The 2025 edition of the Drake University Social Science Journal is now available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/currentedition/.

The Journal publishes exceptional social science research conducted by Drake University students. Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology).The first edition of the Journal appeared in 1999 (back editions are available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/). 

The 2025 edition features articles by Lauren Buchanan, Stell Depuydt, Mitchell P. Davis, Catalina Samaniego, and Chloe Q. Slater. 

The Journal’s student editorial board consisted of Berkeley Coyne, Anna Knueve, Lizzy O’Neel, Carson Smith, Reid Stevens, and Madison Tarr. 

Congratulations to the above students for their hard work and dedication to high-quality social science research.

— David Skidmore, Professor of Political Science/Global Citizenship Director

Rec Services will have modified hours during finals week, May 12–18.

Bell Center
May 12–13: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
May 14–15: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 16: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 17–18: Closed

Underground Fitness
May 12: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May 13–summer: Closed

Roger Knapp Tennis Center
May 12–13: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
May 14: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
May 15–18: Closed

Bell Center Pool
Check rec.drake.edu for reservations

The Olmsted Center and Bulldog Shop will be undergoing exciting renovations this summer to refresh and upgrade the space for the fall semester.

To prepare for the refresh, the Bulldog Shop will close May 17 following graduation and reopen on May 27 in a temporary space in the lower level of Hubbell Dining Hall. If you’ll be around campus this summer, stop by the temporary store and say hello to Kyle (the best campus store manager)! Or you can shop online 24/7 at drake.ecampus.com for all your Bulldog essentials.

Thanks for your patience while we renovate. We can’t wait to welcome you back to our updated space this fall.

— Bulldog Shop

The Broadlawns Drake Student Counseling Center is excited to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a virtual workshop centered on accessing and healing sacred rage and grief impacted by historical and present systems of power. We recognize that our mental health is influenced by our ability to feel and respond to the environment and experiences around and within us. This free virtual workshop with be facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Mullan, the founder of Decolonizing Therapy ^TM and best-selling author of “Decolonizing Therapy”, on May 2nd from 10-12pm. This event is co-sponsored by the Slay Fund for Social Justice, Office of Equity and inclusion, and Broadlawns Drake Student Counseling Center. Drake and local attendees will also be entered into a raffle to win up to 20 Decolonizing Therapy books.  Register today!

When: May 2, 10-12 p.m.

Where: Virtual, Register here.

Looking ahead to Olmsted’s summer refresh, we wanted to alert you of the change in location for some of the Olmsted services for summer. After finals week, all staff and offices normally housed in Olmsted will be moving to other locations during construction.  Additional information about the summer schedules and locations for each office are listed below – feel free to contact the office directly if you have questions about availability or location during the summer, as there may be adjustments to their normal hours or availability due to construction or staffing.

• Olmsted Starbucks will be closed for summer.
• Underground Fitness will be closed for the summer.
• Campus Print Operations will be closed for the summer.
• The Bulldog Shop will move to Lower Hubbell.
  • Summer Hours – 10am – 4pm
  • https://drakehelp.ecampus.com/
• Student Services will move to Johansen Student Center.
  • Summer hours – Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm
  • studentservices@drake.edu
• Campus Mail Operations will move to Johansen Student Center.
  • Summer hours – Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 1pm
  • campusmailoperations@drake.edu
• Conferences and Events will move to Jewett Hall.
  • campsandconferences@drake.edu
• Residence Life will move to Johansen Student Center.
  • housing@drake.edu
• Sodexo Food Services will work out of Hubbell Dining Hall.
  • dining@drake.edu

Construction is planned to be completed before the start of the fall academic semester, so many of the offices will be returning to Olmsted in August.  Student Services plans to remain in Johansen through the start of the Fall semester, and will move back in September.

— Sara Heijerman

Drake Theatre invites you to the final production of the 2024-2025 season, A Doll’s House, part 2 on May 1–4.

Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play A DOLL’S HOUSE famously ends with the sound of a closing door as Nora Helmer decides to leave her husband and children behind to find her own place in the world.  That closing door was the sound that ushered in the modern era of play writing.  Lucas Hnath’s A DOLL’S HOUSE (part 2) picks up 15 years after Ibsen’s classic.  Nora has returned to her former home.  Where has she been?  Why is she back? How will her family react?  

Tickets are $8/students, $10/adults and can be purchased online at drake.edu/fineartsboxoffice or in person at the box office.

— Amber Hussain

Campus Free Speech: Should There Be Limits?

Attend a campus dialogue on free speech and share your perspective in a nonpartisan structured discussion.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, from 7–9 p.m.

WHERE: Medbury Honors Lounge

All are welcome. The event is sponsored by the Spring 2025 First Year Seminar: Dialogue in a Polarized Age

The event is free. Register here.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner—May 11th—and Bulldog Shop has the perfect gifts for every Drake mom. Whether you’re looking for something cozy, practical, or a little sentimental, you’ll find just the right gift to show her how much you care.

Here are a few ideas to help you choose the perfect gift:

• Drake University Mom Crewneck – A cozy sweatshirt to show off her Bulldog pride.
• 18oz Tumbler – Perfect for keeping drinks hot or cold, a must-have for moms on the go.
• Vanilla Candle – A soothing, calming addition to any space, perfect for relaxing.
• Drake Bulldogs Necklace – A meaningful, elegant gift that shows off her Bulldog pride.

— The Bulldog Shop