Tag Archives: international

For Students Archive

Nelson Institute Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Nelson Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs at Drake University on April 8 and 9. The purpose of the conference is to recognize and share high-quality undergraduate research related to international and global topics.

The conference schedule includes a global diplomacy group exercise; a dinner social featuring international appetizers; a keynote address by noted scholar Valerie Hudson, University of Texas A&M; student panels; and a closing luncheon with visiting Global Practitioner Peiqin Zhou, Nanjing University.

Students from any major are invited to submit papers for consideration. Submissions will be reviewed by a faculty panel for appropriateness of the topic and the quality of the research. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to present a summary of the paper during a conference panel. Accepted papers also will be posted on the conference web site (with author’s permission), and $200 will be awarded to the top presenter(s) as selected by faculty judges.

Find submission criteria here. The deadline for papers is Tuesday, March 3.

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND EVEN IF NOT PRESENTING A PAPER. The conference registration deadline for those not submitting a paper is March 28; you can register online. Students who attend the full conference (both days) will receive a certificate of participation. Please direct questions to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

—Submitted by Drake International

News & Achievements Archive

Drake news: Week of Feb. 15

Bill! Bill! Bill!

Bill Nye, renowned scientist, inventor, and host of Bill Nye the Science Guy, will deliver the 36th installment of the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series at Drake University. “An Evening with Bill Nye the Science Guy” is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in Drake’s Knapp Center. The lecture is free and open to the public. All seating is general admission and no tickets are required. For more information, click here.


Drake to host Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute for Young African Leaders

Drake University will host 25 of Africa’s brightest emerging leaders this summer for a six-week academic and leadership institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Beginning in June, Drake will host young professionals between the ages 25 to 35 who were selected to participate in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Learn more about this exciting opportunity in the Drake Newsroom.


National Alumni Association announces 2016 Alumni Award winners

The Drake University National Alumni Association Board of Directors will recognize seven alumni with an award reception Thursday, April 28. The 2016 Alumni Award recipients represent six graduating classes and four colleges. The reception begins at 4:30 p.m., and program begins at 5:30 p.m., in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

“We are proud to honor these alumni for their loyalty, service and achievement” said Blake Campbell, director of alumni relations. “Their dedicated commitment of their time, talents and resources to Drake University and its students ensures the continued success of this great institution. See the full list of recipients here.


Forty Under 40
Thirteen Drake University degree-holders were named to the Des Moines Business Record’s “Forty Under 40” class for 2016.

The Business Record issues its annual list to honor Greater Des Moines area professionals under the age of 40 who have “demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement,” according to the publication.

“We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of these young professionals,” said John Smith, vice president of alumni and development. “Drake alumni have a meaningful impact across the globe, but perhaps nowhere more so than in our hometown. The accomplishments of this year’s Forty Under 40 class speaks volumes about Drake’s contribution to Des Moines.”

To see the full list of alumni, visit the Drake Newsroom.

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Students Participate in a Model European Union in Brussels

Twelve Drake students traveled to Brussels during J-term to participate in the Model European Union (EU). Students learned about the EU’s institutions and participated in dialogues and a press corps with students from other American and European Universities. Students represented country delegations from the various EU member states. The discussions simulated ministerial-level conferences on issues of migration and improving the European economy, among other topics. Student came away from the conference with a better understanding of the institutions and issues facing the EU.

Drake Students in the European Parliament, Jan_opt

AT the European Commission with Drake students, Jan_opt

—Submitted by Eleanor Zeff, Associate Professor of Political Science

Featured Events Archive

The Changing Politics of U.S. Latin American Policy

What: The Changing Politics of U.S. Latin American Policy: Immigration, Cuba, Presidential Power, and the Latino Vote by David R. Ayón
When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center

Sponsored by The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship. Free and open to the public.

David R. Ayón is senior strategist and advisor to the research firm Latino Decisions, senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Los Angeles of Loyola Marymount University, a member of the editorial board of Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica and a director of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation. His current work focuses on how Latino political development interacts with national U.S. politics and U.S.-Latin America relations. Educated at Princeton, Stanford, and El Colegio de Mexico, Ayón also writes a column for the Univision News website and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Check out all the events planned by the Center for Global Citizenship in spring 2016.

—Submitted by David Skidmore, Director, Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship

For Students Archive

Ready for an adventure?

Students interested in studying abroad in summer or fall 2016 should contact Drake International at x2084 for an advising appointment with Emily Enquist or Gretchen Beckley. You may also email studyabroad@drake.edu , or visit the International Center to pick up information and fill out an interest form.

Students with questions about the Horizons system can contact Annique Kiel, x3039 annique.kiel@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Students Archive

Deep thoughts, in French

Once a month this semester, in conjunction with L’Union des Français de l’Étranger (UFE-Iowa), Drake will host a Café Philosophique, or philosophical discussion. Students and French-speaking members of the Des Moines community will gather to discuss relevant topics and life questions, and voice opinions in a welcome, open environment—all in French!

Whether you wish to practice speaking in French or want the opportunity to listen to the French language, you are welcome to join. All gatherings will be in the Medbury Honors Lounge.

  • Thursday, Feb. 4, 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 1, 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 3, 5:30 p.m.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Faculty Archive

Attention advisers: Changes in education abroad

Drake International is in the process of hiring a new education abroad adviser. In the interim, students may email questions to studyabroad@drake.edu or make an advising appointment with Emily Enquist or Gretchen Beckley by calling x2084. They may also visit the International Center to pick up information and fill out an interest form.

Until a new person is hired and trained, Annique Kiel will make education abroad presentations to classes or at special events. Contact annique.kiel@drake.edu or call her at x3039. Annique is also available for questions about the Horizons system.

—Submitted by Drake International

News & Achievements Archive

J-Term happenings

Contemporary Urban Mexico
The messages we hear about Mexico do not capture the rich complexity of this nation. Drake students from across campus drew this conclusion after completing the interdisciplinary immersion course, Contemporary Urban Mexico, in Guadalajara during the 2016 J-Term.

This was a hands-on course. We learned about the city through visiting a dozen field experiences, using the five senses and writing journals about each. Additionally, Mexicans from all walks of life shared their perspectives and expertise. After cheering on Lucha Libre wrestling “good guys,” observing interactions in public markets, learning about history through artwork, and touring a community garden, students completed research projects on a topic of their choice, ranging from documentary film to gender in religion.

Urban spaces create possibilities and limits that we explored through field site visits, writing, socializing, reflection, and lectures. The course is already being planned for 2017 through a joint collaboration between the Spanish and Sociology programs and the campus of Monterrey Tec, Guadalajara.

—Darcie Vandegrift, Associate Professor of Sociology, Department Chair

Families, Lifestyles, and Annuity Tables: Why Corporations are Interested in Chile
During their time in Chile, students visited and toured a new soccer stadium, Estadio Sausalito, in Vina del Mar. The city is very proud of their 21,000-seat stadium, reopened after completing major renovations last year following a devastating earthquake in 2010. The stadium hosted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in October and November. The class’ visit was highlighted on the city’s website.

—Dorothy Pisarski, Associate Professor of Journalism