All posts by Jerry Parker

For Students Archive

Des Moines Menace Host Open Cup April 2, Discounted Tickets

The Menace have advanced to the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup and will be hosting the next match Wednesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. Their roster has former Drake soccer player, Leroy Enzugusi, including former MLS All-Stars and Olympians and has garnered nationwide attention from the likes of ESPN, the New York Times, USA Today, and Apple TV.

Drake University students are invited to join us for this historic night. To make this match as accessible as possible to our local soccer community, our friends at Kick It Forward are covering $10 OFF each ticket purchased to the match. Thanks to this support, General Admission tickets for this match will only be $3 and Midfield Comfort seats will be $8.

The Menace would love to see as many Bulldogs as possible!

Ticket Link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/OpenCupRound2

Discount Code: DRAKEOPENCUP (applies $10 off per ticket)

— Jerry Parker, Vice President & Dean of Students

For Students Archive

Federal Student Loans for Summer Semester

Undergraduate and pharmacy (P1-P3) students who want to borrow federal student loans for the summer semester must complete the Summer Financial Aid Application.

Graduate and law students who are registered at least half-time (5+ credits) for summer and who have completed the 2025–2026 FAFSA will automatically be offered their federal student loan eligibility for the summer semester. These students should only complete this form if they receive a financial aid offer that does not include financial aid for the summer semester.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

Campus Announcements Archive

Beautiful Bulldog Contest April 21

Mark your calendars for the 46th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest®. The contest will take place Monday, April 21, at 6 p.m. Doors will open to fans at 5 p.m. to enjoy the Rescue Dog Festival and Kids Zone before the pageant begins. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a giveaway for the first 125 students to show up with their Drake ID.

The Beautiful Bulldog Contest® at Drake University is a unique trademarked event with an over 40-year history. The event kicks off a week-long Drake Relays celebration. Thirty English Bulldogs walk the pup-way to impress judges in hopes of being crowned the Most Beautiful Bulldog. The winner of the contest will reign as the Most Beautiful Bulldog for the 2025 Drake Relays.

For questions, email beautifulbulldog@drake.edu.

— Courtney Conrad, Alumni Office

For Students Archive

Grad Fair: Everything You Need for Commencement

Attention graduates: Don’t miss the Grad Fair on Tuesday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pomerantz Stage. This is your one-stop shop to get everything you need for graduation.

  • Jostens will be your vendor for cap and gowns, class rings, and graduation announcements to make sure you’re ready for your big day.
  • The Alumni Office will be there, handing out freebies and providing information about how to stay connected after you graduate.
  • Special Offer: Get 10% OFF when you purchase your regalia and a diploma frame during Grad Fair.

Mark your calendars! Learn more: https://calendar.drake.edu/event/grad-fair-6864

— Bulldog Shop

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Mandatory Security Awareness Training

On Monday, April 7, ITS and our partner KnowBe4 will share a mandatory cybersecurity awareness training module with all Drake employees. You’ll receive email instructions to access the training module that day, which should take you less than 10 minutes to complete. You’ll have a month to finish this mandatory training, but we encourage you to complete it right away.

This year’s training topic uses reading, videos, and a brief assessment to teach about the foundations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on our security. This training is required to maintain compliance with security laws applicable to the University and help reduce cyber insurance premiums. It also helps our Drake community be safer online and more effectively protect both institutional and personal data.

Thank you for investing your time to better safeguard Drake University against cyber threats.

— Becky Klein, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

SPARC Speed Networking and Grant Reviewer Panel

DATE: Wednesday, April 9
TIME: 3-5 P.M.
PLACE: Faculty Lounge, Howard Hall, Room 212

 Grant Reviewer Panel at 3–4 p.m.
Drake faculty who served as grant reviewers for federal, state and/or private agencies will provide information about what reviewers really look for in grant applications.  Come hear what they have to say and ask questions.

Networking Session 4–5 p.m.

  • Meet other faculty
  • Bring your project ideas to share
  • Identify possible collaborations

SPARC staff will also be on hand to discuss funding opportunities and answer questions. Refreshments will be available.

RSVP to lori.byrd@drake.edu.

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library April Featured Collections

This April brings a literary treat,
With poems and books, both can’t be beat!
It’s National Poetry Month so let’s celebrate,
With rhymes and stories that captivate!

For bookish hearts and poets, too,
We’ve got the perfect reads for you.
Come browse in person, or click online,
A book, a poem – your perfect find.

National Poetry Month – Immerse yourself in the power of poetry with a curated collection featuring classic and contemporary poets. Explore diverse voices, styles, and themes that bring language to life.
Books About Books (Early April) – Dive into stories where libraries, bookstores, and book lovers take center stage! Our selection includes fiction and nonfiction that celebrate the magic of books and the people who cherish them.

Stop by, get inspired, and discover your next favorite read at Cowles Library!

—Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library


Campus Announcements Archive

Disability Awareness Week April 7–12

Join the Disability Coalition for its third annual Disability Awareness Week from April 7–12. From a panel on the connections between mental and physical health, to a student-led presentation on how Drake can best support disabled students, to trivia and resources in the Olmsted Breezeway—there’s something for everyone in this week dedicated to accessibility and advocacy.

Professional captioning will be available at the events on April 7 and 9. Contact disabilitycoalition@drake.edu with any questions or additional accommodation requests.

— Morgan Ryan, AS