Category Archives: Campus Announcements

Drake Law School to Host Constitutional Law Symposium on Executive Power

Drake University Law School will host its annual Constitutional Law Symposium April 11, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the James Albert Classroom, Cartwright Hall. Details and registration at drake.edu/conlaw/events.

This year’s symposium, “The Roberts Court, Executive Power, and the American Experiment in Self-Government,” brings together four notable scholars and legal experts to discuss the unitary executive theory, separation of powers, and what developments in executive power might portend for the American experiment in self-government. Proceedings will be published in the Drake Law Review.

Panelists include:

Andrea Scoseria Katz, associate professor of law, Washington University School of Law

Aaron L. Nielson, Charles I. Francis Professorship in Law, University of Texas at Austin School of Law, and former Solicitor General of Texas

Victoria Nourse, Ralph V. Whitworth Professor in Law, Georgetown Law School; vice chair, UnitedStates Commission on Civil Rights; former executive director of the Center on Congressional Studies

Peter M. Shane, Distinguished Scholar in Residence and adjunct professor, New York University School of Law; professor of law and Jacob E. Davis & Jacob E. Davis Chair in Law Emeritus, The Ohio State Moritz College of Law

The Drake Constitutional Law Center is one of only four such centers established by Congress. Throughout the year, the Center hosts multiple lectures and symposiums to bring the nation’s leading constitutional scholars to campus. The symposium is pending four hours of Iowa Continuing Legal Education credit. For more information, visit https://www.drake.edu/conlaw/events/.

— Taylor Johnson, Drake Law School

Cowles Library April Featured Collection

In honor of Earth Day, Cowles Library is featuring a collection of books highlighting our planet through both fiction and non-fiction books. Whether your interest is in conservation, sustainability, hiking local trails or reading climate fiction this collection has an earthy read for you.
Stop by Cowles Library or visit our Featured Collections page to explore these and other highlighted materials.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Cowles Library Crafternoon April 17

Need a break? Join us at Cowles Library for Crafternoon! On Friday, April 17, from 3–5 p.m., we’ll be making felt bookmarks. Perfect for a quick creative reset. Stay and craft with us or take materials to go. All supplies are provided.

A second Crafternoon will be held May 1 from 3–5 p.m., with book bedazzling. Bring your favorite book (or any item you’d like to decorate, like a mug or sunglasses) and enjoy some hands-on creativity.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Rec Services Relays Week Hours

The following facilities will have adjusted hours during Relays week.

Bell Center

Thursday, April 23: 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Friday, April 24: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: CLOSED

Sunday, April 26: Normal hours

Underground Fitness Center

Thursday, April 23: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Friday, April 24: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (open to faculty and staff)

Sunday, April 26: Normal hours

Tennis Center

Thursday – Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday, April 26: Normal hours

You’re invited: Special Event Recognizing Charlene Skidmore

Please join the Drake University Honors Program for a special event recognizing Charlene Skidmore for her extraordinary service and lasting contributions to the Honors program.

For 35 years, Charlene served Drake University and the Honors Program, providing continuity, leadership, and care across generations of students and through many changes in faculty leadership. In recognition of her remarkable legacy, the Honors Program will dedicate a plaque in her honor to be displayed in the Medbury Honors Lounge.

We invite members of the campus and alumni community to join us on Friday, April 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. in the Medbury Honors Lounge for remarks and light refreshments as we celebrate Charlene’s many years of dedication to the Honors Program and to Drake University.

— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education

Iowa Space Grant Consortium Research Symposium

ISGC Spring Research Symposium

April 28, 2026

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) invites the Drake Community to attend the Spring Research Symposium on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, held at the Olmsted Center at Drake University.

The afternoon will feature selected scholar presentations and a poster session showcasing innovative research from ISGC-supported students.

This event is free, offering a great opportunity to engage with emerging research, connect with students and faculty, and expand your professional network.

Light refreshments will be provided.

12:45 – 12:50 pm       Welcome address: Dr. Sara D. Nelson, ISGC Director – Sussman Theater

12:50 – 2:20 pm              Presentations by select scholars and projects- Sussman Theater

2:20– 2:30 pm                 Break and move to Parents Hall

2:30 – 3:45 pm                 Poster session – CR310-313

3:45 – 3:50 pm                 Closing Comments – Parents Hall

— Lori Byrd, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

Celebrate STEM Student Research at DUCURS April 16

Join us for the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS) on Thursday, April 16, from 12:40–4:35 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, upper-level.

DUCURS is an annual event that celebrates faculty-mentored student research across STEM disciplines. Learn more about DUCURS in this video and visit the DUSCI website for the conference schedule and activities.

DUCURS 2026 will feature over 50 student-faculty collaborative research presentations, along with opportunities to connect at community partner tables, where local organizations will share information about internships, experiential learning opportunities, and STEM career pathways. The conference will also include a keynote lecture at 3:45pm in Parents Hall South “Maternal Antibodies Protect Infants from Enteric Pathogens,” delivered by Drake alumna Dr. Kathryn Knoop (AS ’06), Associate Professor of Immunology at the Mayo Clinic.

All members of the Drake community are invited to attend DUCURS and celebrate student scholarship.

— Heidi Sleister, Professor of Biology