FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833, daniel.finney@drake.edu

DRAKE RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE

Drake University President David Maxwell and Vanessa Macro, Drake director of human resources, recently presented top awards for faculty and staff who have demonstrated exemplary service to both Drake and the community.

June F. Johnson, director of faculty and site development in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was awared the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award.

Johnson was nominated for her tireless work on behalf of individuals with diabetes. Among her contributions is work on a grant to improve access and the quality of care for patients at the Community Access Project Pharmacy – a pharmacy serving the under and uninsured population – in Des Moines. In addition, she volunteers her time with Operation Diabetes – a program offered through Walgreen Pharmacies that provides diabetes screening and education to the public.

Johnson also works extensively with in Camp Hertko Hollow in Boone, Iowa – a camp dedicated to providing a camp experience for children and youth with diabetes. She lives in Johnston.

Shawn Madsen and Sofia Turnbull each won the Levitt Employee Excellence Awards.

Madsen, systems administrator for the Drake University Law School, was nominated for his exceptional performance and ability to anticipate the needs of those he works with and for. His nominator cited several critical projects to which he has made exceptional contribution, including the development of a Case Management System for the Legal Clinic, development and maintenance of the Law School Web page and installation of a wireless network.

“Excellence and Shawn are synonymous,” the nominator said.

Madsen lives on the west side of Des Moines.

Turnbull, program assistant for the English, Math, Culture and Society and Computer Science departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, was also credited with providing service excellence to students.

Turnbull’s nominator said, “Every institution is made of individuals who contribute to the whole; Sofia Turnbull’s contribution to Drake University should be recognized and valued. She is tireless, thoughtful, patient even in trying circumstances, and we all would have much more difficult jobs if it were not for her presence here in Howard hall. She makes my job easier by doing her job so well. I am a better more prepared teacher because I can rely upon Sofia in so many ways.”

Turnbull lives in Des Moines.

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