Please join the Drake University Honors Program for a special event recognizing Charlene Skidmore for her extraordinary service and lasting contributions to the Honors program.

For 35 years, Charlene served Drake University and the Honors Program, providing continuity, leadership, and care across generations of students and through many changes in faculty leadership. In recognition of her remarkable legacy, the Honors Program will dedicate a plaque in her honor to be displayed in the Medbury Honors Lounge.

We invite members of the campus and alumni community to join us on Friday, April 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. in the Medbury Honors Lounge for remarks and light refreshments as we celebrate Charlene’s many years of dedication to the Honors Program and to Drake University.

— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education

ISGC Spring Research Symposium

April 28, 2026

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) invites the Drake Community to attend the Spring Research Symposium on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, held at the Olmsted Center at Drake University.

The afternoon will feature selected scholar presentations and a poster session showcasing innovative research from ISGC-supported students.

This event is free, offering a great opportunity to engage with emerging research, connect with students and faculty, and expand your professional network.

Light refreshments will be provided.

12:45 – 12:50 pm       Welcome address: Dr. Sara D. Nelson, ISGC Director – Sussman Theater

12:50 – 2:20 pm              Presentations by select scholars and projects- Sussman Theater

2:20– 2:30 pm                 Break and move to Parents Hall

2:30 – 3:45 pm                 Poster session – CR310-313

3:45 – 3:50 pm                 Closing Comments – Parents Hall

— Lori Byrd, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

Help the Office of Sustainability by volunteering with Relays Recycling. Join us for an hour shift to pick up and sort recycling throughout the Drake Stadium. Sign up on DUgood here.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

As highlighted earlier this year in OnCampus, Drake University continues working closely with the City of Des Moines to enhance pedestrian safety in and around campus. These efforts are an important step toward creating a safer and more walkable environment for everyone.

With the change in weather, we expect to see an increase in people walking, running, and biking across campus. We ask all community members—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—to stay alert, follow posted traffic rules, and share campus pathways responsibly.

Key Safety Updates and Reminders

Reduced Speed on Forest Avenue

To promote safety along one of the busiest corridors near campus, the speed limit on Forest Avenue has been reduced to 30 mph. In addition, no parking is permitted on either side of Forest Avenue from 31st Street to 25th Street. These changes help improve visibility and reduce risks for pedestrians crossing or traveling near the roadway.  Even with these changes, we ask all drivers to be vigilant and pay extra attention in this area.

Sidewalk Access Restricted to Pedestrians

To further support a pedestrian‑friendly campus, we remind everyone that private vehicles are not allowed on University sidewalks at any time. The only exceptions include:

• Emergency response vehicles
• Approved clearly marked University vehicles
• Vehicles that have received prior approval from Drake Public Safety

Any private vehicle—including contractor vehicles—parked on sidewalks or pedestrian pathways are subject to ticketing and towing without notice. These restrictions protect pedestrian safety, prevent damage to walkways, and help preserve campus green spaces.

Everyone Plays a Part

Creating a safe campus environment requires cooperation from all members of our community. Whether you are driving, biking, or walking, please remain aware of your surroundings and follow posted signs and regulations.

Together, we can continue making Drake’s campus a safer, more welcoming place for everyone.

— Scott Law, Executive Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

April is here, and that means Griff is off to the races!

Each month, we release a new limited-edition Griff design so you can build your collection all year long. Collect all 12 designs, and you will unlock a bonus exclusive at the end of the year.

Spring into April with the Drake Relays inspired Griff t-shirt. Built for speed and school spirit, this design is the perfect way to rep the Bulldogs during one of the biggest events of the season.

Collect them all!

— Bulldog Shop

Are you interested in keeping up to date with sustainability on campus? Sign up to receive the monthly Sustainability Newsletter.

Here you can see March’s newsletter.

Here you can see February’s newsletter.

Email sustainability@drake.edu if you have any questions or have an event you want to spotlight in the newsletter.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

Please join us for a special celebration of faculty research and academic achievement on Thursday, April 9, from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Cowles Reading Room. Faculty who submitted their recent publications will be featured on a rolling slide show, and their physical publications may be displayed. Please join us to celebrate the incredible contributions of our faculty.

Refreshments will include an assortment of light snacks and beverages.

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Some clutter is easy to overlook, especially the kind hiding on our devices or in desk drawers. Spring is a great time to clear out those forgotten spaces. To protect sensitive and personal information, start by reviewing your computer’s Downloads folder, which often becomes a catch-all for files you only need once. Delete old downloads, especially any containing private or confidential data, and move important files to intentional, secure folders with appropriate “share” settings. After deleting, remember to actually empty your computer’s recycle bin or trash to ensure those files are permanently removed. This not only makes your computer easier to navigate (and helps with performance) but also helps prevent accidental exposure of sensitive information. For more tips and guidance, check out our new Knowledge Base article: Spring Cleaning for Digital Security. 

Spring cleaning season is also a good time to shred outdated physical paperwork, especially anything containing personal or sensitive information. Always follow University security best practices by securely destroying documents that contain data such as student records, financial information, or passwords. If a document is already stored securely online (using encrypted platforms like OneDrive or Teams), consider whether you really need a hard copy, and make sure your digital files are protected with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Finally, take a moment to reflect on what you actually use. Letting go of files, documents, and materials you haven’t touched in months can help reduce clutter (both digital and physical) and make your everyday work a little smoother. Regularly reviewing and removing unnecessary information from your devices and workspaces is an important part of maintaining security and safeguarding the sensitive data you have access to.

— Becky Klein, ITS