The Drake University National Parents Association Board of Directors has selected Jeff, JO’81, GR’83, and Lynette Shawd and their sons, Andrew and Matthew, as the 2012 Drake Family of the Year. Andrew is a junior at Drake, double majoring in accounting and finance.
Each spring, nominations are accepted from faculty, staff, students, and administrators to recognize Drake families for their support toward the success of their student(s) and contributions to the Drake community through their advocacy and participation. A committee of the National Parents Association Board of Directors reviews the nominations and selects a family to be honored during the Parents and Family Weekend activities each fall.
“This award is an important public celebration of the many ways parents and families support the opportunities provided to our Drake students,” says Melissa Sturm-Smith, vice provost for academic excellence and student success. “Without the time, talent, and treasure they contribute, our community could not create such exceptional experiences.”
The Shawds are dedicated and active Bulldogs. Andrew is president of the Drake Investment Club and is a member of Drake Tae Kwon Do Club, Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity. Jeff was also part of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and continues to be involved as an alumnus. During his time at Drake, Jeff was a four-year member of the band program and still makes the trip down from the Shawds’ home in Eden Prairie, Minn., to play trumpet with the Bulldog Brass at home basketball games.
Jeff is currently vice president of marketing for General Electric and Lynette is an information systems general manager at General Mills. Jeff used his marketing experience to teach a marketing class, which helped to promote the new Turner Jazz Center.
“Jeff and Lynnette are role models for parent and alumni engagement in Drake,” wrote Jeff’s brother Michael Shawd, JO’86, in his nomination of the family. “They are actively engaged in Drake in ways that support their son’s continued success, and have also forged unique and meaningful ways to contribute their talents and resources to the benefit of the University.”