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.

When: Friday, April 28, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Where: Sussman Theater

— Greg Lin, Alumni Relations

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!

When: Saturday, April 29, 3 pm to 5 pm

Where: Alumni House (2700 University)

— Greg Lin, Alumni Relations

See a list of new and notable Relays events happening this week. For a complete list of events, visit the University calendar. Other ways to find information, include: Alumni events: alumni.drake.edu; Athletic events: godrakebulldogs.com, and Student Activities Board (SAB) Instagram or Facebook page.

Grand Blue Mile

• 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.
• When: Saturday, April 29, 10:45 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Where: Forest Avenue adjacent to Drake Stadium

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.

— Lisa Murphy, Recreational Services

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 night from 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.

Learn here about our speaker, Jeff Biggers:

“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.”

— Andrew Kennard, JO, AS

The Drake Relays 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 27^th Street to 29^th Street and will allow for only limited access from 24^th to 27^th Streets and from 29^th to 31^st Streets. No street parking is allowed along Forest Avenue.

Wednesday, April 26 – Saturday, April 29 – 27^th 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

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the 44th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest®, Presented by Ramsey Subaru. The contest will take place Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. Doors will open to fans at 5 p.m. to enjoy the Rescue Dog Festival and Kids Zone before the pageant begins. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a giveaway for the first 50 students to show up with their Drake ID.

The Beautiful Bulldog Contest® at Drake University is a unique trademarked event with an over 40-year history. The event kicks off a week-long Drake Relays celebration. Thirty English Bulldogs walk the pup-way to impress judges in hopes of being crowned the Most Beautiful Bulldog. The winner of the contest will reign as the Most Beautiful Bulldog for the 2023 week-long Drake Relays. 

During the contest, each contestant will walk the pageant runway. This is prime time for the pups to show off their stuff or do tricks for our judges. This year’s judges include:

• WHO 13 Newscaster Jannay Towne 
• Paws & Pints founder and owner Megan Casey, BN’10
• Founding member and managing director of Pyramid Theatre Company, Alexis Davis, JO’13, GR’17

Questions? Please email beautifulbulldog@drake.edu. 

Select clothing and gifts are 50% off in-store and online at The Bulldog Shop. The sale is going on now through April 30 and excludes Drake Relays merchandise.

The 2023 Harkin on Wellness (HOW) Symposium will take place on Thursday, April 13, at the Olmsted Center.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems were overrun with patients and supply chain issues disrupted our access to healthy foods. Community leaders and organizations responded by creating new approaches to address the relationship between food and health. These new approaches include the growth of food systems coalitions and councils working to shape, advise, and implement food policy. These groups also worked to increase opportunities and reduce barriers to healthy outcomes at the regional level.

This year’s Symposium will showcase the work being done at state and local levels to improve people’s lives by reimagining the food system from farm to table and everywhere in between.

We are pleased to welcome Deputy Under Secretary for the USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean and Dr. Walter Willett, M.D., Dr. P.H., Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-chair of the EAT-Lancet Commission as the keynote speakers for HOW 2023. Additional speakers will include experts on the environmental impacts of food production and on local approaches to improving health and wellness.

American Sign Language (ASL) and live captions in English will be available for all general session content for all attendees. ASL are available for breakout sessions upon request. (To request accommodations or ask accommodation questions email harkininstitute@drake.edu.)

Date: Thursday, April 13, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
In Person Location: Olmsted Center at Drake University (2875 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311)
Virtual Location: Livestream (access details and link will be sent to registered virtual attendees closer to the date of the event)
Registration: This event is free but registration is required.

More information: harkininstitute.drake.edu/2023/02/23/how-2023/

— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute