The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who demonstrate the Six Pillars (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship) of CHARACTER COUNTS! Individuals, organizations, schools, and communities can all be nominated. Award recipients are honored at the 2023 Iowa Character Awards dinner, with a one-hour Iowa Character Awards prime-time special, and at a special hometown event organized by The Ray Center. Nominations are accepted until May 2, 2023. Submit nominations now at IowaCharacterAwards.org.
All Drake cardholders have an option to load Bulldog Bucks onto their campus ID cards to spend either on or off campus. We are excited to have a new addition to our off campus program, and encourage you to visit Rico’s as they join the program this week!
Bulldog Bucks can currently be used at Rico’s, Gursha, Dough Co, and at any restaurant participating on the GrubHub app. Fernando’s, Hummus, and Krispy Krunchy Chicken will also be rejoining the program this summer once they receive new register hardware.
You can also use Bulldog Bucks on campus at any Drake Dining location, at the bookstore, and at campus printers.
(Just a reminder that Bulldog Bucks are different than Dining Dollars. Dining Dollars are just for on campus food, since they are a part of the campus meal plan. Bulldog Bucks can be spent on or off campus).
We welcome Rico’s to our off campus program, and hope you can stop in to check out their menu.
We’re celebrating the Drake Relays with a giveaway. GrubHub has provided a pair of Apple AirPods and two GrubHub gift cards for interacting with our Bulldog Bucks program this week (thanks GrubHub!).
Enter to win with one or more of the following methods, each will result in an entry to win. Three winners will be selected and contacted by Drake email on May 1.
Use your Bulldog Bucks at an off campus location this week (Rico’s, Gursha, or Dough Co.)
Place a GrubHub order (make sure your campus card is affiliated on the app, regardless of the payment method you use, so we can see your transaction!)
Enter the Drake Relays giveaway in the GrubHub app (no charge, just an entry)
Wanda E. Woods Everage, LA’72 is a Drake legend who was with the university for over 23 years and served as the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Academic Excellence upon her retirement in 2012. For Relays Week 2023, Wanda will return for the Black Alumni Reunion and will host two events on Friday, April 28, 2023 for the Drake community.
Goodbye to Morehouse Hall: Join Dr. Wanda Everage for an interactive Q&A Session about her time spent in Morehouse Hall as an undergraduate student and celebrate the change of Morehouse Hall into the Sammons Intercultural Center.
When: Friday, April 28, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: Lobby of Morehouse Hall
Back to Class with Dr. Wanda E. Woods Everage,LA’72: Come be inspired by Dr. Everage with a throwback session that is influenced by the Orientation sessions that she used to lead. Wanda will ask us to reflect on our Drake experience, the lessons we have learned (good and bad), and how our present and future reflect on what we learned. This session is a part of our 2023 Black Alumni Reunion and will be attended by many of our esteemed alumni.
This week for Drake Relays, Alumni Relations will host two opportunities for our LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities and their allies on campus. These celebrations serve to create community among diverse students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as all people who consider themselves allies. For all members of the Drake community, this is an opportunity to meet individuals like you who have been where you are.
Black Alumni Reunion Block Party – We are hosting the 2023 Black Alumni Reunion during Drake Relays. Come show all of our alumni how Drake celebrates! All our welcome. There will be food trucks, beer trucks, yard games, and a DJ.
When: Saturday, April 29, 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: 28th & University (outside Multicultural Houses)
LGBTQ+ Alumni Mixer – In between all of the festivities, come and relax at our casual LGBTQ+ Alumni Mixer hosted by the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. Yes, there will be refreshments and games! We welcome all members of the Drake community, from students to faculty/staff, including allies to the LGBTQ+ community!
What: The Grand Blue Mile is the Midwest’s premier community street run for all ages and abilities. Held annually since 2010, the Grand Blue Mile has hosted more than 35,000 participants from 36 states, six countries, and four continents.
When: Tuesday, April 25, 6 p.m.
Where: Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa
NEW! Shot Put Community Event
What: Shot put Olympians and world record holders will compete at the Drake Fieldhouse in this event that is free and open to the public. Ryan Crouser is ready to set a new indoor world record at this event. A live DJ will keep the energy up between throws and various food and beverage options will be available.
When: Wednesday, April 26, 5:30–8 p.m.
Where: Drake Fieldhouse, 2701 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
NEW! Saturday Relays Live
What: The Drake Relays has partnered with 80/35 music festival and the Des Moines Music Coalition to provide a memorable live concert experience with three local musical acts. Food vendors will be lined up along Forest Avenue during the event.
All rec facilities will be closed Thursday, April 20, from 5–10 p.m. Regular hours will resume Friday, April 21.
Bell Center squat racks will be closed Wednesday, April 19, through Sunday, April 23. Faculty and staff may use the Underground Fitness during this time.
The future is in our hands, so get engaged with the environment this Earth Week! Join us each day this week for an event, including a movie at Sussman Theater today (April 18), and don’t miss Earth Jam, live music in the Olmsted Pit, on Friday, April 21.
Check out the photo below for a list of challenges.
Tuesday, April 18: Movie nightfrom 6 to 8 p.m. at Sussman Theater.Join us for The Lorax and snacks.
Wednesday, April 19: Zoo!Learn about zoo conservation and meet animals from the Blank Park Zoo on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Science Connector Building, Room 201.
Thursday, April 20: Hear climate activist Jeff Biggers speak about climate change and environmental issues on Drake’s campus from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pom Stage. Snacks included.
Friday, April 21: Help plant limber pine trees with Drake Grounds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the GK Courtyard and get an exclusive sticker.
Friday, April 21: Earth Jam! Enjoy live music from Andre Davis, Charlotte Blu, and Annalibera plus crafts, plants, snacks, Veggie Thumper, prizes, and more from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Olmsted Pit.
“Founder of the Climate Narrative Project, an arts and advocacy project, Biggers has given lectures, readings and performances at over 100 universities and schools across the country, from the University of California in Berkeley, the University of Mississippi, Yale University to the University of Rome (La Sapienza). Biggers has served as the Climate Narrative Playwright-in-Residence at Indiana University Northwest, the Sustainability Writer-in-Residence at the University of Iowa, the Campbell-Stripling Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at Wesleyan College in Georgia, and delivered the keynote address at numerous literary, urban planning and environmental conferences.”
The DrakeRelays brings thousands of athletes, alumni, and guests to campus. As a reminder, parking and travel on and around campus will be impacted Saturday, April 22, through Saturday, April 29.
It is highly recommended that if you are coming to campus from off grounds, that you use public transportation, if possible. If you do plan on driving, give yourself plenty of time to find parking. Please remember that cars that are parked on the grass, illegally in handicap spaces, or blocking operations will be towed without notice.
All valid residential and commuter permits will be honored on Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday. Only residential permits are valid in residential lots and commuter permits in commuter lots, unless posted otherwise. Please note that the Olmsted and Ray Promenade lot still require the correct permit color to park in those lots before 4:30 pm.
Saturday, April 22– Sunday, April 30 – Lot 17 (Facilities Lot) will be closed/no parking allowed
Wednesday, April 26 at 12 p.m. – Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m. – Forest Avenue will be fully closed from 27th Street to 29th Street and will allow for only limited access from 24th to 27th Streets and from 29th to 31st Streets. No street parking is allowed along Forest Avenue.
Wednesday, April 26 – Saturday, April 29 – 27th Street will be intermittently closed between Forest Avenue and Clarke Street.
Wednesday, April 26 – Saturday, April 29 – Lot 18 S (Studio Arts) will be closed/no parking allowed
Wednesday, April 26 – Monday, May 1 – Half of Lot 13 (Ray Promenade Lot) will be closed
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to a presentation titled Healthcare Profession Education in Malaysia Compared to the United States. The presentation will take place on Monday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m. in Cline Hall, Room 206.
For nine years, Dr. PT Thomas, Ph.D., has served as professor and executive dean at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Taylor’s University in Kuala Lumpur ,Malaysia. Dr. Thomas received his pharmacy degree in India and Masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas, Austin. He has a long career of service to the pharmacy profession, academia, and nongovernmental organizations. He has served on several Malaysian professional boards and governmental positions. Prior to joining Taylor’s University, he held a faculty position at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and was a visiting scholar at Mahidol University in Thailand. Dr. Thomas is on the board of World Vision Malaysia. He is active in international initiatives, serving on several regional and international boards, including in the United States. Dr. Thomas brings a wealth of perspective and experience to a discussion of healthcare education globally.
