The Divine Nine Project, located east of Painted Street, will begin on Aug. 4. The work includes adding concrete foundations, granite benches, and stainless steel elements near the Paint It Black circle, situated between Meredith Hall, Jewett Hall, Cowles Library, and the Johansen Student Center. During construction, there will be some short-term sidewalk closures and directional signage in the area.
— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects, Facilities Planning & Management
With The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave and Bold having come to a successful close in October 2024 securing more than $265 million in gift commitments, the University maintained the campaign website for eight months before archiving it and taking it offline. This means any materials, including email signatures, containing links to the site are no longer active. However, you can still find campaign results and video content for each of the campaign priorities on Drake’s newsroom.
Update your email signature
If your email signature still includes The Ones logo at the bottom, please follow these steps to updated it:
Recycle campaign materials
We are no longer using our campaign brochures (AKA case statements). Please find a time to recycle any unused materials.
— Pam Pepper, University Advancement
Join The Harkin Institute and Polk County for the first official presentation of findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Resource Assessment (CISWRA) report—a groundbreaking scientific study that provides the most comprehensive analysis of water quality in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers to date.
This historic event will feature a distinguished panel of scientists who were directly involved in creating this landmark 227-page assessment, offering attendees unprecedented access to the researchers behind this critical work. It will provide an opportunity for residents of Polk County to get the information firsthand and to share their reactions.
For more information about the CISWRA report, click here.
WHAT: Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report
WHEN: Monday, August 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311)
RSVP: Sign up to attend via Eventbrite
— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute
Join The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement and the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University for a webinar on using disability statistics in your work using DisabilityStatistics.org. DisabilityStatistics.org provides data from the U.S. Census Bureau, but instead of republishing huge tables of raw data, the site provides maps, charts, and focused tables. This hands-on webinar will use everyday examples to show you how you can take advantage of this tool in your work.
WHAT: Digging Into Disability Data: Making DisabilityStatistics.org Work For You Webinar
WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 12 p.m. CT
WHERE: Zoom
RSVP: Register via Eventbrite
— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute
Join us in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and our recently awarded “Gold” certification. Earlier this year, the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center became only the second building in the United States to achieve the Gold Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, The Harkin Institute will host an unveiling ceremony for the certification plaque that will hang in our atrium. The ceremony will be followed by a panel discussion that will cover the benefits of universal design and how to implement accessibility features in your work place. Light refreshments will be provided.
Before the unveiling, guests will have a chance to check out the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center for themselves! The building will be open for self-guided tours starting at noon. The Harkin Institute staff will be on hand for any questions you have throughout the tour.
American Sign Language and live-captioning (CART) in English will be provided for all attendees during the unveiling ceremony and panel discussion. ASL interpreters will also be on hand from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. for those who need interpretation during the open house portion of the event.
WHAT: Gold Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Celebration and Panel Discussion
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Open house and self-guided tours: 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Unveiling ceremony: 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Panel discussion: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310)
RSVP: Please RSVP via Eventbrite if you plan to attend the unveiling ceremony and panel discussion
— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
In accordance with Iowa state law, Drake University allows students to request immunization exemptions under certain circumstances, including medical or religious grounds, though these requests are subject to review and approval by University health officials. The exemption process requires students to complete and submit the appropriate documentation—such as signed statements or medical forms—to ensure compliance with public health standards. For full details, guidelines, and required forms associated with the immunization exemption policy, see Drake’s official policy page and Health Center resources: Communication Regarding Immunization Exemptions and Health Policies and Forms.
— Jerry Parker, Vice President & Dean of Students
ITS staff are happy to share that the updated SPSS license for 2025 is now available. To request the download and license to update your software, submit a Software Request ticket through the ITS service portal. ITS staff will respond with the license code and assist you in updating your software.
If you have any additional questions, contact us by submitting a ticket though the ITS service portal at service.drake.edu/its, visiting us in lower level Carnegie Hall, or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001.
— Greg Christie, ITS
Griff II will be celebrating his 7th birthday at the NEW Black Cat location in Valley Junction (134 5th Street, West Des Moines) from 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. All are welcome—please join us! There will be a special birthday-themed ice cream flavor in honor of the occasion, and, instead of gifts, we invite you to bring donations (non-perishable food and personal hygiene items) for the Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood. There is no better way for Griff to celebrate his special day than to help the community in his honor. We’ll see you there!
— Erin Bell, University Communications and Marketing
In July, the University will be working with the building contractor on warranty repairs for the heating and cooling systems. To complete this work, the cooling systems of one floor must be taken offline, one at a time, for a one week duration. The sequence of repairs will be as follows:
1st Floor : July 7 thru July 11
2nd Floor : July 14 thru July 18
Ground Floor : July 21 – July 25
3rd Floor : July 28 – August 1
While repairs are being made on one floor, the cooling system will remain operational on the other three floors. Students and staff will have the options to: work remotely, remain in their uncooled (warm) office and meeting spaces while contractors occupy the space and work is being conducted on the respective floor, or temporarily office in one of the many JSC conference rooms or open areas throughout the building.
— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects – Project Administrator
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help welcome our newest students on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as part of the Move-In Crew.
This is your chance to bring the energy, ease the stress, and create a warm first impression for first-years and their families as they settle into campus life.
Here’s how you can help:
Let’s give our new students the warmest welcome yet!
— Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students
