Professor Sally Frank was honored by Princeton University with a café named after her, recognizing her perseverance and excellence. As a student in 1979, she challenged the exclusion of women from three all-male eating clubs. After a prolonged legal battle, the clubs began admitting women by 1991, and she officially won her lawsuit in 1992. Congratulations, Professor Frank – we’re proud of your impactful work!
Category Archives: Archive
You’re Invited: Drake and Ray Center to Celebrate Donations, Expanded Character Counts! Resources for Polk County Early Childhood Education Classrooms
Drake and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center will host an event to celebrate the expansion of no-cost Character Counts! early childhood resources to nearly 1,700 classrooms in Polk County.
WHO: Students, Faculty, and Staff
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: The Gregory & Suzie Burt Boys & Girls Club.
The initiative is made possible by generous grant funding from four major community partners: the Lauridsen Family Foundation, Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant Program, Polk County Community Development and Community Betterment program, and the Gartner Family Foundation.
The campus community is invited to attend the event and hear from Walter Lauridsen who will speak on behalf of the four organizations responsible for the grants and from Cassidy LeCroy, director of The Bob & Billie Ray Child Development Center. Scott Raecker, executive director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, and Marty Martin, Drake University president, will also deliver remarks.
— Amy Smit, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center
Drake.edu Website Redesign Update
Thank you to all who have given time and input on the Drake.edu redesign project. We are excited to offer our future prospective students and families a website that helps them find the information they’re searching for quickly, and one that strongly positions our brand with compelling imagery and content.
Over the summer months, external partner Carnegie will be working on front-end development, while internally, we’ll be focused on content updates and creation. The content audit is nearing completion, thanks to the help of many. As was noted in the last update, the evolution of internal sites and Teams has provided a more intuitive home for external-facing content that is better suited for our internal audience. With that in mind, our project team will be reaching out to those campus partners who have been involved in the audit process to talk through the next phase of the work. This phase will involve talking through the best options available for that content in the future, as well as the training necessary to move the content into the selected destination.
Our website receives more traffic than any physical space, so we are incredibly grateful to all who are helping ensure it serves us strongly as a warm and helpful welcome to the transformative Drake experience that lies beyond its “doors.”
— Leslie Maynes, executive director, University Communications and Marketing; and Keren Fiorenza, deputy CITO & chief information security officer
Fall Tuition Deadline Change
Students: Before you begin your summer break, I want to inform you of a change to the University’s billing schedule. Tuition and fees for the Fall 2025 semester will be due by August 11, instead of the first day of classes on August 25. By moving the due date up two weeks, we can provide earlier outreach and even greater support in your tuition planning and financial aid needs before the semester begins.
Here’s what you need to know
- You will receive your tuition and fees bills two weeks earlier to assist you with more effective budgeting strategies and planning. Bills will be accessible in your student account starting July 18.
- Fall tuition and fees are due August 11, instead of the first day of classes.
- You must have your bill paid or a payment plan set up by August 11.
- There is no change in how you access or pay your bill. Visit the Student Account and Financial Aid section on the student page in myDrake and select Make a Payment.
- Within the portal, you can also set up a payment plan.
We recognize that paying for college is a major investment, but one that will propel and serve you for the rest of your life. Drake has resources and dedicated staff ready to help with all your financial questions. Students can connect with our Financial Aid Office to learn more about the various scholarships, grants, loans, and need-based employment programs that Drake offers. For payment plan or billing questions, please contact the Student Accounts Office.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Drake. Enjoy your summer and we look forward to seeing you back on campus next fall!
— Julia Gwebu, Director of Student Account Services
Long-Term Care Policy Options Webinar
The cost of long-term care has nearly doubled from the early 2000s to 2024, both for at home care and nursing home care. These costs are out of reach for everyone except the wealthiest households. Long-term care costs are internalized by caregiver families in some combination of the following: diminished or lost earned income, early retirement, direct caregiving expenditures, and mental and physical health issues. There are a variety of policy options to address this economic burden on families across the income distribution. Join us for a free webinar featuring a panel of leading experts on LTC policies to learn more about current state, national, and international policies addressing long-term care needs.
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT
Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event)
Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees. American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.
— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
Join Drake’s Team for the Des Moines Corporate Games
Join Drake’s Corporate Games team! This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 18 through July 31. With over two dozen events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.
Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball, ping pong and golf, to a fitness walk and 5K run. You may participate in as many events as you want.
All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.
To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Congratulations to the 2025 Drake Student Leadership Award Winners
The 2025 Adams Leadership Awards Ceremony, held on May 3, recognized exceptional student leadership, service, and engagement across the Drake University campus. Please join us in celebrating the following students, staff, and organizations for their remarkable impact on our community:
- Outstanding First-Year Students: Allie Koenigsfeld & Sean Groh
- Outstanding Sophomore Students: Emerson Whittemore & Audrey Martin
- Outstanding Junior/P1 Students: Eli Benson & Olivia (Liv) Swaney
- Outstanding Senior/P2 Students: Josie Hildreth & Skylar Lathrop
- Oreon E. Scott Legacy Award: Ashley Dyson
- Outstanding Bright College Student: Princess Winters
- Outstanding Transfer Student: Brooklynn Grooms
- David Maxwell Outstanding Student Organization President: Eli Benson
- Outstanding Student Organization Officer: Chloe Isbell
- Outstanding Residence Hall Leaders: Valerie Vera & Sean Groh
- Wanda E. Everage Outstanding Peer Mentor Award: Elliot Nelson & Mia Stefani
- Drake Outstanding Individual Service Award: Beth Posey
- Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Mary Edrington
- Outstanding Student Organization: NAMI on Campus
- Outstanding Group Service Award: American Pharmacist Association (APhA)
- Outstanding Educational Program: AOE Club: Alpha Phi
- Outstanding Social Program: Ramen Noodle Night at Herriott Hall
- Outstanding Equity & Inclusion Program: Alpha Phi’s DEI Committee
- Outstanding Alcohol Alternative Program: Dogtown After Hours
- Outstanding Collaboration Award: SAA’s 2024 Halloween Hoops
We are proud to recognize these students and organizations for their dedication to leadership, service, inclusion, and community-building. Their contributions continue to shape a stronger and more connected Drake University.
—Kristin Economos, Senior Director, Adams Leadership Institute
Cowles Library May Featured Collections
Stop by Cowles Library to explore our featured collections. Find something new, engage with fresh perspectives, and discover resources that support you through the end of term.
As the end of the term approaches, take a moment for yourself with our Mental Health Awareness Month collection. Whether you’re seeking a good book to unwind, tools for focus, or ways to relax, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Sensory Collection for sensory regulation resources, grab a self-measure blood pressure device to keep track of your heart health, or take a moment to relax with our community puzzle or records at the record player station. Stop by, take a break, and discover something new to recharge at Cowles Library.
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with books that spotlight the rich diversity, culture, and history of AAPI communities. From memoirs and fiction to stories of activism and resilience, these works give voice to a wide array of experiences. Learn about the trailblazers and everyday heroes who’ve shaped the AAPI community and explore fresh perspectives that continue to influence our world today.
— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library
Drake University Social Science Journal
The 2025 edition of the Drake University Social Science Journal is now available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/currentedition/.
The Journal publishes exceptional social science research conducted by Drake University students. Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology).The first edition of the Journal appeared in 1999 (back editions are available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/).
The 2025 edition features articles by Lauren Buchanan, Stell Depuydt, Mitchell P. Davis, Catalina Samaniego, and Chloe Q. Slater.
The Journal’s student editorial board consisted of Berkeley Coyne, Anna Knueve, Lizzy O’Neel, Carson Smith, Reid Stevens, and Madison Tarr.
Congratulations to the above students for their hard work and dedication to high-quality social science research.
— David Skidmore, Professor of Political Science/Global Citizenship Director
Adventureland Park Discount Tickets
Opening Day for Adventureland Park is Saturday, May 17. Drake employees may purchase discounted tickets by going to AdventurelandResort.com/PromoCode. Select how many tickets you want to purchase, enter the promotional code DRAKE (must be all CAPS and no spaces) and click REDEEM. You will be routed to their online discount ticket website to complete your purchase. Discounted tickets are $37.99 + tax. This price does not include parking.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources