Think you have what it takes to judge one of Drake’s most beloved traditions? We’re looking for two Bulldogs—one Drake alum or friend and one current student—to help crown the winner of the 47th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest during Drake Relays week. Judges will meet the contestants, interact with their owners, and evaluate each pup based on appearance, personality, and Drake spirit. Apply today for a chance to take your seat at the judges’ table and help select the next Most Beautiful Bulldog. Applications close Monday, April 6 at noon.
Thank you for your understanding and support in our decision to postpone this year’s All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge. Please mark your calendars for April 8–9 from noon to noon as our Bulldog community comes together to make a lasting impact.
New this year, if 30% of faculty and staff make a gift to the University by the close of All In, we’ll celebrate with a half day off on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Every gift made since July 1 counts, and All In is a great opportunity to be part of the 30% of campus partners participating.
In honor of your support, any Drake faculty or staff member that makes a gift during All In will be entered into a drawing for one of the following prizes:
Free parking pass for Commuter Tier II Parking Lots
Treats delivered by Griff II for your entire department
Drake Relays Experience package (Gift card to use at the Relays Tent, VIP Relays Tickets, and more)
Year-long, individual membership to the Varsity Cinema
Bulldog Beer Package (4-pack of Bulldog Beer, a Drake-branded pint glass, and more)
Limited Edition Griff II socks
Copy of the new Griff II children’s book, “Griff’s Big Little Adventure”
The 11th annual Griff Gives Back pet food drive is here! This year’s event holds special significance as it marks Griff II’s final donation drive as our live mascot. Griff II is rallying the Drake community to help him reach his goal of collecting 20,000 pounds of adult dog and cat food to support The Pet Project Midwest, a local pet food pantry.
Whether you donate via Griff’s Amazon Wish List, mail-in orders, or at his physical drop-off spots, every pound counts toward keeping local pets fed and with their families. We’ll celebrate the conclusion of Griff Gives Back at the Beautiful Bulldog Contest on Sunday, April 19, at the Knapp Center from 2–3 p.m.
In light of recent military actions in Iran, Drake University’s Department of Political Science and the Maxwell Fund are hosting a panel discussion, “The U.S. Airstrikes on Iran: What’s Happening and What’s Next?” today, March 3, at 6 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
The panel discussion will cover a broad range of high-stakes topics, including:
The longstanding tensions between the two nations.
Recent Iranian protests and their impact on internal stability.
The legality of military action under international and domestic law.
Regional and global implications for Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. foreign policy.
Domestic political consequences, including the impact on the American midterm elections and public opinion.
The panel will feature Associate Professor Kieran Williams, Professor David Skidmore, Professor Debra DeLaet, Assistant Professor Adrien Halliez, Professor Mary McCarthy, and Professor Rachel Paine Caufield.
— Rachel Paine Caufield, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Co-Executive Director of the Ron & Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy
The Division of Global Affairs is excited to kick off March with a schedule of DISTINCTIVELY GLOBAL events designed to help you learn all about Drake’s study abroad programs.
Study Abroad Fair
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Have you been impatiently waiting to learn more about where to study abroad next year or to find out what travel seminar programs will be offered J-term 2027? Wait no further! On Wednesday, March 4th, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, in Parent’s Hall North, Upper Olmsted, attend the Study Abroad Fair, to explore Drake’s largest education abroad event of the year!
This year the fair will be bigger and better, showcasing all opportunities to study and intern abroad, as well as Drake’s Travel Seminars offered J-term 2027. Students are invited to join us to learn more about our DU cohort programs (now in 3 locations around the world – Spain, England, and South Korea!), discover semester, summer, and J-term options, where we offer international internships, and to hear more about Global Learning Scholarships – over $100,000 awarded to Drake students each year! Get your questions answered from faculty leaders, program student alums, our global partners, and Global Affairs staff. We can’t wait to see you there!
One-on-One Advising
Date: Thursday, March 5:
While you’re at the Study Abroad Fair, sign up for one-on-one advising on Thursday, March 5th, timeslots available throughout the day to meet with a study abroad expert. Advising will be held in the Division of Global Affairs in Cowles Library, right around the corner from Midnight Hall.
DU England Tea Party
Date: Thursday, March 5:
Calling all DU England alums and students interested in studying abroad in the English countryside! Join us Thursday, March 5th at 5:00-7:00pm in Cowles Library Reading Room for English tea, pastries, and hear more about this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.
After visiting the Study Abroad Fair, dive deeper into DU Semester programs by attending an info session.
DU England: Drake Semester at Harlaxton
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 1 p.m. in Meredith 201
Learn more about studying and living in a 100+ room Victorian era manor in the English countryside!
Faculty-in-Residence: Prof. Rachel Paince Caulfield
DU Courses:
POLS 119: The American Political System in Comparative Perspective
POLS 119: Special Topics: Rural Politics
AOIs: Engaged Citizen
DU Korea: Drake Semester in Seoul
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 2 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 350
Hear about custom internship placements in Korea, courses available in English at Konkuk University, and program activities such as a multi-day trip to Tokyo, Japan!
Faculty-n-Residence: Prof. Kelley Ellis
DU Course: BUS 198: Business for Good Lab
AOIs: Engaged Citizen; Values & Ethics
DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 350
Discover how to make a semester in Spain the best fit for you by joining the DU Spain info session! Choose from a variety of English-taught, Spanish-taught, or Spanish language courses to complement your studies at Drake, live with a local host family, in a shared apartment, or the student residence hall, and explore more of the region with program excursions and activities.
Faculty-in-residence: Prof. Jen Wilson
DU Course: JMC 199: Travel Journalism in Spain
AOIs: Artistic Literacy; Engaged Citizen; Global & Cultural Understanding
The first 100 students to stop by the DU Spain table at the Study Abroad Fair will get a chance to try a Spanish classic treat – churros con chocolate!
All In: Drake’s 24-Hour Giving Challenge scheduled for March 4–5 from noon-to-noon has been postponed due to the passing of Drake University student, Sgt. Declan Coady, who was confirmed to be among the six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait on Sunday. Please join us as we come together as a community to honor the loss of a beloved student and to extend our love and support to the Coady family during this difficult time. All In will be rescheduled for later this spring. A new date will be communicated soon.
Career Services and Cintas are collaborating on a new career event to help students learn about internship opportunities, networking with employer partners, and practice professional ‘happy hour’ etiquette.
The date has been set (March 5), the hors d’oeuvres and mocktails have been ordered—the only thing missing from our event planning checklist is your registration!
Event Checklist:
Sponsor: Thank you, Cintas! ✔️
Date: Thursday, March 5 ✔️
Time: 5–6 p.m. ✔️
Location: Fisher-Stelter Hall in Johansen Student Center ✔️
Attire: Business Casual ✔️
Food: Hors d’oeuvres ✔️
Drinks: Mocktails ✔️
Benefits: Internship information, networking with professionals, and professional etiquette practice ✔️
Registration: Sign up in Eventbrite. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
The Honorary Degree and Drake Medal Committee seeks nominations for honorary degrees and the Drake Medal to be awarded during the 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 academic years.
Any University employee may nominate a deserving candidate for an honorary degree or a Drake Medal. A brief description of each award and the nomination process can be found here: Call for Nominations Honorary Degree and Drake Medal.
The nomination process is confidential. Please do not inform the candidate of your nomination. Submit nominations and supporting documentation to Honorary Degree and Drake Medal Committee chair Ryan Stoldt at ryan.stoldt@drake.edu no later than March 9, 2026. Thank you for helping us identify candidates of the highest quality.
Drake Online and Continuing Education has recently been restructured into two key functional areas: Enrollment Management Services and Learning Design Services. This restructuring reflects our ongoing commitment to providing seamless, high-quality support across the entire online student journey—from inquiry and enrollment through course design and delivery.
The following leadership appointments are part of this restructuring:
Dianna Gray, promoted to Strategic Director of Enrollment Management Services
Shannon Hilscher, promoted to Manager of Learning Design Services
Dianna and Shannon have demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaboration, and dedication to Drake University, and will guide their teams effectively through this next phase of transition and growth.
Enrollment Management Services will focus on recruitment, admissions coordination, and student success operations to ensure an outstanding experience for prospective and current online learners. Several team members have taken on new or expanded roles within Drake Online:
Suzanne Wisslead, promoted to Senior CRM Specialist
Kelly Marckres, transitioned to Enrollment Management Specialist
Tracy Davies, transitioned to Program Assistant for Enrollment Management
We are also pleased to welcome two new colleagues to the team:
Crystal Fierro-Galbraith (joined August 2025) as Enrollment Management Specialist
Sam Fiducci (joined January 2025) as Digital Marketing Specialist
Learning Design Services will continue to advance excellence in online course design, faculty collaboration, and the integration of innovative teaching practices and technologies. With this enhanced focus on student-centered, engaging learning experiences:
Nichole Kiefer Stabile’s title has changed to Learning Design Specialist
Trey Leech (joined November 2025) as a Learning Design Specialist
Supporting both teams, Bill Klein has transitioned to the role of Learning Analytics and Innovation Specialist, where he will manage data systems, analyze enrollment and learning trends, and implement technological solutions to support our goals.
Additionally, Kendra Colbert serves as Office Support Coordinator, overseeing daily administrative operations, supporting staff, and ensuring the smooth coordination of office functions.
These changes position Drake Online for continued success in expanding access to high-quality online education. Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their new roles and in welcoming our newest team members to Drake Online!
— Belle Cowden, Associate Provost for Online Programming
Griff II is partnering with the Parent Advisory Board to collect items for Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood during Family Weekend. Bring non-perishable food and/or personal hygiene products to Griff in Olmsted on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9–10 a.m. He will be there to pose for pictures, receive ear scratches, and field your compliments and positive affirmations. Griff will then make the rounds in the Griffmobile and fill up the pantries to help struggling neighbors. Griff hopes to see you!
— Erin Bell, University Communications & Marketing
