Join us on Thursday, May 11, as we honor Drake employees who reached 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years of service from Sept. 4, 2016, through June 30, 2017, and those who are retiring or have recently retired.

This year’s event will be part of the May 11 Drake faculty/staff social from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center.

Please take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers!

30-Year Anniversaries
Donna Blunck, Finance and Administration
Deneen Dygert, Undergraduate Admission
Teresa Koch, Cowles Library
John Stacy, Facilities Planning and Management
Denise Stowman, Student Financial Planning

25-Year Anniversaries
Pamela Brennan, Cowles Library
Ginney Camden, College of Business and Public Administration
Bruce Gilbert, Cowles Library
Susan Ladd, Student Financial Planning

20-Year Anniversaries
John Baker, Facilities Planning and Management
Teresa Bartschat, RaySociety
Michael Downey, Facilities Planning and Management
Rodney Henshaw, Cowles Library
Marla Rigby, Facilities Planning and Management
Georgia Sheriff, Robert D. and Billie Ray Center
Terry Thorpe, School of Education

15-Year Anniversaries
Christine Ditter, Student Financial Planning
Danette Kenne, College of Business and Public Administration
Marcia Keyser, Cowles Library
Justin Mead, Facilities Planning and Management
Christopher Mielke, Information Technology Services
Brandi Miller, Student Financial Planning
Clayton Mitchell, Information Technology Services
Kristine Mogle, Cowles Library
Lance Noe, College of Business and Public Administration
Umihana Omerhodzic, Facilities Planning and Management
Michael Spoerl, Law Library

10-Year Anniversaries
Susan Abel, Head Start
Sonja Brightwell, Office of Residence Life
Mary Cecil, Campus Mail Operations
Alice Cronin, Office of Residence Life
Dennis Graham, Facilities Planning and Management
Jean Hansen, School of Education
Victoria Haugen, Head Start
Jodi Hofer, Alumni and Development
Allison Pohlman, Athletics
Salvador Roman, Facilities Planning and Management
Kathryn Schott, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Thomas Stier, Athletics

5-Year Anniversaries
Maria Almanza-Arriaga, Facilities Planning and Management
Cheryle Anania, President’s Office
Linda Anderzhon, Alumni and Development
Jennie Baranczyk, Athletics
Debra Booth, Law School
Emma Daily, University Communications
Denise Ganpat , International Center
Amanda Harris, Head Start
Sandra Harris, Provost’s Office
Antonio Joya, Facilities Planning and Management
Kelly Kennedy, Head Start
Mark Kloberdanz, Counseling Center, Dean of Students
Toma McClintic, Head Start
John Meyer, Athletics
Riley Myers, Facilities Planning and Management
Brett Niederhauser, Public Safety
Peggy Nielsen, Head Start
Jennifer Rhoads, Head Start
Skylar Scott, Public Safety
Priya Shenoy, Cowles Library
Gareth Smith, Athletics
Nicolle Smith, Head Start
Thad Smull, Alumni and Development
Tyler Spoon, Information Technology Services
Daniel Taylor, Cowles Library
Suzanne Wisslead, International Admission
James Wu, Information Technology Services
Alyssa Young, University Communications

Retirees
Gretchen Beckley, International Center
Robert Cooper , College of Business and Public Administration
Larry Cox, Information Technology Services
Steven Faux, Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Neil Hamilton, Law School
June Johnson, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Jane Lynch, Office of Admission
Leslie Mamoorian, Office of Admission
Karen Mendenhall, Head Start
Raynette Meyers, Alumni and Development
Joyce Sharp, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Daniel Walker, Facilities Planning & Management

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

This is Drake’s fifth year partnering with Wabi Sabi Farm. Members of the Drake community support a local farm by purchasing a share and, in return, farmer Ben Saunders brings shares of the week’s produce to campus.

It is a great way to eat healthy and seasonally while supporting sustainable agriculture and the local economy.

Shares will be delivered to Meredith Hall Wednesday afternoons beginning in mid to late May. You may order a full share, which is delivered weekly for 20 weeks, or a half share, which is delivered every two weeks. If you want to split a weekly delivery with someone, let us know and we can look for a match.

For more information, costs, and to sign up, please go to www.wabisabi-farm.com.

If you have any additional questions, Drake’s student coordinator is Kori Ponder (kori.ponder@drake.edu). She can help answer any questions you have, and she will be the person working with Wabi Sabi Farm and greeting you when you pick up your produce.

Further questions can be directed to Amahia Mallea, associate professor of history, at amahia.mallea@drake.edu or Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Several staff members joined the Drake family in April.

Katherine Coady, Administrative Assistant 2, Events Management
Thomas Smith, Major Gift Officer, Law School
Wendy Borst, Application Operations Facilitator, Office of Admission
Mark Reiter, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations
David Thorson, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Athletics
Susan Sandeen, Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounting
Ana Espinoza, Administrative Assistant 1, Head Start
Ali Farokhmanesh, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Athletics

—Diana Lei-Butters, Human Resources

Healthy4U BINGO is a great way to have fun and win prizes, all in the name of better wellbeing! The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two) with healthy activities you complete from a list and then play a game of Healthy4U BINGO for prizes.

How does it work?
Participants will receive a packet which includes directions, a list of Healthy4U BINGO activities, and a blank BINGO card. During the month of June simply complete various activities from the list and record them on the blank BINGO card. There’s a broad range of activities to choose from and you can complete them from home or work so everyone can participate.

On Friday, June 30, at 12 p.m., bring your completed BINGO card to the Olmsted Center, Conference Room 310/311, and join us for a fun game of Healthy4U BINGO for prizes! If interested in participating, send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “BINGO.” Deadline to register is noon on Wednesday, May 31.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

During your last physical or wellness screening was your blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL? Is your Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 24?

Hy-Vee is offering Drake 15 FREE scholarships to cover the cost of attending a National Diabetes Prevention Program (a value of $499) for those who may be at risk for diabetes. This is a yearlong program to help you prevent developing diabetes. This program is split into two parts. During the first 16 weeks you will meet weekly with a Hy-Vee dietitian. During the next eight months you will meet once a month. Classes begin in September and will be held on campus during the day.

Participant eligibility is based on the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old and
• Be overweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 24; ≥ 22 if Asian) and
• Have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year:
  • Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7—6.4% or
  • Fasting plasma glucose: 100—125 mg/dL or
  • Two-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 gm glucose load): 140—199 mg/dL

  OR

• Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (with no previous diagnosis of diabetes)

Read this Diabetes Prevention Program Scholarships Letter to learn more about the program. Registration is open now and ends June 19 to be considered for the class.

Please contact Anne Cundiff (Hy-Vee dietitian) by email at acundiff@hy-vee.com or call 515-285-7266 if you have any questions or would like to register for this program. Individuals will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Weight Watchers’ unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many of your co-workers at Drake.

Weekly Monday meetings include a confidential weigh-in from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m., followed by a 30-minute class. Classes are held in Opperman Hall, Conference Room 262.

Our current series ends today—Monday, April 24. If you are interested in joining our next series please contact Linda Feiden by noon today. Cost is $156 for the 12-week renewable series. A minimum of 15 participants is needed to hold an on-campus program.

Walk into summer with a healthier you!

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake University offers many opportunities for new and established faculty and staff. This academic year the University has introduced a series of “Did U Know” classes that spotlight departments and services across campus.

Our next class in the series highlights University Advancement.
University Advancement comprises four offices: Development, Alumni Relations, Community Relations, and University Communications. Their common commitment is advancing Drake’s mission through promotion, positioning, advocacy, and storytelling. What they do together powerfully advances the Drake experience for our students, alumni, campus partners, and community.

Join us Thursday, May 4, at 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, for this presentation. John Smith, vice president, university advancement; Pam Pepper, assistant vice president; Dave Remund, executive director, university communications; John Amato, director of development; and Andy Verlengia, director of alumni relations, will be presenting.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information including an online registration form may be found on blueView. Click HERE to access the registration form. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Weight Watchers’ unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many of your co-workers at Drake.

Weekly Monday meetings include a confidential weigh-in from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m., followed by a 30-minute class. Classes are held in Opperman Hall, Conference Room 262.

Our current series ends April 24. If you are interested in joining our next series please contact Linda Feiden. Cost is $156 for the 12-week renewable series. A minimum of 15 participants is needed to hold an on-campus program.

Walk into summer with a healthier you!

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The Peerceive Employee Recognition Portal rolled out April 10. Peerceive is an online peer-to-peer recognition program where co-workers and managers come together to recognize each other for their great work. This is just one more way to recognize each other’s work, in addition to programs like All Staff Council’s Called to Be True Blue award.

The Peerceive dashboard includes easy-to-use tools to send electronic kudos or e-cards. Kudos are a way for co-workers to express gratitude for a unique contribution to the workplace. You can send them as often as you deem worthy and to any employee in any department. E-cards are an electronic version of a hand-written note. Use these to wish another employee a happy birthday, a general “congratulations,” or even a get well soon.

You have access to the Peerceive Employee Recognition Portal on blueView under the Employee tab. It is located in a channel on the right-hand side of the page. Bookmark it for easy access! Your user name is your Drake email address and your initial password is your employee number, including any leading zeroes. The portal is simple to use, but if you have questions, a Peerceive User Guide is available in the same blueView channel. For additional information please contact Linda Feiden.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources