In light of recent military actions in Iran, Drake University’s Department of Political Science and the Maxwell Fund are hosting a panel discussion, “The U.S. Airstrikes on Iran: What’s Happening and What’s Next?” today, March 3, at 6 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
The panel discussion will cover a broad range of high-stakes topics, including:
The longstanding tensions between the two nations.
Recent Iranian protests and their impact on internal stability.
The legality of military action under international and domestic law.
Regional and global implications for Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. foreign policy.
Domestic political consequences, including the impact on the American midterm elections and public opinion.
The panel will feature Associate Professor Kieran Williams, Professor David Skidmore, Professor Debra DeLaet, Assistant Professor Adrien Halliez, Professor Mary McCarthy, and Professor Rachel Paine Caufield.
— Rachel Paine Caufield, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Co-Executive Director of the Ron & Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy
Please join us for the Humanities Reads celebration of Natasha Brown’s Assembly on Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., in the Cowles Library Reading Room.
This is a casual event where readers of the book can chat while enjoying tea, scones, tea sandwiches, and strawberries. There will be discussion questions written by English students and Center for the Humanities Board members to prompt conversation, but no formal presentation or obligation to stick to the questions! Come for a few minutes or for the entire event. Hope to see you there.
Facilities Planning and Management has scheduled several repairs and preventative maintenance to some key electrical equipment on campus that will necessitate power outages in several buildings on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The following buildings will be without power and will remain closed on March 16, 2026:
Old Main
Cole Hall
Carnegie Hall
Cartwright Law School
Opperman Law Library
Olmsted Center
The power outage in these buildings is scheduled to begin at 7:00am and last through 3:00pm. While there is a possibility work will be completed earlier than 3:00pm, these buildings will remain closed so as not to disrupt work schedules.
— Colin Atkinson, Associate Director, Facilities Planning and Management
Join the conversation about affordable housing in Iowa with open tours of the Community Crate, March 23–26, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Drake OTD building parking lot, 3003 Forest Avenue. When you visit, consider bringing a donation for the OTD Hygeine Drive to benefit hygiene banks throughout the metro.
What is the Community Crate? Using local data and stories from Iowa housing experts, Uplift has transformed a shipping container into an interactive housing exhibit designed to dig into the challenges many Iowans face when it comes to finding a place to call home. Drake’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program has partnered with Uplift to host this exhibit, known as the Community Crate.
Tours are free and open to everyone. Please contact Ashley Ezzio, ashley.ezzio@drake.edu, if bringing a class or group.
Drake University Law School will present Upholding the Rule of Law, the spring installment of its Dean’s Speaker Series, on March 3. Melissa Murray, New York University Law professor, legal analyst for MSNBC, and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, and Stuart F. Delery, a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn and former White House Counsel to President Joe Biden will be the featured speakers.
The event’s fireside chat and audience Q&A will begin at 3 p.m., followed by a reception at 4 p.m. The program is free and open to the public, with advance registration required.
The conversation will be moderated by Drake Law School Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr. and will explore the role of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law.“This event reflects Drake Law’s commitment to engaging students and the broader community in meaningful dialogue about leadership, civility, and the principles that sustain our legal system,” said Dean Jones. “We are honored to welcome Professor Melissa Murray and former White House Counsel Stuart Delery, whose careers exemplify public service, national impact, and promoting a more just world.”
Melissa Murray teaches constitutional law, family law, criminal law, and reproductive rights and justice at NYU School of Law. She is a co-author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary, and her forthcoming book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, will be published in May 2026. Her writing has appeared in leading legal and national publications, including the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. Additionally, Murray is a legal analyst for MSNBC and co-host of Strict Scrutiny, a podcast focused on the Supreme Court and legal culture.
Stuart Delery brings more than 30 years of experience in senior government leadership and private practice. As White House Counsel from 2022–2023, he advised the President on constitutional, statutory, and regulatory matters, managed responses to congressional investigations, and supported the federal judicial nomination and confirmation process. Previously, he served as Acting Associate Attorney General of the United States and as Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. He is currently a partner at Gibson Dunn, where his practice focuses on high-stakes litigation, crisis management, and regulatory matters involving complex legal and reputational risks.
The Griff of the Month series rolls on, and March is bringing the luck.
Each month, we release a new limited-edition Griff design so you can build your collection all year long. Collect all 12 designs and you will unlock a bonus exclusive at the end of the year.
For March, meet St. Paddy’s Day Griff.
Dressed for St. Patrick’s Day and ready to celebrate, this festive design adds a little extra charm to your Bulldog gear lineup.
The Division of Global Affairs is excited to kick off March with a schedule of DISTINCTIVELY GLOBAL events designed to help you learn all about Drake’s study abroad programs.
Study Abroad Fair
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Have you been impatiently waiting to learn more about where to study abroad next year or to find out what travel seminar programs will be offered J-term 2027? Wait no further! On Wednesday, March 4th, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, in Parent’s Hall North, Upper Olmsted, attend the Study Abroad Fair, to explore Drake’s largest education abroad event of the year!
This year the fair will be bigger and better, showcasing all opportunities to study and intern abroad, as well as Drake’s Travel Seminars offered J-term 2027. Students are invited to join us to learn more about our DU cohort programs (now in 3 locations around the world – Spain, England, and South Korea!), discover semester, summer, and J-term options, where we offer international internships, and to hear more about Global Learning Scholarships – over $100,000 awarded to Drake students each year! Get your questions answered from faculty leaders, program student alums, our global partners, and Global Affairs staff. We can’t wait to see you there!
One-on-One Advising
Date: Thursday, March 5:
While you’re at the Study Abroad Fair, sign up for one-on-one advising on Thursday, March 5th, timeslots available throughout the day to meet with a study abroad expert. Advising will be held in the Division of Global Affairs in Cowles Library, right around the corner from Midnight Hall.
DU England Tea Party
Date: Thursday, March 5:
Calling all DU England alums and students interested in studying abroad in the English countryside! Join us Thursday, March 5th at 5:00-7:00pm in Cowles Library Reading Room for English tea, pastries, and hear more about this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.
After visiting the Study Abroad Fair, dive deeper into DU Semester programs by attending an info session.
DU England: Drake Semester at Harlaxton
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 1 p.m. in Meredith 201
Learn more about studying and living in a 100+ room Victorian era manor in the English countryside!
Faculty-in-Residence: Prof. Rachel Paince Caulfield
DU Courses:
POLS 119: The American Political System in Comparative Perspective
POLS 119: Special Topics: Rural Politics
AOIs: Engaged Citizen
DU Korea: Drake Semester in Seoul
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 2 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 350
Hear about custom internship placements in Korea, courses available in English at Konkuk University, and program activities such as a multi-day trip to Tokyo, Japan!
Faculty-n-Residence: Prof. Kelley Ellis
DU Course: BUS 198: Business for Good Lab
AOIs: Engaged Citizen; Values & Ethics
DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville
Date: Friday, March 6:
Info Session: Friday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 350
Discover how to make a semester in Spain the best fit for you by joining the DU Spain info session! Choose from a variety of English-taught, Spanish-taught, or Spanish language courses to complement your studies at Drake, live with a local host family, in a shared apartment, or the student residence hall, and explore more of the region with program excursions and activities.
Faculty-in-residence: Prof. Jen Wilson
DU Course: JMC 199: Travel Journalism in Spain
AOIs: Artistic Literacy; Engaged Citizen; Global & Cultural Understanding
The first 100 students to stop by the DU Spain table at the Study Abroad Fair will get a chance to try a Spanish classic treat – churros con chocolate!
All In: Drake’s 24-Hour Giving Challenge scheduled for March 4–5 from noon-to-noon has been postponed due to the passing of Drake University student, Sgt. Declan Coady, who was confirmed to be among the six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait on Sunday. Please join us as we come together as a community to honor the loss of a beloved student and to extend our love and support to the Coady family during this difficult time. All In will be rescheduled for later this spring. A new date will be communicated soon.
