Welcome, first-generation Bulldogs!

Drake defines a first-generation student as a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, about 20% of our incoming students are first-generation students.

The Office of New Student Programs and First-Generation Student Organization would like to invite you to attend the First-Generation Student Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 4:30–6 p.m. in Pomerantz Stage area in the Olmsted Center. Let’s get together to welcome our new first-gen Bulldogs and kick off the start of the academic year together. This is an opportunity to celebrate Drake’s first–generation students, faculty, and staff and to continue building relationships and support within the community. Feel free to drop in anytime between 4:30–6 p.m. for some ice cream and to mingle with other first-generation Bulldogs.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

The 2024 state-wide Mark S. Cady Day of Public Service (Cady Day) will take place on Friday, Oct. 25. This will mark the 5^th year that members of the Iowa legal community have come together to perform public service or pro bono work to honor the legacy of the late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady. Cady’s career as a public servant spanned nearly four decades and was marked by his devotion to the pursuit of justice for all Iowans.

In four years, Cady Day of Service has grown to include hundreds of volunteers serving their communities through legal clinics, community service, and educational programming. The positive impact of these efforts touches tens of thousands of individuals throughout Iowa and beyond. “The annual Cady Day of Public Service is a memorial to Justice Cady’s character, his legacy as a jurist, and his contributions to Iowa’s legal community,” said Melvin O. Shaw, president of The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA). “An untold number of Iowans gain greater access to justice, receive no-cost legal services, and benefit greatly from free legal advice, clinics, and community programs that are held across the state in honor of Cady Day. The ISBA is proud to partner with Drake Law School once again in helping meet the needs of all Iowans in recognition of the life led by Justice Cady.”

“I am honored to join a legal community that emphasizes justice and service for all of its citizens, and Cady Day of Service is a shining example of that commitment,” said Roscoe Jones, Jr., dean of Drake Law School. “I am looking forward to participating in my first Cady Day and seeing first-hand the impact of this impressive event.”

Cady Day of Service is sponsored by Drake University Law School, The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Legal Aid, and Polk County Bar Association. Visit the Cady Day of Public Service website for more information and to register your event or project: www.drake.edu/law/alumni/events/markscadydayofpublicservice/. Projects planned in honor of Cady Day, even if they do not occur on Oct. 25, will be recognized as a Cady Day of Service project and your efforts will be celebrated.

For more information contact Theresa Howard at theresa.howard@drake.edu.

— Taylor Johnson, Drake Law

Each year, Drake University holds an event in honor of Constitution Day. The event usually involves a speech by a distinguished expert in constitutional law. The speaker also typically meets with the faculty at the law school.

2024 Constitution Day Lecture

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
3 p.m., Room 213, Cartwright Hall

Title: “Race and American Democracy”

Speaker: Guy-Uriel E. Charles, 2024 Coif Distinguished Visitor; Charles Ogletree, Jr. Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School

Read his bio here.

This event is free but you must register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drake-law-constitution-day-lecture-2024-registration-946624127247

— Dawn Brown, Law School

Ruth Harkin has spent decades serving in senior positions in government in both Iowa and Washington, DC, the private sector, and in law. Now, she can add the title of author to her resume. Ruth’s new book, When My Husband Ran for President and Other Short Stories will be published September 5, 2024.

This book launch event will include remarks from Ruth and former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha Ternus in the auditorium at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center. After remarks, Ruth and Senator Tom Harkin (retired) will be available for a brief question and answer session, followed by a book signing by Ruth in the atrium.

The book will be available for purchase at the event, as well as at bookstores and on Amazon. All author proceeds from the book will be donated to The Harkin Institute endowment fund.

Register now to attend

— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute

Professor Melissa Weresh, Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions, is pleased to announce the 2024 Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions Symposium: Ethics in the Legal Profession. The symposium will be held on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, from 9 a.m.- noon at Drake University Law School, Cartwright Hall, room 213.  

 The symposium will feature two panel presentations. The first panel will address ethical issues associated with areas of the country with sparse attorney populations, also known as “rural deserts.” The second panel focuses on ethical issues associated with generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in the practice of law.

Space is limited and registration is required. Please click here to reserve your spot at the symposium.

 Please direct any questions regarding the symposium to Melissa H. Weresh, Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions, Drake University Law School, melissa.weresh@drake.edu.

The Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Professions was established by Herb Baum and his wife, Karen, in 2010. Herb graduated from Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration in 1958 and served on the Drake University Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2014. He spent the bulk of his career promoting business ethics. This prestigious faculty position guides students across the University in developing a firmly grounded personal commitment to the highest standards of ethics and ethical decision making.

— Terri Howard, Drake Law

We are excited to offer the Golf: For Business & Life program back this Fall. If you are interested in learning the game of golf, this program is for you!  For more information, check out link here.

— Lisa Murphy, Recreational Services