Global Engagement and Community Engaged Learning are partnering with Iowa Sister States to support Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts through a supply drive.

The State of Iowa and Iowa Sister States have been working diligently to provide support to Ukraine, in particular working with partners in Iowa’s Ukrainian sister state located just south of the capital Kyiv. Iowa has a 26-year sister state relationship with Cherkasy Oblast that has been sustained through various people-to-people exchanges. Iowa Sister States has been coordinating directly with the regional government of Cherkasy Oblast to procure a list of supplies needed to support their citizens during this crisis.

We are calling on the Drake community to contribute to this humanitarian relief effort by collecting and donating supplies from the following list now through April 15. Supplies will be shipped in batches by Iowa Sister States directly to their partners in Ukraine.

Supplies needed:

• Sleeping mats
• Sleeping bags
• First aid kits
• Individual wound dressing wraps
• Individual medical packs
• Thermal underwear
• Socks
• Gloves (for warmth, not medical purposes)

How to contribute:
Supplies will be collected through April 15 at two locations in Cowles Library:

• Global Engagement, located just inside the South/University Ave entrance across from Midnight Hall.
• Community Engaged Learning is located on the ground floor, east side. From the north/main entrance, go down the stairs and through the doors on your left.

Monetary donations are also being accepted and will be used expressly for the purpose of purchasing and shipping the requested items. Individuals and groups can make monetary donations online at www.iowasisterstates.org. Click the blue “Donate” button at the top of the page and select “Cherkasy, Ukraine Fundraiser” from the campaign drop-down menu.

Contact Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator, with any questions.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

The Drake Constitutional Law Center will host the 2022 Constitutional Law Symposium on Saturday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. The program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. The speakers will examine the role the Constitution may play in stemming or facilitating democratic erosion.

The symposium will feature a slate of nationally renowned scholars discussing these important topics:

Reflections on Congressional Abdication
Jeffrey K. Tulis, Professor of Government and Professor of Law, University of Texas at Austin

The Constitution and Condorcet: Democracy Protection through Electoral Reform
Edward B. Foley, Charles W. Ebersold and Florence Whitcomb Ebersold Chair in Constitutional Law; Director, Election Law, The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law

Was the Constitution Meant to be Democratic
James R. Stoner Jr., Hermann Moyse, Jr. Professor of Political Science; Director, Eric Vogelin Institute, Louisiana State University

Two Models for Protecting Democracy
David Landau, Mason Ladd Professor; Associate Dean for International Programs, Florida State University School of Law

Revisiting America’s Guardrails
Andrea Katz, Associate Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law

The program will be moderated by Miguel Schor, Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Drake University.

The symposium is approved for 2.5 hours of Iowa Continuing Legal Education credit.

Registration is free and open to the public. Register online. Registrants may pre-order a copy of the Drake Law Review Symposium issue for $12.

Contact Sara Hughes, 515-271-3985, sara.hughes@drake.edu, for more information.

The Constitutional Law Symposium is dedicated to the memory of Congressman Neal Smith, LW’50, who passed away last fall at the age of 101. Congressman Smith’s efforts provided foundational support for the Center and he continued to be a loyal supporter his entire life.

The Constitutional Law Center gratefully acknowledges key support for this symposium from the Nathan S. McCay (LW ’80) Endowment and the Drake Constitutional Law Fund.

— Terri Howard, Law School

Hear from Blake Boldon about the history of Drake Relays, highlights of previous years, and what to look forward to this year during our Back to Class session on Wednesday, March 30, at 6:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their affiliation to Drake. Register.

Blake Boldon serves as the Franklin P. Johnson Director of Drake Relays, as well as senior associate athletics director and director of cross country and track & field at Drake University. As an Iowan and competitive athlete, Blake Boldon is extremely familiar with Drake Stadium and the iconic Blue Oval. Learn more about Blake Boldon.

— Courtney Conrad, Alumni Relations

The Drake Relays Habitat for Humanity Panel Build is Saturday, April 23, and open to the entire Drake Community. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community and learn new skills. A panel build is when volunteers come together to construct the interior and exterior wall panels of a Habitat home in a seven-hour period! The build will be on Drake’s campus, in Lot A (pink, square lot in map below), and volunteer parking will be in Lot 1 (orange lot). Restroom access will be in the Fine Arts Center. Sign-up and share with your friends! Note: Avoid signing up in rows that say “HYP.” For questions, contact megan.hartle@drake.edu.

— Megan Hartle, P4