Tune into Everclass on Friday, Nov. 7, at 12 p.m. and step inside the world of high-stakes investigations with Utley Noble, LA’85, JD’88, a retired FBI agent whose career spanned some of the nation’s most consequential cases. From leading a multi-state search in a nationally known student abduction to collecting evidence at Ground Zero after 9/11, Noble has seen it all. In this Everclass session, he shares how investigators uncover truth amid chaos—revealing lessons in ethics, leadership, and problem-solving that extend far beyond law enforcement. Whether you’re drawn to forensic science or the mindset behind major investigations, you’ll gain rare insights from a life dedicated to uncovering the truth.

The conversation will be held on Zoom and registration is free.

Register here

— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations

University Communications and Marketing will hold professional headshot sessions Friday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Old Main, Room 115. The sessions are free to all students, faculty, and staff. Sign up for a session.

— James Hoover, University Communications and Marketing

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 award year (Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027) is now available at studentaid.gov.

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens should complete the 2026–2027 FAFSA to be considered for need-based grants, federal work-study, or to take advantage of federal student loan programs.

— Kristi Fuller, Financial Aid Office

The Drake Department of Theatre Arts is proud to present the final mainstage show of the fall semester, Julius Caesar. Adapted and directed by Professor Michael Rothmayer, this show follows Caesar, his ultimate assassination, and the events that ensue. The show runs Nov. 20–23 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Hall of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online or in person at the FAC box office.

The Ides of March are upon us!

— Ella Appelbaum, College of Arts & Sciences

Nov. 8 is National First-Generation Student Day. A first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, first-generation students make up 25% of Drake’s new student population. This includes 28% of new EFR students.

The Office of New Student and Family Programs, Drake First Gen Bulldogs (student organization), and college and school academic offices are partnering to celebrate Drake first-generation students, staff, and faculty.

Visit our website or see the image below for ways you can participate in the celebration.

We will have a table set up in Olmsted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to create awareness and pass out snacks and First Gen Bulldog stickers/buttons. We hope you can stop by to show your support and pick up a sticker. We also encourage you to follow us on Instagram.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

You’re invited to a fireside chat Thursday, Oct. 23, in Cartwright Hall at 3 p.m. featuring:

• William Renn Gade, Deputy General Counsel for Intelligence & Security U.S. Department of Defense
• Dennis Taylor, Former Secretary of Labor & Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kansas
• Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General & Former U.S. Rep. (MN-05)

A reception will follow at 4 p.m.

— Dawn Brown, Law School

Join student leaders and faculty and staff across Drake to fight food insecurity—a growing concern for members of our campus and region. Here are three ways to get involved:

Join the Drake Food Security Coalition. This working group will meet twice per semester to coordinate initiatives and create a plan of action for supporting Bulldogs in need as well as the work of area non-profits. Coalition membership is open to students, employees, non-profit partners, and Dogtown neighbors and business owners. Interest form here: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4VoS2VQ1bzikhZs

Find resources and spread the word. This special edition newsletter from the Office of Community Engaged Learning is all about free and low-cost food resources on and near campus and includes a map and information about volunteer opportunities: https://t.e2ma.net/webview/r64lwj/03b7ffd51b70cfe31c075bcd1657d24b

For employees, take a BUILD class on student food insecurity. Jessi Balk from the IMPACT CAP Drake Neighborhood Food Pantry will teach you to recognize signs of food insecurity and respond with sensitivity.  Supporting Students Through IMPACT: Understanding Food Insecurity and Connecting to Resources is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, 10–11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–311. Register on the HR internal site or email Linda Feiden.

Questions? Please contact Community Engaged Learning Director, Mallary Allen, or Student Food Security Peer, Kira Schall.

— Mallary Allen, Community Engaged Learning

The provost search committee has been actively reviewing applications to identify semi-finalists.  Semi-finalists will be interviewed virtually and finalists will be identified by the first week of November. Please continue to visit the campus sharepoint site for details and progress on the search: https://drakeedu.sharepoint.com/sites/ProvostSearch.

— Charles Phillips, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Registration for the Drake Road Races is now open. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this Drake Relays tradition and finish on the iconic Blue Oval. The two-day flash sale ends tonight at midnight—lock in the lowest prices of the year:

Half Marathon – $55
10k – $35
5k – $25

All participants receive a premium apparel item, commemorative medal, race bib, free race photos, a ticket to the Drake Relays Distance Carnival on Thursday, April 23, and more.

CLICK HERE to register!

— Ben Huftalin, Drake Relays