Last month, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated the Athletics Department with a surprise treat delivery, compliments of Drake Dining. This spotlight below provides a few facts about the Athletics Department. Thank you to the department for everything they do to make Drake a great place!

How many staff members are in the department? 90

What is the primary function of the team? Do you have a mission/vision/motto?  Our team’s mission is to serve and positively change the world through sport, one student-athlete at a time. Our culture is defined by what we call ‘Living the Bulldog Way’.  The Bulldog Way is articulated through the following touchstone: 

We act with INTEGRITY
We demonstrate an uncompromising COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
We OUT WORK and OUT HUSTLE our opponent in pursuit of CHAMPIONSHIPS
We desire the BEST FOR and expect the BEST FROM each other
We MAXIMIZE OUR POTENTIAL by ASPIRING TO GREATNESS
WE LIVE THE BULLDOG WAY.

Who has been with the team the longest, and what is their job title and length of employment?  Charlie DiSilvestro, Head Rowing Coach, hired in July of 1993.

Who is the newest team member, and what is their job title and month/year of start? Katie Walker, Assistant Volleyball Coach, started January 24, 2019

What campus buildings do your team members “live” in? Our team occupies offices north of Forest, in the Fieldhouse, Bell Center, Knapp Center, and Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

What are some recent challenges and accomplishments of note that others in the University might not know about? Recently, we were scheduled to host a men’s basketball game on the night of the Polar Vortex. Classes were canceled and offices were closed, but the game would still go on. With the impending weather, we weren’t sure if we would get any fans to the game. Our department collaborated with several other units on campus to generate student interest in attending. Thanks to these partnerships, we were able to safely transport students to and from the game, and provide a fun experience with free food, t-shirts, and music, while setting a season high for student attendance at a single game!  

Anything else noteworthy/interesting/special about your department that bears mentioning?

• Last semester, our student-athletes posted a cumulative GPA of 3.29 (the strongest fall semester in recorded history)
  • 44 of our 362 student-athletes recorded a 4.0 GPA
  • 71.8% of our student-athletes recorded a GPA of at least 3.0
• Two student-athletes were named Academic All-Americans (Jacob Bacon, Football; Linda Fiorito, Women’s Soccer)
  • Drake has been recognized with 10 Academic All-Americans since the start of the 2017 school year, the most of any institution in the Missouri Valley Conference
• Our department is on pace to eclipse 4,000 hours of community service this year (2 years ago, our athletes recorded fewer than 2,400 hours of community service)
• We strive to get each student-athlete an international study abroad experience with their teams before they graduate.  This year, football took a trip to China, and our men’s and women’s soccer programs traveled to Mexico.  During these experiences, student-athletes participate in an academic course, compete in their respective sports, and serve in the community where they travel.

Cathy Williams, University Advancement

Last fall, the All Staff Council Recognition Committee presented Called to Be True Blue Awards to seven deserving staff members. A staff member or team that is True Blue epitomizes the values of excellence, integrity, leadership, teamwork, and commitment to the Drake community. Here’s a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist, Human Resources
“Linda is always positive, always smiling, and epitomizes joyful accountability for Drake University.” “Linda truly embodies the word ‘partner’ and is a shining example of someone willing to work across departments to promote new initiatives, build relationships and create our vibrant campus culture. Drake is a better place because Linda works here!”

Jenny Reitano, Director, Graduate Student Programs, CBPA
“When I think of a leader within the CBPA that continuously works together for the betterment of our team, Jenny instantly comes to mind. She is a strategic leader focused on our team goal of fostering a sense of community across graduate programs.”

Diana Newman, Business Manager, CPHS
“Diana epitomizes the values of leadership, teamwork, and integrity, and exhibits her commitment to Drake on a daily basis. We are very fortunate at Drake and in the CPHS to have Diana Newman on our team. She is a deserving employee that has consistently gone above and beyond.”

Suzanne Wisslead, Assistant Director, Admission
“Suzanne surpasses expectations when questions arise…and never under delivers! I appreciate her view of bettering Drake University from the very first point of contact.”

Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student and Parent Programs, Academic Excellence and Student Success
“Marina is an incredible member of the Drake community who made an instant impact in her very first year here, and continues to challenge herself to grow programs, try new things, and improve the impact of her programs on students.”

Erin Bell, Live Mascot Director, Athletics
“From striving to find new and unique ways to share Griff with the world, to always being friendly and warm with our constituents and fellow staff, to saying yes and finding ways to squeeze in one more appearance in a jam packed calendar to embodying our mission, Drake is lucky to have Erin Bell.” “Erin Bell not only shows us all what it means to be True Blue, she is forging a path to inspire all of us to go beyond that and to help those around us.”

Congratulations to all of our True Blue honorees!

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Friday, March 29. 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 2019 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 9 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist

Road Trip to Drake, formerly known as the Chicago Bus Trip, is a 15+ year tradition and we want everyone to be a part of it. This Sunday and Monday, Drake is hosting over 180 prospective high school seniors for an overnight visit that will help solidify that Drake is the place they all will call home next fall. Let’s showcase why we love being a bulldog and why we bleed blue. On Monday, Feb. 18, we ask that all faculty/staff wear Drake blue.

Josefina Lopez Valdivia, Admission Counselor

Alumni want to stay connected to Drake by contributing to today’s student experience. Do you plan to have an alumnus speak in your classroom, participate in a career fair, serve on a panel, or mentor a student this semester?

If your answer is yes, there is an easy way to let Alumni Relations know so we can measure engagement, track interests, and communicate opportunities with our alumni. Please use the online form on the University Advancement Web page, or the link on myDrake under Employee Quick Links to submit your alumni engagement.

This past year we received notice that alumni volunteered in Drake classes more than 215 times. Please help us again this semester by using the submission form and helping us track this important alumni engagement.

Andy Verlengia, Director of Alumni Relations

Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets to the Men’s Basketball game vs. Valparaiso on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Knapp Center. Tickets may be picked up at the Knapp Center Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

Please plan to attend the Provost’s Drake Social on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 4 – 6 pm, at Shivers Hospitality Suite. 

Help us celebrate and honor those who have been nominated as examples of our third Drake Core Value: All in This Together. From among those nominated, three names will be chosen at random to receive prizes. We will also share the new Drake Core Value video for All in This Together. 

As always, come to enjoy conversation, snacks, and beer, wine or soft drinks.

Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

It was once good advice to “look for the padlock” as a means of determining which shopping, finance, and other sites were legitimate versus those that were phishing. Unfortunately, scammers have caught on to this advice and today, about 50% of phishing websites include the padlock and begin with https://, like the example below:

In reality, this information only signifies that data being transmitted to and from the site is encrypted and can’t be intercepted by third parties. It does not guarantee the site’s legitimacy or that it hasn’t been hijacked.

Instead of relying on the padlock clue, it’s important to carefully examine the full URL to ensure it matches the legitimate site. If an email or another web page invites you to visit a site via a link, think about the context, and consider typing the site’s web address manually instead.

If you receive an email that you suspect is phishing, don’t click any links, download any attachments, or reply. ITS will be continuing phishing education this month using emails that mimic real attacks.

For more information on how to report phishing emails, see the IT Service Portal guide, Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

The Principal Center for Global Citizenship invites nominations for the Global Scholars/Practitioners-in-Residence program, which seeks to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the development of the institution as a whole through fruitful external collaborations.

Nomination Instructions:

Candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Please submit the following supporting materials: 
• A nomination letter discussing the qualifications of the candidate and expected contributions to the life of the University
• Candidate’s biographical information
• A letter of interest from the candidate
• A letter of support from the unit dean

Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by March 1. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with PCGC Acting Director Jeff Kappen. 

Among the criteria to be considered are:
1. A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in any field.
2. A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship.
3. An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to the Drake community. 
4. A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standards.

In recognition of their contributions, Global Scholars/Practitioners receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace, and access to all University facilities. Global Scholars/Practitioners will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for at least one semester and offer at least one course per term.

Jeff Kappen, Associate Professor