Morningside Connect

ODK, a national leadership honor society for upperclassmen, held Honors Convocation on April 8 to honor students, faculty, and staff that have been doing outstanding work during this year.

Faculty from each department come together to decide on which student has been excelling or doing outstanding work. The students recognized also are recipients of outstanding grades.

ODK members recognize an outstanding sophomore, staff member, faculty, and campus organization. This year’s winners were Jordan Heim was the Sophomore Cup recipient; Chris Spicer, associate professor of mathematics, received the Faculty Person of the Year; Gail Dooley, professor of music, was presented the First-Year Teaching/Advising Award; Donna Galati Huls, writing center consultant, received the Staff Member of the Year; and the Tommeraasen Award of Excellence was presented to two outstanding campus organizations, International Student Association and the Kiosk Magazine.

Jordan Heim, Sophomore Cup winner.

Donna Galati Huls, Staff member of the year.

The new officers for the 2015-2016 Student Government team.

Students being recognized for their outstanding work in the Business Department.

Jack Danks is a senior at Morningside College majoring in biology. Some might say he is the typical involved college student. He’s on the soccer team, in Beta Beta Beta, has held leadership roles in ACACIA, and participates in multiple other activities. However, he has a mindset and an outlook on life that’s different.

“I was raised in a household and an environment that taught me to always use the abilities that I have to help other people and to put other people’s needs in front of my own,” said Danks.

That mindset has taken him on a two-year journey that has had its ups and downs, but to him is worth it.

Jack started growing his hair out two-years ago, and not just for fun or for looks. It started because he wanted to help improve another person’s self esteem and outlook on life. He plans on donating his hair to Wigs for Kids once it’s long enough.

“By growing out my hair I feel that I am having a direct impact on another person’s life and that to me is the best thing a human can do for another human,” said Danks.

His hair is currently at twelve inches and he still has another eight inches to go.

His journey has not only allowed him to work towards helping another person but to grow as an individual.

“As a male with long hair some people think it is a little odd or feminine and occasionally I am even mistaken as a female,” said Danks.

Often people will stare at him as he walks or make comments. Danks throughout the process has adjusted to the stares and comments. After awhile, he stopped noticing them.

His advice for those who want to join in and grow their hair out to donate is to make sure you have lots of shampoo and conditioner. Also, if you’re a male, have female friends that can help you.

Danks plans on going to vet school after he graduates. If his future school and job allow it, he plans on taking this journey again and again.

Graduation is quickly approaching! As students get ready to graduate, they are starting to look at the next step in their lives and analyzing their options. This is a great time to add quality staff if your organization needs to fill a position or expand. Here are a couple of tips on how to help our students, yourself, and your organization by making employment referrals.

1. Talk to your organization about openings – If you are not a hiring/staffing professional, it is easy to lose touch with the needs of your organization, particularly if those needs are not in your area or department. Check your organizational website, or talk with human resources, or other department staff to determine if you have immediate needs. This time of year is the best time to hire new grads, so if you think you may have a need in the near future, consider posting a position soon so you don’t miss out on the very best candidates!
2. Make connections to Career Services or offer referrals to do so – Reach out to me at hays@morningside.edu or via phone at (7120 274-5032. I’m happy to talk to you about students/majors that might meet the criteria you are looking for. This can be done informally, with an alumni informing me of potential openings, through an introduction to Human Resources, or through a referral where an alum provides the hiring manager with my direct information. If your company offers a referral bonus for new employees hired, we can work to funnel all applicants to you first, and even provide faculty recommendations so you feel good about the referral you are making.
3. Learn about the recruiting process – At Morningside, we post all positions on our job posting site at collegecentral.com/morningside. Once posted, we tweet all full time openings on the Morningside College Career Services twitter account (msidecareers), and post them on the Morningside College Career Services LinkedIn Group (as well as on the Morningside College Business Department LinkedIn group if applicable). I also send direct e-mails to upcoming grads with the desired major, as well as the department chair of the applicable area. This ensures the student has multiple opportunities to see what positions are available. The best benefit of this process is that is completely FREE! There are no costs to promote your position on campus.

No one knows better than our alumni the kind of quality education our students receive. Time after time, I receive personal phone calls, e-mails, and in person visits from employers who are impressed by our students’ efforts. By making a targeted referral of a Morningside graduate to your organization, you can benefit by making an immediate and positive impact to your company. I would love to talk with you about your organization’s needs!

Stacie Hays