The Office of Sustainability is conducting a transportation survey to gain insight on the transportation behaviors of students, faculty, and staff. Your feedback will provide important information to make sustainable transportation more obtainable and convenient. More importantly, it will provide a baseline for Drake to accurately track scope three greenhouse gas emissions. This will allow Drake to complete an updated carbon footprint report and track the University’s progress toward meeting the carbon reduction targets outlined in the Climate Action Plan.

Thank you to those of you who have completed the survey.  If you haven’t, please take five minutes to complete it.  The survey is quick, anonymous, and will help Drake identify opportunities to reduce our Carbon footprint.

For more information about alternative transportation and Drake’s sustainability initiatives, visit Drake’s Sustainability Website.

— Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator

The Adams Leadership Award ceremony is an annual, campus-wide tradition to celebrate the achievements of student leaders and organizations at Drake University. Each spring we honor students and organizations who have made valuable contributions to the campus community through their outstanding commitment to leadership.

Consider nominating any Drake students and student organizations who have exhibited strong leadership and excellence throughout the 2022–2023 academic year. Nominations can be submitted by any Drake student, faculty, or staff member. Award categories include:

• Outstanding First Year Student
• Outstanding Residence Hall Leader
• Outstanding Equity and Inclusion Program
• Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year
• …and many more!

View a full list of awards and the nomination form here. The nomination deadline is Sunday, April 9th.

All award nominees and winners will be recognized at the 2023 Adams Leadership Awards ceremony in Sheslow Auditorium on Saturday, May 6th at 2pm. (Save the date! All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.)

If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Economos, director of student leadership programs, at kristin.economos@drake.edu.

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

Discover how the Black Panther Party transformed Des Moines and its mission to restore power to the people on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6–7:30 p.m. in Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center. Hear from State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, who was involved in the Black Panther Party movement and formed a non-profit organization. He will be joined by a few other panelists, including a Drake student sharing about her community engagement experiences while at Drake and a representative from a local non-profit organization to share about current ways people can get involved.

A timeline of photos will also be displayed at the event, chronicling the history of the Black Panther Party as it relates to today’s neighborhood. Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

The Drake University Constitutional Law Center is pleased to announce Michael Rappaport as presenter of the 2023 Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture. His lecture titled “The Challenge for Originalism from Precedent” will be delivered virtually on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. and registration is free and open to the public.

Rappaport is the Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Professor of Law and the Director for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at the University of San Diego School of Law. Having published numerous scholarly works, he is a highly regarded expert in constitutional law. His research interests include originalism, administrative law, the separation of power, federalism, the constitutional amendment process, and supermajority rules.

The Drake Constitutional Law Center initiated the Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture Series in 2012 to feature prominent experts on the topic of the Iowa Constitution. Judge James Grant participated in drafting the Iowa Constitution and was known for his public service, integrity, and dedication to the law. The lecture series is made possible by the generous gifts of Patrick Grant, LW’76, and the Grant family.

Visit https://bit.ly/3Ho6K71 for registration information. CLE credit is applied for and pending.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a program that  helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. Eligible households can receive up to a $30/month discount on internet service (or $75/month for households in Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 for computer or tablet purchases.

Eligibility is based on household income or the receipt of certain government assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Free and Reduced-Price Lunch, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other programs. Visit acpbenefit.org for more information and to apply.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

Going forward, the office formerly known as Student Financial Planning will be called the Financial Aid Office.

This is a change in name but not in function—our office still desires to assist students with financial planning as it relates to financing their education and repaying student loans. In making this change we seek to increase our visibility with students and parents, who are more accustomed to searching for “the financial aid office”.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

Nominations are open! The Adams Leadership Awards are an annual, campus-wide tradition to celebrate the achievements of all student leaders and organizations at Drake University. Each May, we honor students and organizations who have made valuable contributions to the campus community through their outstanding commitment to leadership.

Please consider nominating any Drake students and student organizations who have exhibited strong leadership and excellence throughout the fall 2022 semester. Nominations can be submitted by any Drake student, faculty, or staff member.

Award categories include:

• Outstanding First Year Student
• Outstanding Residence Hall Leader
• Outstanding Equity & Inclusion Program
• Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year
• …and many more!

View a full list of awards and the nomination form. Nominations will be open throughout the spring semester, but don’t wait – nominate fall 2022 events and student leaders today!

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership