Drake Art and Design alum Nikki Renee Anderson will be returning to Drake’s campus to open a solo exhibition in the Anderson Gallery this fall. Since graduating, Anderson has been successful as an artist, exhibiting extensively both nationally and internationally. She teaches full time at Harper College where she runs the Ceramics program. Anderson creates sculptures and installations that use her personal history to explore the feminine and the different roles of the self. Her exhibition Unfurling Garden will be on display in the Anderson Gallery, located in the Harmon Fine Arts building, from Sept. 4 to Oct 17. Anderson will return to campus to install her show and give an artist talk on Sept 4 from 4:30–5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center, Room 204, followed by an opening reception for her exhibition from 5–7 p.m. in the Anderson Gallery.

—Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery

As the academic year begins, we encourage you to review the University Policy Library for a variety of policy topics. An important part of the policy approval process is a 15-day comment period for new policies. A new recording policy is now open for comment on the Policy Development webpage. The policy discusses when recordings are allowed on campus and in academic programming, the permissions needed to record, and limits on distribution of approved recordings. The purpose of the policy is to protect privacy, promote trust, uphold academic integrity, support accessibility, and ensure legal compliance. Comments may be submitted to dupolicies@drake.edu.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Intramurals

Registration deadlines for tennis (singles), NFL Pick ‘Em, 6 v. 6 outdoor soccer, 6 v. 6 indoor volleyball, and 2 v. 2 sand volleyball are quickly approaching. Find more information about the leagues and sign up on the Drake Rec app of IMLeagues.

The 2 v. 2 sand volleyball tournament will take place Sept. 1 on Labor Day outside Goodwin-Kirk Hall. Register by 10 a.m. the day of the tournament.

For a complete list of intramural events and to sign up, visit: www.Imleagues.com/Drake.

How to Sign Up on Imleagues

How to Create or Join a Team

Facility hours for Aug. 25–Sept. 1:

Bell Center
Monday–Thursday: 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m.–4. P.m.

Roger Knapp Tennis Center: Closed
Underground Fitness: Closed
Bell Center Pool: Reservations required on rec.drake.edu.

All facilities will be closed Monday, Sept. 1. Semester hours will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2.

The Drake Student Counseling Center in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will host its fourth annual Suicide Awareness Walk on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Drake Stadium. Participants are encouraged to sign up in groups or as individuals with the opportunity to receive free goodie bags, T-shirts, and food/drink. We hope to see you there!

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director, Drake Student Counseling

Please join the Broadlawns Drake Student Counseling Center in Johansen Student Center, Room 101 (lounge), on the first two Tuesdays and Thursdays of the school year from 1:30–3 p.m. Come learn about the mental health resources available to students and get connected to our counseling team.

Dates: August 26, August 28, September 2, and September 4
Time: 1:30–3 p.m.
Location: Johansen Student Center, Room 101 (lounge)

Each year, Drake Law holds an event in honor of Constitution Day. This year’s event will feature Nicholas Stephanopoulos, Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law, Harvard Law School.

Stephanopoulos is a nationally recognized expert in election law, constitutional law, and democratic theory. His scholarship has appeared in leading law reviews and major media outlets.

The lecture will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, from 3–4 p.m. in Cartwright Hall, James A. Albert Classroom (213).

Find more information and register for the event.

— Dawn Brown, Office of the Dean, Drake Law School

Drake University Law School will host the Honorable Holly Thomas, U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, for a special fireside chat on Sept. 8. The event is free and open to the public.

Judge Thomas brings a breadth of substantive experience to the bench, with a distinguished career that has focused on some of the nation’s most important constitutional rights and legal protections. Her work has advanced issues including the right to vote, the right to marry, equal employment, housing and educational opportunities, protections for pregnant people, and advocacy on behalf of service members.

The program will feature a conversational Q&A format, moderated by Drake Law professor and director of the Constitutional Law Center, Mark Kende, and Drake Law Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr.

Event detail include:

• When: 12:30 p.m. – Grab-and-go pizza provided; 12:40 p.m. – Program begins.
• Where: James A. Albert Classroom, Cartwright Hall, Drake University Law School.
• Registration: Free and open to the public, registration required.
• Note: This is an in-person event only; no live-stream or recording will be available.

“We are thrilled to welcome Judge Holly Thomas to Drake Law School for a Fireside Chat with Professor Kende and me,” said Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr. “Her remarkable career reflects a deep commitment to service and justice, offering inspiration to our students, faculty, and community.”

Click here for more information and to register for the event.

— Taylor Johnson, Drake Law

The campus community is invited to tune in for a special Everclass session on Aug. 19 at 12 p.m. via Zoom. The session will feature two Bulldogs who are taking their talents to the world stage. Reed Fischer, a 2017 Drake grad and elite marathoner, is headed to Tokyo as part of Team USA after clocking a 2:10:14 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Joining him will be Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, who will serve as Men’s Head Manager for Team USA. The two previously teamed up at international events, and now they will reunite at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Hear their stories, insights, and what it means to represent both Team USA and Drake University on a global level.

Register to attend: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/QC-EBDv_SbW9QKTIuFT15A#/registration.

Everclass is a series of virtual discussions designed to inspire Drake alumni and friends to dive into topics that will fuel curiosity, creativity, connection or career potential. All classes feature a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, or a Q&A style with a moderator. See a list of upcoming sessions.

— Andy Verlengia, Director of Alumni Relations

Take a look at our Group Fitness class lineup.

We have three new student instructors bringing fun and challenging classes to the mix.  We still have our ever-popular Cycle and Strength and a few yoga classes throughout the week.  Meditation Mondays is new and will travel around campus, so keep an eye on our social media and webpage for updates.

Download the Drake Rec App for information and to sign up!

— Gail Witte, Rec Services