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

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Betty Gause, beloved alumna and former Drake staff member of 13 years. Betty began her career at Drake in 1986 as Cashier and Students Accounts Manager. In 1991, she assumed the role of Director of Student Organizations and Programming, and later became the Director of Student Activities, a position she held until she left Drake in 1999.

It’s hard to put into words how much Betty meant to the students, colleagues, and the entire Drake community. She served as a mentor and advisor to students and staff, and was a long-time champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus. She recognized the need for more Black representation in student government and worked as an adviser to increase diverse voices on the Student Activities Board (SAB) and in Greek life. She later helped head the Coalition of Black Students. She also served as a long-time adviser for the Drake and Des Moines chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

While Betty will be deeply missed by the many students and colleagues who had the privilege of calling her a friend, her legacy and commitment to diversify student programming and leadership at the University will live on and only continue to grow.

Betty’s full obituary can be read here.

Do you have food allergies or a particular dietary need? Our Drake Dining Services team will work to accommodate your special dietary requirements.  

Hubbell offers numerous options for those with dietary restrictions including Sprouts (vegan and vegetarian), Simple Servings (top 8 allergen-free), and Simple Zone (gluten-free pantry). Hubbell can also accommodate additional dietary restrictions such as halal or low carb upon request. If you have a particular dietary need, please reach out to Drake Dietitian Samantha Matt, MS, RDN, LDN, to discuss how Hubbell can accommodate you. Samantha is available for Hubbell tours and free consultations to help manage dietary restrictions and navigate Hubbell. Free nutrition counseling is available to all students on topics such as health and wellness, sports nutrition, and disease management. Samantha is available for virtual or in-person meetings year-round. 

 You can schedule an appointment directly by clicking here. Or, contact Samantha at one of the following emails: samantha.matt@drake.edu or samantha.matt@sodexo.com.

— Shaelyn Hankins, Drake Dining

Drake Theatre seeks new plays written by playwrights from the Des Moines Metropolitan area.  Plays will be read and evaluated by Drake Theatre students and faculty.  The writer of the winning entry selected will receive a prize of $500 and have their play performed as a staged reading for two performances next fall on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16, 2023, as part of Drake Theatre’s Main Stage Season.  Rules for entry are as follows:

• Full length plays only – one hour or more reading/performance time
• Playwrights must reside within 40 miles of downtown Des Moines
• Eligibility extends to Drake students, staff, and alumni as well as any member of the Des Moines community. Drake faculty are ineligible to compete.
• Plays may be of any style or genre. No musicals, please.
• Plays must be wholly original work. No translations or adaptations of existing plays.
• There are no restrictions in regards to characters with the understanding that the winning play will be performed as a staged reading by Drake Theatre students. All attempts will be made in casting to preserve the integrity and representation of characters, but compromises may be necessary.
• Submissions must be made electronically. Print copies will not be accepted.
• Submissions are limited to one play per playwright
• Submissions must be formatted as either a separate .docx file or a .pdf attached to an e-mail. The body of that email must include the following:
  • relevant contact information (name, address, phone number, email address) for the playwright
  • the title of the play
  • a brief (one paragraph) synopsis of the plot
  • a dramatis personae listing the characters.
• The attached copy of the play itself must have all references to the playwright (name, contact info, etc.) removed so that plays can be judged anonymously. Only the title of the play itself should be visible.
• If your play is chosen as the winning entry, know that you are granting Drake University Theatre permission to perform two staged readings of that work with no royalty or copyright restrictions attached. Those readings will be open to the general public and advertised as part of our Main Stage Season.
• Following each performance, the winning author is invited to participate in a talkback session with the cast, crew, director and audience to discuss the play and receive feedback.
• All submissions must be emailed to Michael Rothmayer at rothmayer@drake.edu

Failure to follow these rules may result in disqualification of your entry.  Submissions are due on or before by 5 p.m. CST, March 10, 2023.  The winning entry and playwright will be announced on or before June 1, 2023.  For questions or additional information, please contact the Drake University Department of Theatre Arts (515) 271-2018.

— Michael Rothmayer, Theatre Arts

On Thursday, Dec. 15, The Varsity Cinema will reopen and the big screen will light up with a mix of new and classic films, including Singin’ in the Rain, Decision to Leave, White Noise, Elf, and Lost Cinemas of Des Moines. Tickets for reopening weekend are on sale now.

After the theater closed its doors Dec. 31, 2018, Des Moines Film purchased the building—the last remaining historic theater in Des Moines—and began a massive renovation to bring back the movies and preserve the designated local landmark. The refurbished space includes a second auditorium, expanded lobby, upgraded concessions with a full bar, and a fully accessible building.

Visit the Varsity Cinema’s website for more information and a listing of upcoming shows.