Category Archives: For Staff Archive

2016 Sapphire Awards

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

Principal Financial Group Global Citizenship Award

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

All staff meeting with President Martin

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

Ron and Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service-Learning Student Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Ron and Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service-Learning Student Award. Nominations are due Friday, April 8, at 5 p.m. The selected awardee will receive $500 and will be recognized at the Adams Leadership Convocation April 22 at 12:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.

A letter of nomination should be submitted speaking to the award criteria.

Ron and Jane Olson established the Outstanding Global Service-Learning Award to recognize outstanding participation in global-service learning initiatives. Criteria for the award include:

  • Engaged in intentional global service-learning opportunities
  • Demonstrated an on-going commitment to global service-learning
  • Exhibited values that encourage global service-learning
  • Supported continuation of global service-learning efforts

The nominee must be a current student at Drake.

Nomination Process

The letter of nomination is due to Global Service-Learning Coordinator Maria Rohach no later than April 8. The letter should be sent as an attachment to maria.rohach@drake.edu. A committee of faculty and staff will review all nominations and make recommendations to the vice provost for international programs.

—Maria Rohach

RSVP for inauguration today!

Today, March 21, is the last day to order your academic regalia for the lowest price if you plan to participate in the procession during Inauguration. (You can order after today, but the price will go up.) Any faculty or staff member can participate in the procession (must wear academic regalia). Whether you plan to participate in the procession or simply attend and sit in general seating, please RSVP to joseph.schneider@drake.edu. More information can be found at www.drake.edu/inauguration.

Learn how to manage change

Continue your professional development, work towards the ELD Certificate, and learn how to manage change!

Change is constant. However, findings show that people don’t mind changes so much; they mind “being” changed. Take charge of the changes you find yourself in and learn tools to navigate through the “Four Step Change” process. Join Jul Bruns, Employee and Family Resources’ workplace services consultant, to learn how to respond positively to resistance and apply resiliency to grow and adapt. This will be held Thursday, March 24, 9–11 a.m., in Olmsted Center, Room 310-311.

Participants will receive two credits toward the Excellence in Learning & Development certificate. For the list of remaining programs, visit the Learning and Development site, accessible through blueView.

—Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

True blue service: Tyler Spoon

Tyler Spoon, database administrator with Information Technology Services, was surprised March 4 at a departmental meeting with the Called to be True Blue Award. He was nominated for the honor by the human resources department, which lauded his excellent customer service, proactivity in responding to issues or requests, high level of expertise, integrity, professionalism, willingness to go the extra mile, and unfailingly positive attitude. In their nomination of Tyler, HR department members wrote:

“Tyler is always very willing to assist and will go out of his way to research and find a solution even if it is not technically in his area. I have never had him reply that it is not his responsibility … He has never made me feel inadequate with my lack of computer knowledge. He follows through with every request HR has sent to him. Tyler is our ‘go-to guy’ on campus.”

Tyler received a certificate and gift card, and is now in the running, along with other True Blue Award winners nominated before Friday, March 18, to win top honors for staff accomplishment at the All Staff Council Sapphire Awards event April 19.

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

—All Staff Council Communications Committee

Ron and Jane Olson Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty/Staff award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Ron and Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service-Learning Faculty/Staff Award. Nominations are due Friday, April 8, at 5 p.m. The selected awardee will receive a $500 award and will be recognized at the Faculty Awards and Honors Luncheon in May.

Ron and Jane Olson established the Outstanding Global Service-Learning Award to recognize outstanding work guiding and participating in global-service learning initiatives.

A letter of nomination should be submitted recommending an individual for the award speaking to the award criteria:

  • Developed intentional global service-learning opportunities
  • Went above and beyond to coordinate global service-learning
  • Demonstrated an ongoing commitment to global service-learning
  • Exhibited values that encourage global service-learning
  • Supported continuation of global service-learning efforts

The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member at Drake.

Nomination Process
The letter of nomination is due to the Global Service-Learning Coordinator Maria Rohach no later than April 8. The letter should be sent as an attachment to maria.rohach@drake.edu. A committee of faculty and staff will review all nominations and make recommendations to the vice provost for international programs.

—Submitted by Maria Rohach