Category Archives: Campus Announcements

Apply to Judge the 2026 Beautiful Bulldog Contest

Think you have what it takes to judge one of Drake’s most beloved traditions? We’re looking for two Bulldogs—one Drake alum or friend and one current student—to help crown the winner of the 47th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest during Drake Relays week. Judges will meet the contestants, interact with their owners, and evaluate each pup based on appearance, personality, and Drake spirit. Apply today for a chance to take your seat at the judges’ table and help select the next Most Beautiful Bulldog. Applications close Monday, April 6 at noon.

Apply here: https://alumni.drake.edu/relays/beautiful-bulldog/beautiful-bulldog-contestant-judge-submission.

— Bruce Heintz, University Communications & Marketing

Rescheduled: All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge

Thank you for your understanding and support in our decision to postpone this year’s All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge. Please mark your calendars for April 8–9 from noon to noon as our Bulldog community comes together to make a lasting impact. 

New this year, if 30% of faculty and staff make a gift to the University by the close of All In, we’ll celebrate with a half day off on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Every gift made since July 1 counts, and All In is a great opportunity to be part of the 30% of campus partners participating.

In honor of your support, any Drake faculty or staff member that makes a gift during All In will be entered into a drawing for one of the following prizes:

  • Free parking pass for Commuter Tier II Parking Lots
  • Treats delivered by Griff II for your entire department
  • Drake Relays Experience package (Gift card to use at the Relays Tent, VIP Relays Tickets, and more)
  • Year-long, individual membership to the Varsity Cinema
  • Bulldog Beer Package (4-pack of Bulldog Beer, a Drake-branded pint glass, and more)
  • Limited Edition Griff II socks
  • Copy of the new Griff II children’s book, “Griff’s Big Little Adventure”
  • Drake Swag (cross-body bags, Drake flags, blankets, bobbleheads, coffee mugs)

Join your fellow faculty and staff and go All In for our Bulldog community on April 8-9. Learn more at all-in.drake.edu.

Spring Wardrobe Refresh

We’re making room for what’s next at the Bulldog Shop. As part of our spring cleanup, you’ll now find newly marked-down merchandise throughout the store.

Enjoy savings of 25–50% off select clearance apparel and gifts while supplies last. It’s a great time to stock up on Bulldog gear at a great price.

— Bulldog Shop

Tyler Shultz: Whistleblower, Founder, Speaker

The Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation proudly presents: Tyler Shultz: Theranos Whistleblower, Founder, Venture Partner, and Speaker

“Cultivating Courage: Ethics as a Competitive Advantage”

Date: Tuesday, March 31
Location: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center
Time: Doors open at 5 p.m. Program begins at 6 p.m.

What does it truly mean to do the right thing when the stakes are high—and the pressure is even higher?

Join fellow colleagues and students for an impactful evening with Tyler Shultz, a nationally recognized whistleblower and champion of ethical leadership. Tyler will share his firsthand experience demonstrating moral courage amid extraordinary organizational and personal risk.

Tyler helped expose fraud at Theranos, ultimately contributing to the collapse of the $9 billion company and the criminal convictions of its CEO and COO. Since then, he has co-founded two diagnostics companies and advises startups and venture capital firms on navigating complex technical, commercial, and ethical challenges.

His story invites future leaders to rethink ethics—not as a limitation, but as a powerful strategic advantage. This timely conversation will examine ethical decision-making, accountability, and the real-world consequences of speaking up—offering lessons that resonate across business, healthcare, law, public policy, and entrepreneurship.

The Archie R. Boe Lecture Series is an endowed lecture series that focuses on ethical decision-making in business.

For more information, contact Kevin Croft, kevin.croft@drake.edu.

— Susan OBrien, Coordinator, Programming and Events

Griff Gives Back: Help Griff II Collect 20,000 Pounds of Pet Food

The 11th annual Griff Gives Back pet food drive is here! This year’s event holds special significance as it marks Griff II’s final donation drive as our live mascot. Griff II is rallying the Drake community to help him reach his goal of collecting 20,000 pounds of adult dog and cat food to support The Pet Project Midwest, a local pet food pantry.

Whether you donate via Griff’s Amazon Wish List, mail-in orders, or at his physical drop-off spots, every pound counts toward keeping local pets fed and with their families. We’ll celebrate the conclusion of Griff Gives Back at the Beautiful Bulldog Contest on Sunday, April 19, at the Knapp Center from 2–3 p.m.

— Erin Bell, University Communications & Marketing

Please Join Us for a Faculty Research Celebration, April 9 from 4–5:30 p.m.

Please join us for a special celebration of faculty research and academic achievementon Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Cowles Reading Room. Faculty who submitted their recent publications will be featured on a rolling slide show, and their physical publications may be displayed. Please join us to celebrate the incredible contributions of our faculty! 

Refreshments will include an assortment of light snacks and beverages. 

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Little Women: The Musical

Drake University Department of Theatre Arts invites you to our production of Little Women: The Musical, performing in the Performing Arts Hall of the Harmon Fine Arts Center April 2–4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 5 at 2 p.m.

The heartfelt story of the March sisters is brought to the stage! Experience the beloved characters of Louisa May Alcott’s book, and get swept away in the music and the journey. This “astonishing” classic is one you won’t want to miss.

Secure your tickets now by visiting the fine arts box office (located at the front of the Harmon Fine Arts Center), viewing the fine arts box office website, calling 515–271–3841, or emailing boxoffice@drake.edu.

— Ella Appelbaum, Theatre Arts Intern

Summer and Fall 2026 Registration, Schedule of Classes

The Summer and Fall 2026 schedule of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration begins Monday, April 6.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, April 20th, those reservations will be removed. Note that some courses have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, file your changes via the change of record request no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30th. Requests submitted after this date may be delayed.

The change of record request can be found by navigating to myDrake, selecting Self-Service under commonly used apps, and clicking on the link for the change of record request under Student Records.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar

Call for Applications: DUSCI Summer Research Fellowship Program

The Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI) will host ~10 summer research fellows for an eight-week, full-time, paid summer research experience from May 26 through July 17, 2026.

The DUSCI Summer Research Fellowship Program offers STEM and STEM education students an opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on a significant research project. Fellows gain valuable hands-on research experience, problem solving, and professional communication. The program helps students strengthen preparation for graduate study, health professions, teaching, research careers, and other STEM-related pathways.

Applications are due Wednesday, April 1 at noon, and should be developed and submitted by students in collaboration with a faculty research mentor.

This program is made possible through support from the Drake University President’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Education, NASA- ISGC Base Program, and the Clifford G. Rea Endowment. Students doing research on campus in the summer with funding from other sources are invited to join the DUSCI cohort.

Additional program details, eligibility information, and application materials are available on the DUSCI website. Please reach out to Heidi.Sleister@Drake.edu with questions.

— Heidi Sleister, Director of DUSCI

Join the Drake University Honors Program for a Special Event Recognizing Charlene Skidmore

You’re invited to join the Drake University 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 Drake University.

— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education