Drake University is excited to announce the expansion of the Martin Bucksbaum Lectureship Series. Under the expansion, the University will now have two lectureship tracks—the original Bucksbaum Distinguished Lectureship and a newly launched Bucksbaum Lectureship in Business, which is made possible by an additional gift from Melva Bucksbaum and Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan. 

Managed through Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business, the new lecture track addresses topics at the intersection of business and society. Students and community members are invited to take part in an intellectual conversation with some of the nation’s foremost thought leaders to discuss how business and entrepreneurialism can make both an economic and societal impact.  

Inaugural Speaker: Heather McGhee 

Heather McGhee, the New York Times best-selling author and a champion of equality in America, will be giving the Inaugural Bucksbaum Lectureship in Business on Nov. 1 in Sheslow Auditorium on Drake’s campus. McGhee’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees will need to register ahead of time at Drake.edu/Bucksbaum. The lecture will also be livestreamed at Live.Drake.edu. 

Throughout her career in public policy, McGhee has crafted legislation, testified before Congress, and helped shape presidential campaign platforms. Her book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Us and How We Can Prosper Together, spent 10 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was longlisted for the National Book Award and Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. She has most recently adapted her book for young readers with companion materials for classrooms. Her 2020 TED talk, “Racism Has a Cost for Everyone,” has been viewed more than 2.5 million times.    

“We couldn’t think of a better speaker to kickstart our inaugural lecture. This is an incredible opportunity to offer students, our campus community and anyone with a vested interest in the business field an important perspective to better enable business as a force for good,”​​ said Alejandro Hernandez, Dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. “I want to recognize and thank the late Melva and her daughter Mary for their continued generous support of Drake as we work to honor Martin’s memory with this second track of the lectureship series.” 

Carrying on the Legacy 

Nearly 30 years ago, Martin and Melva Bucksbaum launched their vision for sparking community discussion about the most poignant issues of our time through a generous gift to the University that helped establish the Martin Bucksbaum Lectureship Series. The late Martin Bucksbaum was a local business leader who served as chairman and CEO of General Growth Properties. He was also a member of the University’s governing board. Over the years, the Lectureship has included world-renowned speakers including Maya Angelou, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Bob Woodward, and many others—historically attracting more than 1,000 guests to the Knapp Center. 

Join the Drake community for a panel discussion Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6–7:30 p.m. in Sussman Theater as we come together to advocate for the preservation of intellectual freedom.

Registration is required

Our communities thrive on diversity and free expression, and it is essential that we amplify the importance of access to a wide range of literary works, even those that may be challenging or controversial. Drake University supports the right to explore different perspectives and defends the freedom of thought and expression. 

Panelists will range from legislators, educators, librarians, and activists who will share their experiences and perspectives on book banning. Topics discussed will include:

• The history and impact of book banning on literature and society. 
• The importance of diverse voices and viewpoints in literature. 
• Strategies to protect intellectual freedom and combat censorship. 

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. The event is free and open to all individuals who value the freedom to read, think, and explore new ideas. Whether you’re an avid reader, a concerned parent, an educator, or simply someone who believes in the power of literature to challenge and expand our understanding of the world, this panel discussion is an opportunity to stand up for the right to access diverse literary content. 

Also, check out Cowles Library’s featured collection this month that showcases some of the books currently being challenged in Iowa.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to celebrate the opening of Mediacom Stadium, the new home for Drake Soccer and new venue for Des Moines Public Schools athletics and activities on Thursday, Oct. 12. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. A program and ribbon cutting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. The Des Moines Roosevelt football team will play Waukee at 7:30 p.m. on new the field, marking the first-ever contest in the stadium.

— Ryan Arnold, Community Engagement

Ambassador Branstad will host the second annual U.S.-China Symposium at Drake University on Friday, Sept. 22, in Levitt Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

This annual symposium is an initiative of the Ambassador-in-Residence program at Drake, convening experienced professionals, academics, and other experts to speak on various topics related to China and U.S.-China relations, with the aim to provide a platform for multiple viewpoints and opportunities for candid discussion.

The 2023 symposium will include sessions on national security and defense with Lieutenant General Larry Nicholson (Retired), advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff; trade and business with Greyson Mann, Government Affairs Manager at the U.S.-China Business Council; and international relations with Bobby Richey, former Deputy Chief of Mission and Agriculture Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Learn more and register for the symposium at drake.edu/branstad.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement