All posts by Ashton Hockman

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Student Tess Meggison Wins Top Honors in National Media Scholars Competition

Drake University student Tess Meggison, alongside her teammate and longtime friend Campbell Valline of Iowa State University, won first place at the 17th annual Washington Media Scholars Foundation (WMSF) Media Plan Case Competition, each securing a $5,000 scholarship. 

Meggison and Valline were awarded top prize after presenting their data-driven campaign to a panel of top media and advertising executives during the prestigious WMSF awards luncheon in Washington, D.C., on June 11. 

This year’s national competition, hosted in partnership with Responsibility.org, tasked students with tackling a complex, real-world brief: “Campus Reset: Driving Alcohol 101+ Adoption Across South Carolina’s Public Higher Education System.” 

The students developed comprehensive media plans with a hypothetical $300,000 budget, grappling not just with reach and impressions, but with how media can shape behavior and responsibility in communities across America. 

Leading up to the final pitch, Meggison and Valline spent a week engaging in learning sessions, networking events, and real-world experiences led by industry leaders, visiting premier media agencies and political consulting firms across Washington, D.C.  

“The caliber of students that come through WMSF is something you don’t often see at this stage of a career,” said Mike Jones of Gray Media, WMSF presenting sponsor. “These aren’t students anymore, really. They’re colleagues.” 

To hear more about Meggison and Valline’s winning pitch and their experience in Washington, D.C., listen to their recent interview on the Scholar Sessions podcast. 

Campus Announcements Archive

Art and Design Team of Emily Newman and Edward Kelley Create Innovative “It’s in the Water” Installation

ICYMI in the news this week, Art and Design Associate Professor Emily Newman and Studio Assistant Edward Kelley worked together for the Parts Per Million Collective (PPM) to create a public art installation titled “It’s in the Water.”

More than just a visual display, “It’s in the Water” is an 18×18-foot floating sculpture inspired by traditional barn quilt block designs and created using colorful salvaged plastic. The installation is buoyed at each corner with 5-gallon buckets containing algae. The algae helps to absorb nitrates from the water while simultaneously capturing atmospheric carbon.

The art piece is designed to raise awareness of water quality issues. The installation is viewable at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm at 3201 15th Ave., Cumming, Iowa, through September.

Thank you to Emily and Edward for sharing their innovative work—that combines artistic expression and environmental stewardship—with our local community!

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Our Outstanding Faculty

Congratulations to our exceptional faculty members who received Drake’s highest honors this spring.

It is because of their dedication—and the commitment of all our outstanding colleagues past, present, and future—that we see the true, transformative power of education come to life for our students, their families, and our communities.

Please take a moment to congratulate those recognized in the following categories:

  • Madeline Levitt Award winners
  • Tenure and promotion
  • Endowed professorships and chairs

Madelyn Levitt Awards

Lendie Follett, Business Analytics, Zimpleman College of Business: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Community Service

This award honors exceptional commitment to service, leadership, and giving back, and Dr. Lendie Follett exemplifies these values wholeheartedly.  Dr. Follett integrates community engagement directly into her teaching by leading students in data-driven projects with local organizations such as Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC, Iowa’s largest food pantry network), Polk County Health, and Meals on Wheels, helping address real community needs.  Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through research on hunger relief cited at the national level and through her service as President of the Board of Directors for DMARC, where she uses data modeling to develop strategies to combat food insecurity.  Through her scholarship, service, and mentorship, Dr. Follett models “business as a force for good” and makes a meaningful, lasting difference in the Drake community and the greater Des Moines region.  DMARC’s CEO, Kathy Underhill noted Lendie’s profound contributions to DMARC, sharing that Lendie is “not only active behind the computer, but in front, as president of our board, connector to the community, and champion for the hungry among us.” 

Olga Lazareva, Psychology & Neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Mentor

This award recognizes those who exhibit an outstanding commitment to student success in and out of the classroom and integrity in personal relationships.  Several current and former students wrote letters of nomination sharing their deep gratitude for how quickly and strongly Dr. Lazareva invested in their success by offering opportunities and support of their undergraduate research experiences in her lab.  She is a prolific scholar and includes students as collaborators and co-authors.  Many of those students have won impressive awards for their work as undergraduates in her lab.  Her colleagues note that it is very easy to work with high-achieving students who demonstrate strong skills.  However, Dr. Lazareva regularly recruits students who may go unnoticed or who have been marginalized, and she empowers them as researchers and valuable partners in her lab.  The depth of gratitude conveyed by her students is truly heartwarming and inspiring.  They state that her labs are the most transformative experiences of their time at Drake, and when they graduate, they have conducted meaningful research that prepare them to be respected, successful scientists.  Dr. Lazareva notes her own scientific trajectory beginning in 1994, when she traveled to Moscow State University, with, as she notes “no appointment, no connections, and no credentials beyond a desire to study.”  She asked a faculty member whether there might be an opportunity for someone like her, who wasn’t even a student there.  The faculty member who later became her PhD advisor said yes, without so much as looking at her grades or asking for recommendation letters, and that altered the trajectory of her life.  It allowed her to pursue graduate work and her academic position at Drake, and it inspired her to extend the same access to other students, many of whom say that it was the first time someone told them they were smart enough to do the work.  Olga’s mentors must be incredibly proud of her, as we are, that she is carrying that legacy forward.

Maria Valdovinos, Psychology & Neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences: Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Scholar

This award was established to recognize faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their academic endeavors while making meaningful contributions to society.  In reviewing the letters of nomination for Dr. Maria Valdovinos, and in witnessing her work from my first day as provost 10 years ago, the word that rises to the top of my mind is integrity.  It is truly inspiring to witness how the scholarship of someone with such unwavering integrity makes a transformative impact on the lives of so many people – her students, the communities she serves, colleagues in her discipline, and the lives of so many vulnerable individuals in the world.  She is a true teacher-scholar in the best sense, and while her body of scholarship is prolific, and often done with students as co-authors, it is not only the quantity, but more importantly the quality and substance.  Her work more than fills gaps in knowledge in her discipline – she is bridging science with public policy and legislation, improving services, and raising the bar for achieving and maintaining licensure.  Her transformative leadership in professional organizations sets an example for her students, working professionals, and the individuals she serves.  Several letters of nomination from colleagues in her discipline described the scientific progress she’s made at a non-research-intensive university as “astounding,” and one states “no one has done more to shape the direction of the field in Iowa.  She is among our most important active scholars in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, breaking new ground on a very old and pernicious problem.  By doing so, she brings reputational honor to Drake University.”  Let me add, none of this is an exaggeration.  Maria will never not produce works of this quality.

Kelly Bruhn, SJMC, Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Teacher

This award was established to recognize faculty who exhibit an informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students, rigor in intellectual endeavors, and contagious enthusiasm for their subject matter.  I wish I could share each of her colleagues and students’ letters, word-for-word.  Here are a few quotes.  From a student: “She has mastered the art of challenging her students to elevate their work without giving them the answers or compromising their confidence.  She is generous in her feedback with specific, uplifting compliments, but she also posed several insightful questions regarding gaps in our strategy.  She didn’t provide the solutions; instead, she planted the seeds that inspired us to refine our work ourselves.  She empowered us to bridge those gaps with our own creativity, transforming a solid project into a professional-grade portfolio piece we were genuinely proud to claim as our own.”  From another student: “Four years ago, a first-generation child of divorce walked into the building, trying to imagine what her life could look like here.  There was a time when I believed that I wasn’t going to live long enough to graduate high school.  Touring one of the top Midwest private universities was not on the bingo card for 2021.  I had a lot of anxieties.  Thoughts like: Is this really a place for me?  Can I really ‘do’ another four years of school?  Is this something I’ll even be good at?  The thoughts were so loud in my head until I met Kelly.”  The student goes on to describe the high standards that she needed to achieve for Dr. Bruhn, and also the support to achieve those standards.   And if you repeat that story and only change a few details, you’d understand what it was like for me reading students’ letters of nomination.  Kelly’s colleague’s nomination describes her as an informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students; having integrity in personal relationships; “if I was forced to describe her in one word, it would be integrity (enthusiasm would be a close second!)”; upholding rigor in intellectual endeavors; always with contagious enthusiasm for her subject matter.  Their letter ends; “I would be honored to be half the educator she is.”

Tenure and Promotion

College of Arts & Sciences

  • Marc Busch, promotion to professor (tenured)
  • Josh Carlson, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
  • Meredith Moore, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
  • Alimoor Reza, tenure andpromotion to associate professor
  • Stephanie Wang, tenure andpromotion to associate professor

Cowles Library

  • Hope Bibens, promotion to professor (tenured)

Law School

  • Lexi Brennan, promotion to associate professor (tenure-track)
  • Alexa Perez, promotion to associate professor (tenure-track)

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

  • Eric Adae, tenure andpromotion to associate professor

Zimpleman College of Business

  • Jeff Kappen, promotion to professor (tenured)
  • Brian Sweeney, promotion to associate professor of practice

Endowed Chairs and Professorships

David Senchina, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences: Clifford D Rea Distinguished Chair in Biology

Dr. David Senchina’s selection as the inaugural Clifford (“Cliff”) G. Rea Endowed Chair in Biology reflects his exceptional record of research excellence, outstanding teaching, and unwavering commitment to undergraduate engagement.  He teaches classes in both exercise science and human disease, and his students have co-authored 22 peer‑reviewed publications.  He mentors students in a variety of exercise science research projects, mostly focusing on the ankle and foot. This distinguished appointment is a fitting recognition of his impact on students, scholarship, and the university.

Andrea Kjos, CPHS: Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions

The Baum Chair brings together Drake faculty members with research and teaching interests in ethics in an on-going forum on ethics and the world of practice that will enhance their own scholarly work, their teaching and student learning, and the broader campus discourse.  Dr. Andrea Kjos, PharmD, PhD, has been selected as the Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions, a recognition that reflects her long-standing commitment to teaching, scholarship, and ethical inquiry at Drake University.  Andrea is a Drake alumna and has been a faculty member since 2009, and has focused her work on the education, history, and sociology of health professions. This three-year appointment affirms the integrity of her contributions and leadership.

Robyn Cooper, Leadership and Counseling, School of Education: Baker Endowed Professorship

Dr. Cooper’s receipt of the Baker Endowed Professorship recognizes her sustained commitment to student-centered teaching throughout her 15 years at Drake, grounded in equity, accessibility, and intellectual growth.  She has cultivated exceptional learning environments through curricular development and mentorship that resonates deeply with doctoral students, and has had a profound and generational impact on the education profession.  Robyn’s commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly activity, and service to the university make her a well-deserving recipient of the Baker Distinguished Professorship.

Christoph Henkel, Law School: Richard M and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law

This award honors Professor Christoph Henkel’s exceptional scholarship in international law, commercial arbitration, and financial regulation.  An internationally respected legal scholar, his impact spans more than 115 countries.  Beyond scholarship and teaching, Professor Henkel serves as an arbitrator for both the European Union and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, exemplifying the global reach of his expertise.  Christoph truly embodies the distinction this prestigious professorship was created to honor.

Dian Nostikasari, ENSS, College of Arts & Sciences: Troyer Research Fellowship  

In 2009, to recognize former Provost Dr. Ron Troyer’s unwavering commitment to the support of faculty research, the Board of Trustees of Drake University created the Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship.  Dr. Dian Nostikasari was awarded this competitive fellowship to support her research examining how communities respond to displacement and ecological loss caused by climate crises, conflict, and violence by centering care, memory, and collective healing.  Dian’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of integrity and the critically important focus of her work will continue to transform our world.

Windsor Professorship (two awards)

Selection of Windsor Professorship recipients is based on teaching effectiveness; professional contribution through scholarly activity, leadership roles, and consulting activities; and contributions to the mission of the department, college, and university.

Craige Wrenn, CPHS

Dr. Craige Wrenn’s selection as Windsor Professor of Science honors more than 21 years of service to Drake University marked by effective teaching, steady scholarship, and strong leadership.  Students regularly describe his courses as challenging and rewarding, and his expertise has supported learning across several academic programs.  Dr. Wrenn has built a strong record of scholarly work.  He is a prolific scholar, mentors Drake students, and supports their academic growth, and has provided consistently outstanding campus leadership.  This recognition fittingly acknowledges Craige’s clear commitment to academic quality, collaboration, and Drake’s mission lasting contributions to students, colleagues, and the university community.

Athanasios Petridis, A&S

Dr. Athan Petridis’s selection for the Windsor Professorship of Science recognizes his wide‑ranging impact as a devoted teacher, innovative scholar, and dedicated leader at Drake University.  His longstanding commitment to involving undergraduates as collaborators in research, combined with significant departmental and university service has shaped the physics curriculum through engaging, student‑centered teaching, modernized laboratory courses, and consistently demonstrated care for student learning and success.  Nationally recognized for undergraduate research, he founded and leads the undergraduate research MISSFIT group, mentoring students in high‑impact work that has earned external recognition and prestigious fellowships. This professorship honor fittingly acknowledges the depth, breadth, and influence of Athan’s work.

Ellis and Nelle Professorship (three awards)

The Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professorship has long been an important way to recognize and reward superior performance by Drake University faculty members.  The criteria for selection include teaching effectiveness as demonstrated by teaching in a classroom setting and/or mentoring in an experiential learning setting; professional contributions through scholarly activity, demonstrated leadership, consulting activities; and contributions to the mission of the department, college and university.

James Romain, A&S, Saxophone and Jazz Studies

Professor Jim Romain’s recognition represents a career defined by artistic accomplishment, dedicated teaching, and sustained service to Drake University.  Widely respected as a performer, he has a distinguished record of local, national, and international appearances, including with the Chicago, Minnesota, and Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with leading orchestras and musicians, and contributing an impressive body of recordings.  As an educator and mentor, he has developed a highly regarded saxophone studio whose students have achieved national success and strengthened Drake’s reputation.  Jim’s leadership and service, most notably during eight years as Chair of the Music Department and guiding the program through a successful accreditation, demonstrate a deep commitment to the university, its people, and the long-term vitality of the music program.

Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, School of Education, Counselor Education

Dr. Erguner-Tekinalp’s career reflects a commitment to teaching, scholarship, leadership, and service that has meaningfully shaped the culture of Drake University’s School of Education.  During her nearly 20 years at Drake, Dr. Erguner-Tekinalp has become widely respected as a teacher and mentor.  She creates caring learning environments grounded in relationship‑centered practice, while advocating for student wellbeing and equity beyond the classroom.  Her scholarship bridges counseling, wellness, contemplative practice, and anti‑oppressive pedagogy, influencing the discipline through preparation of future counselors.  Through steady, valued-driven leadership in program coordination, accreditation, faculty governance, and national professional roles, she has strengthened institutional systems while remaining deeply attentive to people.  Bengu’s work embodies Drake’s mission and models leadership that is both principled and humane.

Heidi Sleister, A&S, Biology

Dr. Heidi Sleister exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship, and university leadership.  She teaches at both introductory and advanced levels and is deeply committed to student learning and success, notably through the development of a Peer Learning Assistant model in introductory biology that has measurably improved student outcomes and has been adopted by other science programs.  Dr. Sleister is a strong advocate for experiential learning, undergraduate research, and internships, working actively to expand and formalize opportunities for students beyond the classroom.  In addition to contributing extensively to institutional initiatives such as transnational partnerships and pre-medical education, Heidi has received numerous awards and recognitions for her distinguished record of teaching and scholarship, and has an exemplary history of service to her department, College, and the University.  

Archive

Resources for First-Year Bulldog Parents

We hope you and your student are feeling excited about their transition to Drake! As summer continues, you might be wondering, “What’s next?”  

Here are a few meaningful ways you can help your student prepare for a successful start at Drake: 

  1. Enjoy the summer together! These weeks always seem to fly by. Take some intentional time over the next month to make some great memories together before the semester begins.
  1. Review the New Student Checklist. The checklist includes important tasks to ensure a smooth transition to Drake. Encourage your student to complete these key to-do items before day one: 
  • Check Drake email for important updates and reminders. 
  • Submit final high school and/or college/university transcripts and/or exam scores. 
  • Review recorded transfer credit on their unofficial academic transcript. 
  • Discuss proxy access and communication expectations for viewing and sharing academic and financial information.  
  1. Encourage your student to review their fall schedule. A quick review of their fall schedule now helps students:  
  • Feel confident about their chosen major(s).  
  • Stay informed about schedule updates, such as classroom locations and instructor assignments.
  • Begin thinking about how they’ll balance class time, studying, campus involvement, and more.  
  1. Keep important resources handy. Drake offers many resources to support students academically, professionally, and personally. We encourage you to print and save this on-page guide to student support resources for quick reference throughout the year.  

Our advising team is available all summer! Students can contact their Academic Advising Specialist in Starfish via myDrake if they have questions, need to share new information, or would like to reconnect before the semester begins.   

Campus Announcements Archive

Youth Entrepreneurship Day Camp

Registration is open for Drake University’s inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Day. The new program will take place on Tuesday, July 14, and is designed for students entering sixth through eighth grade.

Hosted by the Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the one-day experience gives middle school students a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship from Drake staff. Students will identify a real-world problem, map a business model, and pitch their ideas to peers and instructors.

Drake is hosting the Youth Entrepreneurship Day Camp in Aliber Hall, 2847 University Avenue, Des Moines. The program begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $75 per camper, and lunch is included. Space is limited, and families are encouraged to register their children by Saturday, June 27.

— Chase Spencer, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Strategic Updates Archive

A&S Dean Gesine Gerhard’s Next Chapter at Saint Mary’s College of California

Following the recent announcement that Gesine Gerhard is stepping down as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, we are pleased to share an update on her next professional chapter. Dean Gerhard has accepted a position as the inaugural Dean of the newly unified School of Arts & Sciences at Saint Mary’s College of California, effective July 1, 2026.

As Dean Gerhard prepares for this transition, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible legacy she leaves behind. Her contributions have prepared the College of Arts & Sciences to thrive in the years to come.

Please join us in congratulating Dean Gerhard and wishing her the very best in California.

— Jill Allen, College of Arts & Sciences, Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives

Campus Announcements Archive

Celebrate Pride with Drake at the Capital City Pride Parade

June is Pride Month—our opportunity to celebrate Drake’s LGBTQIA+ community, honor their accomplishments, and support the ongoing pursuit of equal justice.

Come celebrate with us and walk alongside Drake University in the 2026 Capital City Pride Parade! All students, staff, faculty, alumni, and allies are welcome.

  • When: Sunday, June 14. Meet at 11:15 a.m. Parade from 12–1 p.m.
  • Where: East Village, Parking Lot 16 (Corner of E. Des Moines St. and E. 14th St.; entrance on E. Des Moines St.)
  • What to wear: Your favorite Drake Blue!

Griff II will be joining us! While it’s a bit too warm for him to walk the route, he’ll be cruising along in the air-conditioned Griffmobile.

How to get involved:

  • Walk with us: Please register here so we know how many materials to bring.
  • Donate candy: If you can’t make it but still want to support, you can send candy for the parade to the Alumni House (2700 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311) to arrive by Friday, June 12.
  • Please email your receipt to Gregory Lin (gregory.lin@drake.edu) so we can credit you for the contribution.

— Gregory Lin, Alumni Relations

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

A Guide to Drake University’s 159th Commencement Ceremonies: May 16–17

Drake University will award 1,319 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees at its 2026 spring commencement ceremonies. Drake will host the undergraduate ceremony at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, and the graduate and doctoral ceremony will follow at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies will take place in the Knapp Center at 2601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, and be presided over by Drake University President Marty Martin.

Griff II ‘Graduates’

A special guest at this year’s undergraduate ceremony will be Griff II, who will “graduate” from his official live mascot duties and cross the stage with the Class of 2026. Griff III officially accepted the live mascot responsibilities at a ceremony on May 8, 2026, at Old Main and will serve the University in the years to come, accompanied by his caretaker, Erin Bell.

Commencement Speakers

Kristopher (Kris) Covi, alumnus speaker

The Drake University undergraduate ceremony will include remarks from alumnus Kristopher (Kris) Covi, AS’95, welcoming new Drake graduates into a community of more than 75,000 Bulldogs. Covi is a shareholder at Dvorak Law Group in Omaha, Neb., and currently serves on the Drake University National Alumni Board of Directors. He earned his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1998. In his spare time, Covi is a comedian and does stand-up comedy shows in the Omaha area.

Katelyn Jetelina, Ph.D., honorary degree recipient, Doctor of Humane Letters

Katelyn Jetelina, Ph.D., is a distinguished epidemiologist and the founder of Your Local Epidemiologist, a newsletter that has reached more than 500 million readers globally. A TIME100 Most Influential People in Health honoree, she has served as a as a senior advisor to three former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directors. She is a co-founder of The Evidence Collective and an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Public Health, dedicated to translating complex data into actionable public health insights. Jetelina earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 2016 in epidemiology and biostatistics and her master’s degree in public health in 2014 from the University of Texas Health Science Center. She completed a bachelor’s degree in physiology from the University of Arizona in 2011. Jetelina also holds an honorary doctorate from The State University of New York (SUNY).

Emerson Whittemore, Oreon E. Scott Senior Legacy Award, Fulbright scholar, and undergraduate ceremony speaker

Each year, Drake presents the Oreon E. Scott Senior Legacy Award to an undergraduate student leader who embodies scholarship, leadership, service, and involvement. This year’s honoree is Emerson Whittemore. Whittemore is from Brooklyn Park, Minn. She is graduating from Drake with majors in sociology and Spanish and a minor in leadership education and development.

While attending Drake University, she has been part of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute, Student Alumni Association, Violence Intervention Partners, Student Senate, a peer mentor/academic consultant, Alpha Kappa Delta, Phi Beta Kappa, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. She is a leadership selection committee member for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Council and District Directors. During the summer of 2025, Whittemore served as a social and human rights intern at El Instituto Educativo San Gregorio El Iluminador and El Instituto Superior Daguerre in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Upon graduation, Whittemore will be working as a traveling leadership consultant for the Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity headquarters until March of 2027, when she will move to Uruguay on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship grant through November of 2027.

Alicia Chilton, graduate ceremony speaker

Alicia Chilton will address graduate students and guests at the commencement ceremony for graduate and doctoral degree recipients. Chilton is graduating from Drake University with her Master of Business Administration degree. She currently works at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, where she is the vice president of marketing. Before joining the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Chilton worked at Drake for more than two years as the assistant director of marketing. While employed at Drake, she collaborated with the annual giving team to help fundraise during the “All In” program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Iowa State University, with minors in design studies and apparel merchandising.

Commencement Schedule, Parking, and Livestream

Saturday, May 16

  • 3 p.m.: The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Doctoral Hooding and Commencement Ceremony
  • 7 p.m.: The Drake Law School Commencement

Sunday, May 17

  • 10 a.m.: The 159th Commencement Ceremony for Undergraduate Degree Recipients
  • 2 p.m.: The 159th Commencement Ceremony for Graduate and Doctoral Degree Recipients

Drake will stream all four ceremonies at live.drake.edu. Free parking is available in campus lots during the ceremonies. For more details, visit the Registrar’s website.