Philosophy. Politics. Law. Artificial intelligence in American elections is raising important questions about our society and civic life. Join three distinguished speakers at the Drake University Law School who will tackle AI’s real-life impact in past and future elections, followed by free refreshments. This event is free and open to the general public.

Speakers:
– Drake Philosophy Professor Jennifer McCrickerd, PhD
– Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas
– Nyemaster Goode, P.C. Attorney Robert L. Palmer

Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-in-elections-sease-award-speaker-panel-tickets-1981856234347.

— Anthony J. Zarzycki, Law School

On Sunday, Feb. 15, from 3–5 p.m., Drake University’s The Comparison Project, in conjunction with the “Iowa Interfaith Exchange,” will host “Roads to Religion” in the Olmsted Center (Parents Hall) on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, features dozens of local religious communities, collectively representing 10+ religious (and spiritual) traditions. These communities will be arranged throughout the hall as on a map of the metro. Visitors will receive a map to guide their exploration.

 The event also includes musical and cultural performances by several of the participating communities. Food and drink will be provided by Drake’s catering service.

The Comparison Project engages in the practice of comparative philosophy of religion, increases understanding of local-lived religion, and cultivates interfaith literacy and leadership. It is supported by Drake’s Center for the Humanities, Drake’s Stringfellow and Hay Lectureships, Drake’s Slay Fund for Social Justice, Drake’s Principal Cener for Global Citizenship, Humanities Iowa, and Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation.

The ”Iowa Interfaith Exchange” includes Drake’s The Comparison Project along with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

For more information, please visit: http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu, or email: comparisonproject@drake.edu.

— Timothy D Knepper, Professor of Philosophy/Comparison Project Director

In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values. 

Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein.   

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.pdf 

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.pdf 

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.pdf 

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Drake professors Chris Porter and Chris Snider will host four virtual AI Lunch Club sessions starting Feb. 9 designed to help professionals, students, and curious learners understand and apply the latest generative AI tools.

All Drake faculty, staff, students and alumni are encouraged to sign up and share these events. There are sessions for beginners and advanced users of generative AI.

Feb. 9, 2026 – Getting Started with Generative AI

Feb. 16, 2026 – Gemini, Nano Banana and NotebookLM

Feb. 23, 2026 – Building Microsoft Copilot Agents

March 4, 2026 – Vibe coding with Claude, ChatGPT and Lovable

The sessions are free to attend thanks to a sponsorship from technology and management consultancy, Lean TECHniques. For more information, visit innovationprofs.com.

— Chris Snider, Professor of Digital Media

The Center for the Humanities invites you to join us in reading Natasha Brown’s razor-sharp 102-page novella, Assembly.

Drake students, faculty, or staff who want a book can request a free copy via this Google form.

Books will be available for pick-up at Nos Books, located in the Drake neighborhood, during the first 2 weeks of the spring semester (Jan 26-Feb 6). An optional but celebratory catered book chat will take place on Friday, March 6, at 10am, so readers can share their thoughts on the book.

The goals of this common read are to celebrate books and human ingenuity, and to promote connections among students, faculty, staff, and the Drake neighborhood through a focused reading experience. Please join us.

— Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English

The Center for the Humanities invites you to join us in reading Natasha Brown’s razor-sharp 102-page novella, Assembly.

Drake students, faculty, or staff who want a book can request a free copy via this Google form.

Books will be available for pick-up at Nos Books, located in the Drake neighborhood, during the first two weeks of the spring semester (Jan 26-Feb 6). An optional but celebratory catered book chat will take place on Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m., so readers can share their thoughts on the book.

The goals of this common read are to celebrate books and human ingenuity, and to promote connections among students, faculty, staff, and the Drake neighborhood through a focused reading experience. Please join us!

— Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English

In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values.

Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein.

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.pdf

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.pdf

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.pdf

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Provost’s Office

Rec Services will have adjusted hours for J-Term (Jan. 5–25)

Bell Center
Monday – Thursday: 11:00am-8:00pm
Friday: 11:00am-6:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Bell Center Pool
Check rec.drake.edu for updated hours.

Roger Knapp Tennis Center
Tuesday & Thursday: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Underground Fitness
CLOSED

*All Facilities CLOSED on Monday, January 19*

J–Term Fitness Schedule

Rec Services is offering Functional Fitness, BASIC Step Aerobics, and Kettlebells classes at the Bell Center from Jan. 13–22 from 12:15–12:45 p.m. Functional Fitness and Kettlebells are weight training classes, and Step is Gail’s attempt at feeling young again.  All three are great ways to get warm, get moving, and stay upright for as long as possible.

As the holiday season approaches, we want to help make sure your gifts arrive on time for the ones you love. Please keep our upcoming shipping deadlines in mind when placing your holiday orders. We recommend placing your online orders at drake.ecampus.com by Wednesday, Dec. 17, to ensure your gifts arrive in time before Dec. 25!

Bulldog Shop’s special holiday hours are noted below. The store will be closed beginning Saturday, Dec. 20, and any online orders placed during that time will begin processing once we reopen on Monday, Jan. 5.

Holiday Hours

Monday, Dec. 15 – Friday, Dec. 19: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20 – Sunday, Jan. 4: Closed

Thank you for being part of the Bulldog family. We appreciate your support and wish you and your loved ones a warm and joyful holiday season!