 staff lunch at Hubbell Dining Hall.

Members of the Special Interest committee will be at each lunch and will bring networking topic suggestions. Anyone is welcome to come—bring a new Bulldog along with you! Look for the table with the Drake swag and a special Bulldogs Connect table tent in Hubbell! 

— Amelia Klatt, on behalf of All Staff Council

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Tuesday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. Late nominations will not be accepted.

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:

• A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service.
• An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation.
• Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others.”
• The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

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:

• Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
• Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
• Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
• Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University
• The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

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. The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary.

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2020 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 7 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Giving employees the opportunity to develop their skills is an important component of Drake’s culture. Here is a great learning opportunity, for those interested at Drake, to improve their English. Drake has a comprehensive Intensive English Program that offers intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you feel that you may need additional help in a certain English skill area, be it advanced academic writing, grammar, or speaking, or if you simply would like to improve your pronunciation, you may consider taking one of these classes. The best news is that all Drake employees can take IEP classes free of charge.

View the schedule of classes for Spring 2020. The classes currently offered are:

• Reading I and Reading II
• Writing I and Writing II
• Speaking/Listening I and Speaking/Listening II
• Grammar I and Grammar II
• Pronunciation and Spelling
• TOEFL Preparation
• American Culture (This class offers regular field trips to various Des Moines locations to help students learn more about the local culture, American values, and history. This semester’s trips may include the Des Moines Art Center, the Grand Blue Mile, the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge, and even a downtown bike tour!)

Please note that these classes are not credit-bearing.

Spring classes begin Monday, Jan. 27, and end Friday, May 8. The last day to register for a class is Friday, Jan. 31. You have an option of auditing a class at any time during the semester without registering.  If you are interested in joining one of the classes or have any questions about the program, please contact Dina Khayrushina at dina.khayrushina@drake.edu. Our office is located in the International Center on 25th Street.

— Dina Khayrushina, Drake International

Final grades for J-Term courses are due by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. If you have difficulty entering final grades, contact the Office of the Registrar at 271-2155 or registrar@drake.edu.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar