Faculty and staff are invited to register for the Faculty/Staff Golf League, which takes place Wednesday evenings from May 25 to July 27. Costs range from $90 to $135 per person. Registration is due by May 6—click here for more details. Questions can be directed to jordan.grindeland or 515-271-3522.
—Jordan Grindeland, Intramural Coordinator
Who: All faculty and staff
What: Kickball Tournament and Summer Social (refreshments and additional lawn games will be provided)
When: Wednesday, May 18, 2–4 p.m.—come and go as you please
Where: Helmick Commons (rain location will be the Fieldhouse)
Why: All Staff Council would like to thank YOU for another great year of service. Join us for an afternoon of fun, and start drafting your kickball team! Watch for the team sign-up in May.
We hope you can join us, contact Kerwin Dobbins (kerwin.dobbins@drake.edu) with any questions about this event.
—All Staff Council Communications Committee
This past fall and winter, when the national political spotlight shone brightly on Drake, it was the Political Visitor Team who orchestrated it all. Led by Rachel Paine Caufield, associate professor of politics and director of the Iowa Caucus Project, the team includes Jarad Bernstein, director of public relations and media management; Scott Law, director, campus security services; and Matt Miller, University events manager. The group was awarded a “Called to be True Blue” Award on April 8 for their efforts.
With the support of myriad staff members, facilities managers, and others, the Political Visitor Team successfully organized 27 events varying in size, complexity, and visibility, including three major national media events with CBS, CNN, and Fusion TV.
“The practical effects of the Political Visitor Team’s efforts have been felt broadly across the University,” noted the award nominator. “Members have been tireless advocates for the University, putting forward immense time and energy to ensure success. The team’s work has elevated the public face of the University, strengthened institutional ties to the community, encouraged democratic citizenship, and provided outstanding student learning opportunities.
Every interested member of the Drake community has had unprecedented opportunities to directly interact with the national political environment in a very tangible way.”
The team is the final True Blue entry of the fiscal year, and is in the running to win top honors for staff accomplishment at the All-Staff Council Sapphire Awards event, held Tuesday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in Levitt Hall. Please join us!
—Submitted by All Staff Council Recognition Committee
All faculty and staff are invited to join President Martin for a special reception immediately following inauguration. The reception will begin after the ceremony, around 3 p.m., and take place on the Wifvat Plaza in front of the Turner Jazz Center. Join us for refreshments and to congratulate President Martin.
—Joseph Schneider, Inauguration Co-Chair
Faculty and staff who are wearing academic regalia and sitting with the floor party, please note that robing for the inauguration ceremony will begin no later than 12:30 p.m. in the women’s gym of the Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. To access the gym, enter through the Bell Center and proceed to The Knapp Center court. Walk across the Knapp floor, behind the stage curtain to the east, and you will see an entrance titled “Women’s Basketball.” Proceed straight ahead down the corridor to the women’s gym. Once inside the gym, there will be personnel and signage to direct you. All wearing regalia should be at the gym no later than 1 p.m. The procession onto the Knapp Center floor will commence at 1:15 p.m.
If you have ordered or rented your regalia from the University Bookstore, you will need to pick it up from the University Bookstore prior to the event.
—Joseph Schneider, Inauguration Co-Chair
If you’re considering a graduate degree through Drake’s College of Business & Public Administration (CBPA), we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming information sessions. The CBPA offers four graduate programs including a Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Financial Management, or Master of Public Administration all available in an evening and weekend format. RSVP today at www.drake.edu/mba/info
—Dianna Gray, Outreach Coordinator
Drake University’s Executive Education Center announced this week a new series of professional development courses. The Talent Development Series’ half-day courses focus on a variety of topics within the areas of leadership, business acumen, and strategy. Courses are taught by Drake faculty and outside practitioners. Staff interested in taking a course should talk with their manager about covering the cost of a course under professional development funds. Questions can be directed to execed@drake.edu.
You are invited to relax, connect, and celebrate with colleagues at the All Staff Council Sapphire Awards. This annual event honors all Called to be True Blue Award recipients from the 2015–2016 academic year, with Sapphire Awards going to top individual and group award winners.
Please join us for refreshments, entertainment, and connection as we come together to honor your hard work and commitment while giving special recognition to colleagues.
The 2016 Sapphire Awards
Levitt Hall, Old Main
Tuesday, April 19
2–3 p.m.
Presentation begins at 2:15 p.m.
See you there!
—All Staff Council
Nominations are invited from Drake faculty and staff for the Principal Financial Group Global Citizenship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to global engagement and internationalization of the campus and curriculum on the part of faculty or staff. The selected awardee will receive a plaque and up to $3,000. The winner will be announced at the Aug. 19 Learning Symposium. A screening committee, appointed by the provost, will review all nominations and make recommendations to the provost.
The nominee must be a faculty or staff member in at least the fourth year of service at the University. The nominee cannot have won this award within the past five years. Faculty and staff members who report directly to the vice provost for international programs are ineligible.
The letter of nomination is due no later than May 16. The letter should be sent as an attachment to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu). See guidelines and more information at: www.drake.edu/cgc/faculty/award
—Drake International
The All Staff Council invites all staff to attend a meeting with President Martin.
Where: Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center
When: Friday, April 15
Time: 9–10 a.m.
All staff are encouraged to come and share their thoughts and recommendations on the University’s draft of the continuous improvement plan. In order to be best prepared to contribute, you are encouraged to review President Martin’s most recent video on the continuous improvement plan and the associated hand-outs, both of which can be accessed on the Conversations site.
Refreshments will be provided.
—All Staff Council
