Tag Archives: staff accomplishments

HR Information Archive

Nominate a colleague for community service and employee excellence awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award and the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Awards. These awards will be presented at the Faculty / Staff Recognition Event on Tuesday, May 3, in Parent’s Hall, Olmsted Center. The deadline to submit nominations has been extended to April 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Criteria for the award include:

  • a demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service;
  • an outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation;
  • professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of giving back to others and making a difference in the lives of others.

The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Awards

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to up to two staff employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

  • exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University;
  • outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt, and quality service;
  • demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives, and services;
  • professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University.

Nominees must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee c/o Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent via campus mail or to laura.schwarz@drake.edu.

A nomination letter detailing specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria is desirable. Additional letters of support are not necessary. A review committee will make award recommendations to the President’s Council. Nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.

—Submitted by Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

For Staff Archive

A True Blue Leader: Melissa Sturm-Smith

Melissa Smith, True Blue Award winner, with her nominator Bryan Thomas.
Melissa Smith, Drake’s newest Called to be True Blue Award winner, with her colleague Bryan Thomas.

Melissa Sturm-Smith, associate provost for academic excellence and student success, was honored Feb. 9 with the Called to be True Blue Award. In nominating her, Melissa’s colleague wrote:

“Melissa has shown exemplary leadership as a supervisor, colleague, and supporter for all students, faculty, and staff. She never takes any credit for her hard work and dedication. Whether it’s working with Welcome Weekend, Dean’s Council, SDAT, etc., she embodies what it means to be an effective and humble leader. I can’t think of anyone here at Drake who cares about the well being of their staff and colleagues more than her. I hear students say that they want to be ‘Just like Melissa.’ If that isn’t True Blue then I don’t know what is.”

Melissa was surprised at a meeting and awarded a certificate and gift card, and is now in the running, along with other True Blue Award winners from this fiscal year, 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! The nomination form is available online.

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

For Staff Archive

Called to be True Blue

Tony Tyler from the Division of Student Life was honored Jan. 26 with the Called to be True Blue Award from All Staff Council. Tony, who is part of the newly reorganized Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement & Leadership, serves as director of student engagement, equity, and inclusion.

In his nomination, a colleague commented:

“A couple weeks ago, we had special visitors to campus. Their visit was very last minute, and Tony was extremely accommodating and welcoming to the group, ensuring their needs were met and that they had a positive first impression of Drake University. Throughout a long day of many last-minute requests, Tony maintained a positive and enthusiastic attitude. I should also note that this was the first time I had met Tony in person, and I was impressed by his interactions with the students we worked with that day. They all knew him and seemed genuinely happy and excited to see him.”

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

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

For Staff Archive

Called to be True Blue

Sara Schoneberg, student records service specialist, was recognized Dec. 9 with the Called to be True Blue Award from All Staff Council. She was honored for being a valuable team player who is always willing to go above and beyond.

sara-true-blue

As her nominator stated:

“Over the past few weeks, Sara has been instrumental in assisting with the posting of transfer credit for current Drake students for the Spring 2016 semester. Without her assistance, not nearly as many students would have been able to register in an earlier timeslot. This exhibits a willingness to learn a new skill set and goes above and beyond her other daily job responsibilities. Her hard work has not only made the Office of Student Records run efficiently, it is also directly helping Drake students toward their goal of earning their undergraduate degree.”

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

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

For Staff Archive

Shelley Hurst receives Called to be True Blue Award

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Shelley Hurst, senior student records systems coordinator, received the Called to be True Blue Award from the All Staff Council last week for her positive attitude and for providing excellent service. Shelley’s two nominators said:

“No matter what her deadline pressures, or what is going on in her world, Shelley has always responded promptly with kindness and professionalism. Shelley is a true team player at Drake, both in her role in Student Records, as well as her campus committee work.”

“I don’t work with her often, but when I do she goes out of her way to get me what I need quickly with a top-notch level of service, a high level of expertise, and a cheerful attitude. She has a love and enthusiasm for Drake that doesn’t quit, and a positive, can-do attitude that leaves a big impression on anyone who comes into contact with her.”

Do you know someone who is Called to Be True Blue? Nominate an individual or unit today!

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

News & Achievements Archive

Drake recognized for outstanding fundraising efforts

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) presented Drake University and the Office of Alumni and Development with a 2015 Educational Fundraising Award for overall performance. The award honors exemplary fundraising programs and activities at CASE member institutions across the country. CASE recognized Drake for demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism and best practice in fundraising efforts as well as performance over the last three years.

—Submitted by Elizabeth Kozor, Senior Foundation Relations Coordinator