As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee. This is a great way to recognize others. Simply write a sentence of appreciation for an individual or team and submit it to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 27. They will be compiled and posted in the next edition of OnCampus.
Read some of the shout-outs submitted so far!
“A shout-out to Nic Jacobson and Laure Fredenburg for their ongoing support throughout the Changemaker Scholars application process. They were both so responsive, willing to help us try new things, and all with a positive and friendly attitude! It’s much appreciated.” – Amanda Martin
“A shout-out to All Staff Council (ASC): Thank you for all you have done to both support and recognize staff, as well as create opportunities for social connection and community awareness. I have had the privilege to work closely with this group on numerous projects. Although each event requires extra work for ASC members, in addition to their regular workload, they do it with a smile and always exhibit a ‘Generosity of Spirit’. Thank you!” – Linda Feiden
“A shout-out to Christine Urish, Hannah Clayborne, Terrance Pendleton, Venessa Macro, Michelle Laughlin, and Daniel Van Sant: I would like to take a moment to send a shout out to my fellow team members on the President’s Committee on Supporting Persons with Disabilities, who, in addition to their seemingly one million commitments/to-dos across their day-to-day jobs, have joined this effort to lay the framework for an inclusive campus. Each of the six of you have been a joy to get to know and learn from over the past six months–each and every one of you teaching me something to better myself for the future. With a special round of applause to our Chair, Venessa, who I must say has been one of the most effective committee chairs that I’ve worked with for her calm and mission driven leadership style. Thank you all!” – Matthew Williams
“A shout-out to Greg Lin for the superb communication and enthusiasm he has for recruiting volunteers. Thanks Greg! – Matthew Williams
“A shout-out to Amy Guiter and Allison Bugg for your awesomeness in supporting the campus visit team in Cole Hall day in and day out, navigating quick pivots to be a superb first impression prospective students get. Your work truly moves this campus forward. Thank you!”– Matthew Williams
“A shout-out to Ed Walkwitz: Ed has been the duty engineer on call for a few calls I’ve placed and is always so helpful, kind, and patient in every interaction, all while providing prompt resolution to the concern. Thanks Ed!” – Matthew Williams
“A shout-out to Professor Talbert: She is such a wonderful professor, and her classes are so engaging. She is also a supportive and loving person; proud to call her my professor!” – Chloe Lepak
“A shout-out to Professor Dolinsek: He constantly works to make his students feel included and valued. He is awesome!” – Chloe Lepak
“A shout-out to Austin Higgins, Mail Office Manager-Campus Mail Operations for his kindness while assisting our needs here at The Ray Center. Austin always presents the Drake Core Values, and he demonstrates the Six Pillars–Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship, in his daily work. We much appreciate all Austin does for us. – Deb Taylor
“A shout-out to June Mitchell, Leadership and Counseling Support Specialist for her Generosity of Spirit and willingness to be All in This Together attitude. On multiple occasions, June has gone above and beyond to assist with anything we seek out to accomplish. June is always there for us at The Ray Center, and we are happy she is just two floors up from us.” – Deb Taylor
“A shout-out to Cody Dolinsek: Thank you for being one of the most influential professors I have had in college. Your kindness, intelligence, curiosity for the world around you, and comedic impressions have helped me navigate my time at Drake. I will truly miss being your student!” – Rachel Jalloway
“A shout-out to Dining Services: Thank you for cooking our food each and every day! Not only that, thank you for making sure that students are able to eat using clean dishes all around the clock. I appreciate seeing you all around the dining hall–I really like having little conversations when I can!” – Rachel Jalloway
“A shout-out to Cleaning/Facilities: Thank you for keeping Drake a clean campus! I see all the hard work you do, from cleaning each residence hall and campus building every day to fixing the broken things on campus. We really cannot survive without you all–please know that we see you all and appreciate you all!” – Rachel Jalloway
“A shout-out to Shelley Adams: Shelley is such a wonderful addition to the CPHS Staff team. She is a shining example of hard work and dedication to excellence, and her talents were invaluable during the HOSA conference that just took place in March at Drake. She took the time necessary to make sure that this experience was top notch for the students who attended, and I know that she played a massive part in the conference’s success. She makes our office a better, brighter, and more welcoming place for all, and I couldn’t do what I do at Drake without her assistance. Thank you, Shelley!” – Shelby Nelson
“A shout-out to Diana Altamirano: My nickname for Diana is “Dependable Diana.” I can always depend on her to take care of things and she always does so with the best attitude! Not only this, but she always goes above and beyond in whatever she does. Her positive energy and commitment to the College’s success in all aspects is truly so appreciated. She is a great collaborator, and I am so thankful to have her on our team. Thanks Diana!” – Shelby Nelson
“A shout-out to Gillian Mohn: Thanks so much to Gillian, who just recently started assisting CPHS with some communications tasks. She has been great with tackling these new challenges and we greatly appreciate her can-do attitude and her assistance with all things communications!” – Shelby Nelson
“A shout-out to Rachel Penningroth: She’s always willing to lend a helping hand.” – Melinda Headlee
“A shout-out to Suzanne Wisslead: Thank you for being so available to help me with Slate projects. Your knowledge, attention to detail, and timeliness are appreciated!” – Lisa Kinkade
“A shout-out to Jeannie Nielsen, CPHS Experiential Office: Thank you for all you do for our students, faculty, and staff. You create a welcoming environment to ask questions and always greet us with a smile when we enter your office. I’m grateful for your hard work and dedication to the CPHS Experiential Office.” – Anisa Hansen
“A shout-out to Marina Verlengia, Director of New Student and Parent Programs: Your dedication to our first-year students is exceptional. You are a creative leader during this opportunity for change. Your hard work does not go unnoticed!” – Anisa Hansen
“A shout-out to Kristi Longtin: Kristi is always willing to help and is a whiz with Qualtrics, Panopto and all Microsoft products, too! This semester she’s doing even more covering for a vacant admin position supporting nearly all the faculty at the law school, including the adjuncts. She’s cool under pressure and has a great sense of humor through it all! Thank you, Kristi!” – Sara Hughes
“A shout-out to Dawn Brown: Dawn is new to our team at the law school, but you’d never know it! She has jumped in and is doing a great job juggling the four areas that she supports! She is quick to learn and has made a difference in all she’s taken on since starting in December 2023. She is also helping pick up some duties for the admin support position that’s open too. She has been a great addition! Thank you, Dawn!” – Sara Hughes
“A shout-out to Kris Magill: In addition to her own duties, I know I can always count on Kris to help me out when needed. She handles all things related to Commencement for the law school including regalia, program, music, composite picture. She also coordinates faculty meetings, faculty presentations, class ranks, degree certifications and more. Her positive attitude and smile shine through in all she does and makes every day a good one. She has a sharp eye for proofreading and has saved me on multiple occasions by reading through an email or letter for me. All these things and more help me realize how fortunate I am to work with her. Thank you, Kris!” – Sara Hughes
“A shout-out to Terri Howard: There is one person at Drake Law that is always there to help alumni, faculty, staff, and students. She does it all and does it all well! She manages our marketing including our current rebranding project, resource for our Recent Alumni Engagement Board, coordinates our many events (including Cady Day & Supreme Court Celebration) and works with our alumni to set up receptions around the country or their reunions! Recently she helped launch a new alumni management database while also helping to organize a new alumni group that will be kicked off in April. Both projects were done while she continued to do her “normal” duties. She has a great way of making each person feel like the most important person in the world when she’s working with them. Thank you, Terri!” – Sara Hughes
“A shout-out to Julie Olinger: Julie’s attitude is infectious! It is rare to see Julie without a smile and a friendly greeting. She is always willing to help, whether it is brainstorming new ways to engage students, hunting down tricky information, or helping move office furniture. Her kindness is one of her strongest qualities!” – Jenny Jones
“A shout-out to Ron Ackerman: Ron does an amazing job of taking care of the MBA students. He advocates for the students, keeping their best interests at the center of his recommendations. He is a huge asset to our office – he is often able to find solutions that not only help serve our office but also our students. His years of knowledge in the MBA field are invaluable to our program.” – Jenny Jones
“A shout-out to Whitney Harris: Here’s to our fearless Advising Council leader, who inspires us to reach new heights every day, guiding us through challenges with courage, humor, and grace. It’s such a pleasure working with and learning from you!” – Sydni Jennings
“A shout-out to Nicholas Kavanaugh: Your reliability and dedication makes every project smoother and every goal more achievable. The Cline Hall office is a better and brighter environment because of you!” – Sydni Jennings
“A shout-out to Allyssa Ruths: We couldn’t do what we do without your management of all the details! You are an invaluable asset to CPHS Student Affairs, and your gif humor is just an added bonus. Thanks for all you do!” – Sydni Jennings
“A shout-out to Jen Hinton: Jen exemplifies willingness to help prospective students, Drake colleagues, and community college partners. She is eager to help, creates new ideas for implementation and is a positive Drake Bulldog! She is a joy to work with in the Transfer Admission space – keep up the awesome work Jen!” – Rachelle Setsodi
“A shout-out to Valori Bross and Kristy Hilchen, Office of Admission, for reading, evaluating, and processing over 11,800 undergraduate applications since March 1, 2023 – which include Bright College applicants, Transfer applicants, Direct from High School applicants and applicants from all over the globe.” – Amy Nichols
