As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources has been sharing shout-outs submitted by faculty and staff. Thanks to everyone who participated this month. Even though Employee Appreciation Month has come to an end, we hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus. Sharing positive energy is contagious. When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.
Read the final shout-outs submitted the past couple weeks!
“A shout-out to Katherine Coady for her amazing support for the recent 11th Annual Murphy Cup event. Katherine provided fantastic support in the planning and implementation of this event. Her dedication and expertise made the Murphy Cup a huge success. Katherine truly went the extra mile in her involvement and support of the 2024 Murphy Cup.” – Mary Edrington
“A shout-out to Annette Watson for her continued involvement and support for the Annual Speed Networking event. The 16th Annual Marketing Speed Networking event was a huge success thanks in large part to Annette Watson’s expertise. She provides outstanding organizational and logistical support for the event and both the students and marketing professionals continually rave about Annette Watson.” – Mary Edrington
“A shout-out to Maureen De Armond, human resources executive director: Maureen’s genuine interest and involvement in individual employee career goals and her creative collaboration to empower and advance those goals is the embodiment of Drake’s core values of joyful accountability, generosity of spirit, all in this together, and commitment to mission.” – Thad Smull
“A shout-out to Karen Pomeroy, Debbie Coyle, and Cindy Liska for your hard work and dedication to serving Zimpleman undergrad students! We have been a mighty and agile team, and I appreciate your commitment to our students and each other!” – Lauren McCarthy
“A shout-out to Judy, Jessica, and Christine who make things happen for the OIRA team. Your commitment to Drake, thoughtful work, and growth mindset makes a difference. Thank you for the “can do” spirit, the creative thinking, and the laughter.” – Kevin Saunders
“A shout-out to Sara Hughes: Sara is awesome! She helps things keep running in the Law Deans Office. She keeps track of so many meetings, events, deadlines. She is so organized and always positive with a smile on her face. She is one of the first to jump in and help out wherever needed. Thank you Sara, for all you do!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Dawn Brown: Dawn is a newer employee, but she has jumped right in and hit the ground running. She has had to plan events; she is helping out during a staff vacancy. She is always willing to learn and help out anyone. She is a great addition to our team and we’re lucky to have her. Thank you Dawn!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Kristi Longtin: Kristi is such a valuable co-worker. She is organized, with an attention to detail I admire. She assists full time and part time faculty and is currently taking on additional duties, covering for a vacant staff position. She is such a problem solver, always looking for the solution. Kristi always helps me with any technical questions about Excel or Word. She is our resident Help Desk. Thank you Kristi!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Kris Magill: Kris is a bright light in the Deans Office. She always has a smile on her face and is welcoming to everyone. She has great attention to detail, which is so important as she confirms students have met all their requirements to graduate; produces class rankings and plans Law Commencement. Even with all those tasks (and more) she is always willing to help out whenever needed. Thank you Kris for all you do!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Deb Wiley: Deb answers a million questions I have. She is knowledgeable and always willing to work through any scenarios that I have. I appreciate that she has a great sense of humor, with all the multiple tasks she undertakes. Thank you Deb for all you do!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Sheri Gavin, Ashley Rasmussen, Diana Newman & Valerie Thacker: My fellow Budget Managers, thank you for the tireless work you do. I appreciate our group chats and meetings to support each other, answer questions, share information & ideas and to problem solve. Keep doing the great work!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Maureen DeArmond: Thank you Maureen for all you do, especially with helping me with postings on Jobs@Drake. You are quick to respond and get things going. You’re always available to talk through many scenarios and offer guidance. I appreciate you!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Kathy Veach: Kathy is always so helpful and answers all my questions. I appreciate her knowledge with Restricted & Endowed funds, keeping track of it all and providing Budget Managers with the information we need. Thank you Kathy!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Jeni Baugher & Shelly Biondi: Jeni & Shelly are the dynamic duo. They process all A/P, handle pcards and many other very important tasks. They always answer my questions. I appreciate their positive attitudes, and both have an awesome sense of humor. Thank you for keeping things moving!” – Susan Edwards
“A shout-out to Jazlin Coley, Terrance Pendelton and team for planning and organizing Bulldogs Belong, a Drake DEI Week! There were great opportunities to bring the campus community together to celebrate and reflect.” – Amanda Martin
“A shout-out to Amy Guiter for her expertise, dedication, resilience, and hard work to ensure every student visiting the Drake campus has an exceptional experience! As a mom of a college student, Amy completely understands the impact of the campus visit experience in the college search process and is passionate in her work to exceed expectations of visitors every day!” – Deneen Dygert
“A shout-out to Chrystal Stanley: Chrystal has a legacy of providing excellent support, direction, guidance to students in their pursuit of a career path as well as coordinating employer partners with Drake students. Drake boasts an impressive accomplishment rate for graduates as well as one of the most impressive response rates largely due to her dedication and leadership on the Drake campus. Thank you, Chrystal for your years of exceptional service to Drake students and alumni!” – Deneen Dygert
“A shout-out to Michelle Laughlin: Michelle’s passion for student’s is extraordinary. She has dedicated her career to ensuring students have access to quality programs and services to assist them in the path to success and has provided leadership to ensure our campus community is united in our goal to serve all students in the pursuit of academic excellence. We are all so fortunate to have Michelle as a colleague and as the Director of Access and Success.” – Deneen Dygert
“A shout-out to Marietta Jackson: Have you ever met someone with a brighter or more welcoming smile? This shout out is to Marietta who welcomes students daily at The Hubb and provides that special dose of happiness and encouragement that students have come to expect and appreciate as they enter Hubbell Dining Hall. Marietta is a gift to the Drake University community and has positively impacted all who dine in The Hub through her infectious joy-filled welcome!” – Deneen Dygert
