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Drake University
Drake University
Drake University
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Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It offers over 140[9] undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, law, and pharmacy. Drake University Law School was founded in 1865, which makes it one of the 25 oldest law schools in the United States.[10]

Key Information

History

[edit]
Francis Marion Drake
Old Main Administration Offices

Drake University was founded in March 1881 by George T. Carpenter, a teacher and pastor, and Francis Marion Drake, a Union general during the Civil War. Drake was originally affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at its founding, but the religious affiliation was terminated in 1907.[11] The first classes convened in 1881, with 77 students and one building constructed, Student's Home.

In 1883, the first permanent building, Old Main, was completed. Old Main remains prominent on campus, housing administration offices, Levitt Hall, and Sheslow Auditorium, and as the site of many United States presidential debates and other events. The university's law school–the second oldest law school in the country west of the Mississippi River, after Saint Louis University School of Law–was established in 1865, by Chester C. Cole,[12] who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1864 to 1876. Drake's first international students enrolled for classes in 1886, and were citizens of China, Persia, Armenia, and Japan. The first campus library opened on June 16, 1908. In 1920, due to a housing crisis, the university allowed social fraternities to use Greek letter emblems and affiliate with national offices.[13]

The College of Education evolved out of the 1888 purchase of Callanan College of Women. In 1893, that Callanan entity became known as the Normal College, preparing students to be teachers until 1906. It was renamed as the School of Education or alternatively, as the College of Education between 1906 and 1987. The School of Education serves more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students.[14]

Drake's law school, one of the 25 oldest law schools in the nation, traces its history to 1865.[15] It is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools; has been accredited since 1923, when accreditation began; and is one of only 75 ABA-approved law schools with a chapter of the Order of the Coif. Drake University Law School is home to the American Judicature Society; the archives of the National Bar Association, the nation's oldest and largest national association of predominately African American lawyers and judges; and the Drake Constitutional Law Center, one of only four constitutional law programs established by the U.S. Congress and funded by the federal government.

In 1887, the Iowa College of Pharmacy affiliated with Drake University and operated as one of the colleges of the university, until 1906, when it was discontinued. Drake was without a pharmacy school until 1939, when the Des Moines College of Pharmacy Corporation, which separated from Des Moines University in 1927, was dissolved and the college's staff and facilities became part of Drake University.[16]

In 1931, the women's dormitory opened—the first on-campus student residence built since the university's founding. In 1937, ground was broken on commencement day for Cowles Library, now the university's primary library. In 1939, a new men's dormitory was completed, which included a student union, dubbed "The Kennel". In 1963, Kirk Residence Hall opened, then Meredith Hall opened, in 1965, opening the door for the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Journalism. During the height of nationwide student protests in 1970–culminating in the Student Strike of 1970–a bomb exploded inside Harvey Ingham Hall. No one was injured, but windows were shattered in nearby Meredith, Fitch and Herriott Halls. Ingham was decimated but repaired. The largest building on campus, the Harmon Fine Arts Center, opened in 1972. The Olmsted Center, Drake's student union building, opened in 1974.

On September 17, 1969, the Drake student newspaper, The Times-Delphic,[17] published what appears to be the first documented account of the Paul is dead hoax.[18] No articles published prior to this piece about the supposed death of Paul McCartney are evidenced, although fellow Times-Delphic reporter and musician Dartanyan Brown, one of the sources for the article, recalled hearing about the hoax from other musicians and reading about it in some underground newspapers.

In 1992, the Knapp Center opened as home to the men's and women's basketball teams, and the women's volleyball team. It contains four racquetball courts, five basketball and volleyball courts, a 200-meter track, and a weight training center. The facility hosted President Bill Clinton in 1996.[13]

In 2013, Drake University became the home of The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement.

Academics

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Academic rankings
National
Forbes[19]211
U.S. News & World Report[20]179
Washington Monthly[21]186
WSJ/College Pulse[22]97

The university is organized into 7 colleges and schools:[23]

Student life

[edit]

Drake features over 160 student organizations, which including several fraternities and sororities.

The School of Journalism & Mass Communication (SJMC) magazine program has achieved national prominence. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) team that visited in 1999, termed Drake's Magazines program the strongest undergraduate sequence in the country. In 2007, Drake student magazines THiNK and 515 won Pacemaker Awards.

Athletics

[edit]
Main article: Drake Bulldogs

Drake student-athletes compete in NCAA Division I in the Missouri Valley Conference in all sports except football, men's tennis and women's rowing. In football, Drake competes in the FCS NCAA Division I Pioneer Football League. In women's rowing, Drake competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. In men's tennis, Drake competes in the Summit League.

History

[edit]

In 1885, baseball became the university's first varsity sport, followed by football and track.[citation needed]

In 1904, Drake organized a women's basketball team, but Mary Carpenter, the first Dean of Women, banned the team as "not appropriate" for women.[citation needed]

Also in 1904, the athletic teams received their nickname of Bulldogs from a sportswriter who noticed that John L. Griffith, who coached every sport, was bringing his pet bulldogs to the practice fields. The teams had previously been known as the Ducklings and Ganders.[citation needed]

On October 11, 1905, Drake's first football field, Haskins Field, opened with a 17–0 loss to Iowa.[citation needed]

In 1928, Drake's football history continued when Drake defeated Simpson College 41–6 in what is believed to be the first night football game west of the Mississippi River. Perhaps the most famous incident[when?] in Drake's football history is known as the Johnny Bright Incident, where Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs in the Des Moines Register proved an intentional attack on the African American quarterback by Oklahoma A&M football players (Oklahoma A&M became Oklahoma State in 1957).[24]

In 1969, Drake's men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Top-seeded UCLA Bruins men's basketball and its 7-foot megastar Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) barely escaped an upset in the national semifinals, 85–82.[citation needed]

In 1973, nearly 70 years after the original women's basketball team had been banned, Drake established a department of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics.[citation needed]

In 1981, senior Lewis Lloyd, the nation's second-leading scorer in Division I men's basketball, was named a first-team All-American. Drafted by the Houston Rockets, Lloyd went on to an eight-year NBA career.[13]

In 1982, the first year of the NCAA women's basketball tournament, Drake came within one step of the Final Four.[citation needed]

Drake Relays Logo

Drake Relays

[edit]
Main article: Drake Relays

Drake's most famous event, the Drake Relays, began in 1910 in a blizzard with fewer than 100 participants. In 1935 Jesse Owens set an American broad jump record (26 feet 1-3/4 inches) at the Drake Relays. Today, the Drake Relays draws athletes from all over the world, including Olympians.[25] It is common to see Relays participants compete in the Summer Olympics and vice versa. Students' kick-off the Relays in the annual tradition of street painting, in which student organizations colorfully decorate areas of Carpenter Avenue near the center of campus under a common theme.

Notable people

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Main article: List of Drake University people

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Drake University

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from Grokipedia
![Fmdrake.jpg][float-right] Drake University is a private, coeducational university located in , founded in 1881 by Drake, a Civil War general and former governor of whose financial support established the institution. The university enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,600 graduate students, offering more than 140 programs across seven colleges and schools, with an emphasis on and preparing students for professional success. Recognized for educational quality and value, Drake maintains a student-faculty ratio that supports intimate class sizes and has recently completed its largest fundraising campaign, exceeding a $225 million goal by over $40 million to fund scholarships, facilities, and programs. Notable features include its historic law school, one of the oldest in the Midwest, strong programs in business and pharmacy, and the Drake Bulldogs athletic teams competing in the Missouri Valley Conference and Summit League. In 2025, the university faced a federal civil rights complaint alleging racial discrimination in a scholarship program, highlighting ongoing debates over equity initiatives in higher education.

History

Founding and Early Development (1881–1900)

Drake University was founded in March 1881 in Des Moines, Iowa, by George T. Carpenter, a Disciples of Christ minister and educator previously affiliated with Oskaloosa College, and Francis Marion Drake, a Union Army general, railroad executive, and Iowa governor-elect who secured the venture with a $20,000 personal pledge. The institution was envisioned as nonsectarian and broadly liberal, emphasizing coeducation and racial inclusivity from the outset, with initial enrollment of 77 students convening in a temporary five-story Student's Home structure. Construction of the first permanent edifice, Old Main, began in 1882 and concluded in 1883, housing administrative functions, classrooms, and residences while symbolizing institutional stability amid rapid growth. Under Carpenter's chancellorship, the curriculum initially focused on theology and classical studies but soon incorporated preparatory and collegiate tracks, attracting the university's first international students from , Persia, , and by 1886. By 1900, enrollment had expanded to approximately 1,600 students across liberal arts, medical, law, and other programs, marking Drake's transition from a modest college to a comprehensive and contributing to the closure of rival Oskaloosa College that year. This era solidified the university's role in Iowa's educational landscape, though Carpenter's death in 1893 necessitated leadership transitions to sustain momentum.

Growth and Institutional Milestones (1900–1950)

In the early 1900s, Drake University expanded its physical infrastructure to accommodate growing academic needs, with the addition of Sheeslow Auditorium to the existing Old Main structure in 1900, followed by renovations in 1903. The Conservatory of Music was constructed in 1903, enhancing the institution's offerings in . These developments reflected steady enrollment increases and program diversification beyond foundational liberal arts into specialized fields like music and sciences, as documented in campus historical records. A pivotal athletic milestone occurred in 1910 with the inaugural , an annual track and field event held despite adverse weather, which quickly gained national prominence and boosted the university's visibility. The 1920s saw further academic recognition, including the establishment of Iowa's third-oldest chapter in 1923, signaling rigorous scholarly standards amid expanding enrollment from the early . Infrastructure support for athletics followed with the construction of the Fieldhouse in 1926. The period's later decades included the opening of the Johansen Student Center in 1931, providing dedicated student facilities amid economic challenges of the . By 1945, the university commissioned a master plan from architects Eliel and to guide long-term campus development, incorporating modern designs for residence halls and academic buildings to prepare for anticipated post-war expansion while preserving core structures. These initiatives underscored institutional maturation, with enrollment stability and targeted investments enabling resilience through global conflicts like and II.

Post-War Expansion and Modernization (1950–2000)

Following , Drake University pursued a deliberate strategy of modernization through , hiring the firm Saarinen, Swanson, and Saarinen in to develop a comprehensive master plan for campus growth. This plan emphasized functional, forward-looking designs integrated with the landscape, incorporating an industrial aesthetic to align with the era's emphasis on science, technology, and . oversaw initial phases until his death in 1950, after which his son Eero continued, resulting in nine buildings attributed to the Saarinens, including residence halls and a dining facility promoted in university materials by 1953. These structures, such as Fitch Hall and Harvey Ingham Hall, represented a shift from traditional styles to , facilitating adaptability for future enrollment surges and reflecting broader post-war priorities in higher education. Enrollment expanded significantly in the immediate post-war years, driven by returning veterans, including married students with families, which necessitated rapid infrastructure adaptations like converting the University Church (later Hope+Elam Hall) into temporary housing. This growth strained resources amid rising construction costs and material shortages during the economic transition, yet it underscored the university's commitment to accommodating demand through on-campus facilities rather than relying on off-site rooming. By the 1960s and 1970s, further architectural contributions from figures like and sustained this modernization trajectory, adding buildings that complemented the Saarinen vision and supported expanded academic programs across emerging colleges and schools. Under presidents like Paul Sharp (tenure spanning the 1970s to mid-1980s), these efforts yielded measurable gains, with enrollment rising approximately 20 percent and faculty increasing by 40 percent, enabling diversification into professional fields while maintaining a , liberal arts core. The period also saw athletic milestones, such as the men's basketball team's 1969 NCAA Final Four appearance, which bolstered institutional visibility amid physical and programmatic scaling. By 2000, the campus had evolved from its pre-war constraints into a modern hub, though challenges like a 1970 bombing of Harvey Ingham Hall highlighted occasional tensions in this transformative phase.

Recent Developments (2000–Present)

In the early 2000s, Drake University established the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute in 2000 to foster student leadership development through intentional learning and skill-building programs, supported by alumni contributions. A comprehensive program review in 2001 emphasized interdisciplinary centers of excellence and inter-college initiatives to enhance academic offerings. Under President David Maxwell, who served from 1999 to 2015, the university focused on strategic growth, including expansions in science facilities such as a new connector building between Olin and Fitch Halls featuring a and . Marty Martin assumed the presidency in July 2015, prioritizing and fiscal sustainability. During his tenure, enrollment stabilized around 4,500 students, with undergraduate numbers near 2,700, though first-year cohorts declined from approximately 800 in the mid-2010s to 589 in 2024 amid broader higher education demographic pressures. infrastructure advanced with mixed-use developments adjacent to the university, including labs and collaborative spaces in 2017 and two five-story buildings with 116 housing units in 2021. The university launched fundraising campaign in 2021 with a $225 million goal, surpassing it by raising $265 million by October 2024 to support scholarships, facilities, and programs. In athletics, Brian Hardin became director in 2017, overseeing improved standings and preparations for evolving NCAA revenue-sharing models announced in 2025. A $6 million Drake Stadium Centennial Campaign was initiated in August 2025 to modernize the venue marking its 100th year. Facing operating budget pressures, Drake conducted an academic program review in 2024, initially proposing elimination of 13 low-enrollment programs—including majors in , , and —to achieve balance by fiscal year 2026. After faculty review and debate, the board approved cuts to three: the minor, major, and Evidence-Based graduate certificate, while retaining others through efficiencies. These measures addressed declining revenues and rising costs common in private higher education, with student organizations also facing reduced funding. In April 2025, the renovated Morehouse Residence Hall reopened as the Johansen Student Center, providing centralized space for over 150 student organizations.

Academics

Colleges, Schools, and Programs

Drake University organizes its academic offerings into seven colleges and schools, encompassing more than 140 undergraduate majors, graduate degrees, and professional programs across liberal arts, business, education, media, , , and health sciences. This structure supports a student-faculty of 11:1, facilitating personalized instruction within a curriculum that integrates practical experiences such as internships and research opportunities. The College of Arts & Sciences provides foundational through 42 undergraduate majors in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, fostering skills in , writing, and for careers or advanced study in fields like and . The Zimpleman College of Business combines theoretical with applied , offering bachelor's and master's degrees in areas such as , , , and , enhanced by internships, an Executive in Residence program, and centers for . John Dee Bright College, a two-year institution within the university, delivers associate degrees via interdisciplinary, project-centered seminars that emphasize collaboration, innovation, and addressing real-world challenges, preparing students for transfer or entry-level roles. The equips future educators, counselors, and administrators with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs featuring extensive fieldwork in partnering school districts to build practical teaching competencies. The School of Journalism & Mass Communication grants undergraduate degrees in , , , strategic political communication, and , bolstered by student-run media outlets, professional studios, and required internships for media industry readiness. The Law School confers degrees with a focus on through trial practicums, legal clinics, and specialized centers in , , and constitutional rights, alongside joint degree options. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers and other health sciences degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels, incorporating patient-care simulations, research labs, and training to develop clinical and interdisciplinary expertise.

Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

Drake University's undergraduate admissions process is test-optional, with an acceptance rate of 64% for recent cycles. Admitted first-year students typically possess a high school GPA averaging 3.68 on a 4.0 scale, with 68% ranking in the top of their class and 90% in the top half. Among those submitting scores, the middle 50% range for is 1120–1370 and for the ACT is 24–31, with medians of 1260 and 27, respectively. The fall 2025 entering first-year class consists of 653 students, drawn from 30 states and 9 countries, including 3% international students and 33% from underrepresented minority groups. Gender distribution stands at 60% and 40% , reflecting a consistent pattern of higher female enrollment. First-generation college students comprise a portion of the class, though exact figures vary annually; distribution across colleges includes 46% in Arts and Sciences, 28% in Zimpleman College of Business, and 17% in Journalism and Mass Communication. Total enrollment at Drake University approximates 4,204 students, with 2,503 undergraduates from 44 states and 34 countries. Undergraduate gender breakdown is 60.5% female and 39.5% male, consistent with broader trends in private liberal arts institutions. First-year enrollment has trended downward over the past decade, as shown below:
YearEntering First-Year Students
2015803
2016767
2017758
2018750
2019782
2020738
2021759
2022711
2023616
2024589
This decline to 589 in 2024 was followed by a rebound to 653 in 2025. Graduate enrollment supplements the undergraduate population, contributing to a total exceeding 4,000, though precise graduate figures for fall 2025 remain under official reporting as of October 2025.

Faculty and Research Output

Drake University employs around 300 full-time faculty members, comprising instructors and professors distributed across its seven colleges and schools. This body includes approximately 140 full-time faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, 93% of whom hold terminal degrees in their fields. The overall student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, enabling smaller class sizes and personalized instruction, with 60% of classes having 29 or fewer students. Faculty qualifications emphasize practical expertise alongside academic credentials, particularly in professional programs such as , , and , where practitioners often contribute as . Full-time faculty composition shows a balanced distribution by rank: roughly 27% assistant professors, 35% associate professors, and a significant proportion of full s, with near 50% female and 50% male. Average stands at $115,080, reflecting competitive compensation for a mid-sized private institution. In research output, Drake operates as a professions-focused undergraduate/graduate doctorate institution per the Carnegie Classification, prioritizing professional doctoral degrees like and PharmD over research-intensive scholarship. Research expenditures remain modest, absent from national NSF Higher Education Research and Development rankings, with activity centered on internal funding mechanisms such as Drake Research Grants offering up to $3,000 per faculty project and Humanities Research Scholar Awards providing $3,500 stipends or course reassignments. External grants are infrequent but include targeted awards, exemplified by a November 2024 NSF grant to faculty for studying in sociotechnical education. Scholarly production supports teaching and student , with emphasis on undergraduate research collaborations rather than high-volume publications or federally sponsored labs.

Rankings and Academic Reputation

Drake University is ranked #183 out of 436 National Universities in the 2026 rankings, placing it in the mid-tier among private institutions nationwide. It also earns #69 in Best Value Schools nationally, reflecting strong performance in metrics like graduation rates and alumni earnings relative to cost. Within Iowa, Drake ranks as the top and #1 for value among all institutions. The Wall Street Journal's 2026 College Pulse Rankings position Drake as the #1 private school in for the third consecutive year, #2 overall in the state behind public universities, and within the top 200 nationally out of over 580 evaluated institutions, emphasizing student outcomes, salary after graduation, and debt levels. America's Top Colleges list ranks Drake #287 overall, #157 among private colleges, #178 in research universities, and #55 in the Midwest, based on alumni earnings, debt repayment, and return on investment. Niche rankings for 2026 highlight Drake as #4 among Best Colleges in , #41 for colleges with no application fee nationwide, and #71 for small colleges, drawing from student surveys on academics, value, and campus life. Academic reputation surveys in U.S. News incorporate peer assessments from university presidents and provosts, where Drake scores moderately among national peers, supporting its regional strengths in professional programs like and over elite research output. These rankings underscore Drake's solid but not exceptional national standing, with competitive value propositions driven by lower costs and -focused outcomes rather than broad prestige.

Campus and Facilities

Physical Location and Infrastructure

Drake University is located at 2507 University Avenue in , on the city's north side within an urban residential neighborhood. The main campus occupies approximately 150 acres, integrating academic buildings, student housing, and green spaces amid the metropolitan area of over 500,000 residents. The campus infrastructure combines historic architecture with modern expansions. Old Main, constructed from 1882 to 1883 as a three-story red brick structure with five front-facing gables, serves as the foundational building and contributes to the Drake University Campus Historic District, recognized on the in 1977. Key academic facilities include Cline Hall of Pharmacy and Science and Harvey Ingham Hall, which support laboratory-based instruction and student study areas like the Student Learning Commons. Additional structures encompass the Harmon Fine Arts Center for music and arts programs and the Performing Arts Hall, a 460-seat renovated in 1993 to accommodate large-scale theatrical and musical events. Recent developments focus on specialized research and . The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, dedicated in 2024, functions as a landmark facility housing the Harkin Institute for and Citizen , featuring advanced spaces for public discourse and . Facilities & oversees operational , including custodial services, grounds , utilities, and building repairs across the . Off-campus assets, such as the 1,000-acre Environmental Learning Center, extend ecological research opportunities beyond the primary urban site.

Libraries, Laboratories, and Student Resources

Cowles Library serves as the primary academic library at Drake University, functioning as the largest private academic library in and housing the institution's general print and digital collections, which are accessible via online search tools such as SuperSearch. It provides extensive resources including thousands of journal articles, e-books, videos, research databases with over 10,000 full-text periodicals (more than 7,500 peer-reviewed), books, journals, media, newspapers, and magazines to support student research and coursework. The library offers research assistance, study spaces, online tutorials, and round-the-clock support availability seven days a week for twelve hours daily, aligning with its stated purpose of advancing the university's educational objectives. Drake University's laboratories span multiple departments, emphasizing hands-on teaching, , and undergraduate collaboration, with facilities distributed across buildings such as Olin Hall, Fitch Hall, Cline Hall, and Harvey Ingham Hall. In the sciences, the Department maintains specialized laboratories for introductory courses, advanced , and equipment-intensive work, while the Chemistry Department features dedicated spaces for , , and biochemistry experiments. The Physics and Astronomy Department includes state-of-the-art collaborative undergraduate labs and a research laboratory, supporting experimental and observational studies. The College of and Health Sciences operates simulation-focused facilities like the Davidson Pharmacy Practice Lab for training in prescription processing, immunizations, and patient education, alongside the Franson Simulation Lab and Clinic Human Patient Simulation Center for clinical practice. A recent complex addition, including a connector between Olin and Fitch Halls, incorporates a , , and expanded labs completed as part of a master plan to enhance interdisciplinary capabilities. Student resources at Drake University encompass academic, career, and wellness support services designed to facilitate degree completion and , coordinated through offices like the Student Services Center, which manages ID systems and campus program access. Academic assistance includes tutoring in subjects such as , academic , and accommodations for disabilities via the Office of Student Disability Services. Additional offerings feature career services for job placement and internships, counseling services, a center, and tools like for tracking academic progress and scheduling support. These resources integrate with services to provide comprehensive aid, including registrar functions for enrollment and the campus bookstore for materials.

Governance and Administration

Leadership Structure and Key Figures

Drake University is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for strategic oversight, duties, and appointing the president as chief executive. The board comprises approximately 40 members, including , business leaders, and ex-officio representatives like the president, with diverse professional backgrounds in , , , and industry. Paul Schickler was appointed board chair in July 2025 for a three-year term, succeeding Mark Ernst; recent additions include Cain Hayes, Craig Ibsen, Jeff Lorenzen, and Alessa Quane. The president leads day-to-day operations, academic mission, and institutional advancement. Earl F. "Marty" Martin, the 13th president, assumed office on July 1, 2015, following a national search to replace David Maxwell; his contract was unanimously extended by the board for another three years in February 2025. Martin, a former U.S. and academic administrator, previously served as executive vice president at (2010–2015) and dean of its law school, with a J.D. from the and an LL.M. from Yale. Supporting the president is an executive leadership team, including Provost Sue Mattison, chief academic officer since 2016, who oversees faculty, curriculum, and enrollment across the university's colleges and schools; she holds a Ph.D. in and serves as a tenured . Other key administrators include John P. Smith, for university advancement since 2006, managing alumni relations, fundraising, and communications; Jerry Parker, and dean of students since 2014, directing student life and support services; and Adam Voigts, handling budgeting and fiscal strategy. The team reports through structures like the President's Council, emphasizing collaborative decision-making on priorities such as equity, community engagement, and operational efficiency.

Financial Management and Endowment

Drake University's consolidated financial statements, audited annually by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, reflect a stable balance sheet with total assets of $607.5 million as of June 30, 2024, comprising primarily investments, cash equivalents, and property, plant, and equipment. Liabilities stood at $86.0 million, including $47.3 million in long-term debt from bonds and loans, yielding net assets of $521.5 million, an increase from $477.6 million the prior year. Operating revenues reached $155.7 million in fiscal year 2024, driven by tuition, fees, and auxiliary services, though expenses of $164.6 million resulted in an operating deficit offset by nonoperating gains such as investment returns. The university's endowment, valued at $306.2 million in net assets as of June 30, 2024, supports scholarships, faculty positions, and programs through a diversified investment portfolio emphasizing long-term growth. Managed in compliance with the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), the endowment adheres to a 5% annual spending calculated on the average over the prior 12 quarters, balancing current needs with preservation of purchasing power. The Board of Trustees establishes the and , while an internal office handles day-to-day operations, targeting total returns sufficient to sustain spending amid market volatility.
Fiscal Year Ending June 30Total AssetsNet AssetsEndowment Net AssetsOperating RevenuesOperating ExpensesLong-Term Debt
2024$607.5M$521.5M$306.2M$155.7M$164.6M$47.3M
2023$568.2M$477.6M$266.9M$156.2M$161.9M$49.8M
Financial management has faced pressures from declining enrollment, contributing to projected operating deficits, including $4.3 million for 2024 before adjustments. In response, the university implemented cost reductions exceeding 5% for 2025, including program eliminations and faculty position cuts, aiming for balance by summer 2025. Despite these challenges, 2024 concluded $1.9 million ahead of projections through stabilization and expense controls, with auditors issuing an unqualified opinion affirming fair presentation under and a composite financial index score of 3.0 indicating strong viability.

Institutional Policies on Expression and Inclusion

Drake University's Community, Diversity and Freedom of Expression policy, effective July 2016, affirms the institution's commitment to cherishing and defending freedom of speech to the full extent protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, while encouraging diverse perspectives and the free flow of ideas among community members. The policy aims to balance expressive rights with fostering an inclusive environment, prohibiting harassment or discrimination that impedes others' ability to participate in university life, but it does not explicitly define restrictions on content-based speech beyond legal limits. In practice, however, Drake has implemented designated free speech zones that confine expressive activities, such as political advocacy, to specific areas like parking lots, prompting criticism for effectively "caging" speech and limiting spontaneous expression across campus. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression () has documented cases where university actions appeared to encroach on protected speech, including an investigation of a for privately writing an anti-LGBTQ slur in personal notes during class, which FIRE argued constituted overreach into non-disruptive expression. Further illustrating tensions, the Drake Student Senate denied registered student organization (RSO) status to Turning Point USA, a conservative group, on multiple occasions, including in 2019 and 2022, citing concerns that the group's views were "harmful," "racist," "transphobic," and made students feel "uncomfortable and frightened." FIRE condemned these decisions as viewpoint discrimination, noting that student government bodies lack authority to suppress disfavored ideologies under the university's own free expression principles, though Drake, as a private institution, is not legally bound by the First Amendment. Regarding inclusion, Drake's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitment positions diversity as an institutional strength, emphasizing a of inclusion that values differences in identities, backgrounds, and ideas, with equitable treatment extended to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors through dedicated resources. The university pledges broad recruitment of diverse candidates and equal educational and employment opportunities irrespective of protected characteristics, including race, sex, , , , age, , and veteran status. Supporting policies prohibit and based on these classes, with reporting mechanisms outlined in resources like the prohibited harassment policy, though enforcement has faced scrutiny in separate contexts for potential .

Student Life

Demographics and Campus Culture

Drake University enrolls approximately 2,585 undergraduate students as of fall 2024, with a total student population of around 4,800 including graduate students. The distribution favors women, who comprise about 60% of the undergraduate body, reflecting a 60.5% female to 39.5% male ratio. Racial and ethnic diversity among undergraduates stands at 29.6% non-white as of the 2025-2026 , marking the highest level in the institution's history following a diverse incoming class with 33.2% underrepresented minorities. Approximately 19% of students identify as LGBTQ+, and the student body represents 143 countries, indicating moderate international presence. Earlier data from the align with a predominantly white composition, at roughly 75% for the total enrollment. Campus culture emphasizes and , leveraging the university's Des Moines location for political internships and events, including hosting presidential debates. Students report a tight-knit with supportive relationships and first-year residence hall programs fostering . The institution maintains robust diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) programs, expanding them amid state-level scrutiny from Republicans, which administration officials defend as essential for institutional strength. A student survey highlighted appreciation for political opportunities but noted calls for greater acceptance of non-left-leaning views and concerns over hate slurs, with 80% of respondents in a related climate study feeling comfortable overall. Greek organizations influence much of the undergraduate social scene.

Extracurricular Activities and Traditions

Drake University supports over 150 registered student clubs and organizations, covering areas such as academics, , , , and , with opportunities promoted through bi-annual Activities Fairs. Examples include the Outdoor Leadership Club for and environmental initiatives, the Poker Club for competitive gaming, for academic trivia competitions, and the Action Network for advocacy on child welfare issues. These groups foster skill development and , with students able to browse options or propose new ones via the Student Involvement office. Fraternity and sorority life constitutes a significant portion of extracurricular involvement, with the community comprising multiple chapters dedicated to , training, and philanthropic service; all-Greek GPA has consistently exceeded the average in recent years. Drake hosts five of the nine organizations, known as the Divine Nine, alongside social such as and , and sororities including and . The Office of and Sorority Life oversees recognition and supports chapter programming, with awards given annually for outstanding efforts in areas like . Campus traditions emphasize school spirit and social rituals, including the Kissing Rock, a installed in 1898 near the Olmsted entrance, where holds that couples kissing there secure lifelong marital fortune. features football games, window painting by student groups, parades, and the crowning of a and queen, with historical elements like tug-of-war contests and dances dating to early 20th-century iterations. The Beautiful Bulldog Contest, an annual event selecting a representative from entrants dressed as bulldogs, draws participants and spectators to celebrate the university's athletic symbol. Winter pastimes include "Hubbelling," where students repurpose cafeteria trays for on campus hills, typically paired with gatherings.

Housing, Health Services, and Support Systems

Drake University requires full-time first-year students to reside on campus for two years following high school graduation, with exceptions for those living with parents or guardians within 45 miles, married students, or those out of high school for two or more years. First-year housing primarily consists of double rooms in Carpenter Hall, Crawford Hall, Herriott Hall, or Stalnaker Hall, all equipped with furnished rooms, air conditioning, wireless internet, laundry facilities, and common areas including kitchens and lounges. Upperclassmen have expanded options, including single, double, or triple rooms and four-person suites in Goodwin-Kirk Hall, as well as off-campus alternatives such as Drake West Village apartments, Greek housing, or local rentals after fulfilling the residency requirement. The university offers gender-inclusive housing for returning students via application, allowing roommates regardless of , and provides accommodations for students through coordination with Residence Life staff. Residence halls emphasize and , with policies prohibiting , maintaining quiet hours, and supporting inclusive environments for students identifying as LGBTQIA+. The Drake Student Health Center, located within the Broadlawns Community Clinic at 2970 University Avenue in Des Moines, provides primary care services to full-time students, including basic physical exams, STD testing and treatment, allergy injections, family practice support, and services. Staffed by two medical doctors, one , and one , the center operates by appointment, with walk-ins accommodated as available; students must submit a form prior to the semester to avoid account holds. After-hours care is directed to local clinics or hospitals, such as Broadlawns Medical Center. Mental health support is available through the Student Counseling Center, also at the Broadlawns Drake facility, offering confidential in-person and virtual therapy sessions addressing concerns like stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, , and . Services operate Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the academic year, with reduced hours over breaks; support groups and events supplement individual counseling. Broader support systems include the Office of Disability Services, which coordinates accommodations for students with physical or learning disabilities to ensure equitable access, and the Office of Academic Assistance, providing , workshops, and advising to promote academic success. The Division of oversees orientation, adjustment resources, and referrals for personal growth, while the Student Services Center handles practical needs like ID cards and parking.

Athletics

Program Overview and Conference Affiliations

The Drake Bulldogs athletics program competes at the level, sponsoring 16 varsity sports that include both men's and women's teams. Men's teams encompass baseball, , cross country, football, , soccer, , and indoor and outdoor , while women's teams include , , cross country, , soccer, , , indoor and outdoor , and . The program emphasizes student-athlete academic success, leading the in the NCAA (APR) with multiple perfect scores in recent reports. As a primary member of the (MVC), Drake fields teams in most sports under this affiliation, competing against regional institutions in , , and other disciplines. The MVC, known for competitive balance in Division I athletics, provides the Bulldogs with regular-season and postseason opportunities in conferences like men's and and . Football, however, operates independently in the (PFL), a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference that prohibits athletic scholarships, aligning with Drake's non-scholarship model for the sport. This dual affiliation allows broad competitive participation while maintaining fiscal and philosophical consistency.

Drake Relays and Signature Events

The , an annual outdoor meet, originated on April 23, 1910, initially featuring 82 athletes from Drake University and nearby Des Moines colleges such as , with approximately 100 spectators attending the inaugural event. The event was established to stimulate early-season interest in track among students, as travel to other indoor meets proved challenging. Held each spring at Drake Stadium on the university's campus in , it has grown into a premier international competition, attracting elite professional athletes alongside collegiate and high school participants. By 2025, the three-day event drew over 5,000 competitors and tens of thousands of fans, with Friday's sessions alone recording 16,079 attendees. Drake Stadium, a and horseshoe structure with capacity for 18,500 spectators, has hosted the Relays since its completion in , enhancing the event's prestige with dedicated facilities including a fieldhouse added the following year. The meet features a variety of events, from sprints and distance races to field competitions, often setting multiple records; in 2025, 21 Relays records were broken across the weekend, including seven on the second day alone. As a longstanding tradition, the Drake underscores Drake's commitment to athletics, serving as a cornerstone of its extracurricular offerings and community engagement. Beyond the core competitions, the Relays encompass signature elements such as a health and fitness expo, where in 2025 Drake students contributed to enhanced programming, reflecting the university's integration of academic resources into athletic events. The event's week-long scope includes professional showcases and fan activities, solidifying its status as Drake University's premier athletic spectacle with global draw.

Notable Achievements and Facilities

The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team achieved its greatest national success in 1969, advancing to the NCAA under coach Maury John and finishing third after defeating UCLA 85-82 in the consolation game. The program has recorded eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including three consecutive (MVC) tournament titles from 2023 to 2025, with the 2025 championship secured via a 63-48 win over Bradley. In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Drake earned its first victory since 1971 by upsetting 67-57 in the first round. Drake's track and field program has hosted prestigious national events at its stadium, including the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2008, 2011, and 2012, as well as multiple AAU Junior Olympics from 2009 to 2023. The Bulldogs compete in the MVC for most sports and the Pioneer Football League for football, with the men's basketball team claiming 10 regular-season conference championships historically. Key athletic facilities include the Knapp Center, a 7,157-seat arena opened in 1990 that serves as home for and , featuring an elevated track, four courts, and a 5,800-square-foot area. Drake Stadium, constructed in 1922, houses the renowned Blue Oval track for and soccer events, with a capacity of 12,000. The adjacent Drake Fieldhouse, built in 1926, provides indoor track, a court, and practice spaces. Additional venues encompass the Shivers Practice Facility, Roger Knapp Tennis Center, and Buel Field for and .

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Racial Discrimination in Scholarships

The Crew Scholars Program at Drake University provides financial scholarships, mentorship, and community support to selected incoming undergraduate students, aiming to foster leadership and retention among participants through cohort-based events and campus engagement. Eligibility for the program is restricted to domestic students of color admitted to the university, regardless of major, with applications requiring demonstrated interest in diversity initiatives. On April 22, 2025, the Equal Protection Project, a legal advocacy group opposing race-conscious policies in education, filed a civil rights complaint against Drake University with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. The complaint alleges that the Crew Scholars Program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance. The Equal Protection Project contends that by conditioning scholarship eligibility explicitly on racial identity—excluding white and Asian applicants—the program engages in without a permissible justification under , particularly following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of , which invalidated race-based admissions preferences as incompatible with the . Drake University, as a private institution receiving federal funds such as student aid grants, falls under Title VI's scope, per statutory definitions and precedents like Rowles v. Curators of the . The group requests a full investigation by the Office for Civil Rights, termination of federal if violations are confirmed, and remedial measures to ensure race-neutral eligibility. As of October 2025, the Office for Civil Rights has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and initiated evaluation, but no final determination or resolution has been issued. Drake University has not publicly responded to the allegations in available statements. The complaint represents part of a broader wave of challenges to race-restricted scholarships at U.S. institutions post-2023 Supreme Court decision, with similar actions filed against programs at other universities.

Free Speech and Viewpoint Discrimination Incidents

In April 2016, the Drake University Senate voted 15-3 to deny official recognition to a proposed chapter of (TPUSA), a conservative advocacy organization, citing concerns over the group's "hateful record," posts, and positions on issues such as opposition to abortion. Senators expressed that TPUSA's views were perceived as "against specific groups" and potentially condescending, despite support from some members emphasizing the need for diverse political expression on campus. This denial prevented the group from accessing university funding, reserving campus spaces, or participating in official activities, prompting students to appeal to administrators and plan reapplication the following year. The Student Senate repeated the denial on October 31, 2019, voting 12-6 against TPUSA's second application for registered student organization (RSO) status, again highlighting ideological objections without evidence of procedural noncompliance. Affected students described the decision as suppressing conservative voices, limiting their ability to organize events or secure resources available to other ideological groups. A third rejection occurred in May 2022, when the denied TPUSA recognition for the third time in six years, with members labeling the group's national positions as "harmful," "racist," "transphobic," and "anti-Semitic," and claiming they caused discomfort or fear among students. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression () condemned these actions as unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination, arguing that rejecting a group based on the perceived offensiveness of its ideas—rather than neutral criteria like governance or finances—violates First Amendment principles of free association and expression, especially since university recognition confers tangible benefits. Drake administrators did not intervene or reverse the decisions, despite FIRE's letters urging compliance with free speech policies. Separately, Drake University has maintained designated "free speech zones" restricting student expressive activities, including political speech, to specific campus areas, a policy has criticized as overly narrow and presumptively censoring spontaneous expression elsewhere on grounds. This approach contrasts with the university's stated policy upholding freedom of expression but aligns with broader patterns of limiting non-institutional speech, potentially enabling against dissenting views. No comparable restrictions or denials have been documented for left-leaning organizations, underscoring asymmetries in viewpoint treatment.

DEI Policies and Responses to State Legislation

Drake University maintains a dedicated Office of , which promotes equal opportunities regardless of race, color, , , , , or other protected characteristics, while fostering an environment of inclusion for diverse identities, backgrounds, and ideas. The university's policies emphasize creating a culture that values diversity in , , and campus life, including self-guided DEI learning resources on topics such as understanding race and implicit . In 2024, Drake received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for its efforts in embracing diversity. As a private institution, Drake is not subject to 's DEI Act, which took effect in July 2025 and prohibits public universities from maintaining or funding DEI offices, requiring ideological and political neutrality in certain practices. In response to proposed state legislation targeting DEI initiatives, including bills passed by the House in March 2025 to restrict DEI and elements in higher education, university President Marty Martin reaffirmed Drake's commitment to DEI, stating it aligns with the institution's mission and warning of negative consequences for students from such restrictions on civil protections and state grants. Drake leadership also opposed a February 2025 legislative proposal that prompted nearby Des Moines Area Community College to pause its DEI programs, positioning the university against broader anti-DEI efforts in . Drake has continued DEI-related traditions and support amid state-level scrutiny, such as maintaining the annual #PaintItBlack event celebrating in April 2025, despite legislative opposition to diversity initiatives. The university's DEI policies have faced external , including a federal civil rights complaint filed in April 2025 by the Equal Protection Project alleging race-based preferences in scholarship programs for students of color, which the group claims violate equal protection principles. Additionally, Drake officials expressed support for transgender and nonbinary students following a 2025 state law removing certain civil rights protections for these groups, emphasizing an inclusive campus environment.

Notable People

Distinguished Alumni

Bill Bryson (AS 1977), a prolific author recognized for and travel books including A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) and his memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid (2006), completed his at Drake after initially dropping out. Michael Emerson (FA 1976), an actor who earned for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Benjamin Linus in Lost (2009) and supporting roles in Person of Interest, graduated with a degree in theater from Drake. Zach Johnson (BN 1998), a professional golfer who won the in 2007 and in 2015, along with twelve PGA Tour events, led Drake's men's golf team to multiple NCAA regional appearances and titles during his undergraduate career.

Prominent Faculty and Administrators

Earl F. “Marty” Martin has served as the 13th president of Drake University since July 2015, overseeing academic administration with an emphasis on student success, liberal arts education, equity and inclusion initiatives, and community partnerships. Prior to Drake, Martin held executive roles at Gonzaga University, including executive vice president. Sue Mattison, appointed provost and chief academic officer in 2016, holds a PhD in and maintains tenure as a in the of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, contributing to curriculum development and faculty oversight across disciplines. Among faculty, Jerry L. Anderson, the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished of Law, joined Drake in 1991 and served as dean of the from 2016 to 2024; he was elected to the in 2020 and received the Leland Forrest Outstanding award twice for his expertise in , property, and . Natalie Lynner was named Dwight D. Opperman in 2024, recognized for her record of teaching excellence, service on key university committees including the and Tenure & Promotions, and scholarly publications in law reviews such as Fordham, Cardozo, , Baylor, and UCLA, specializing in estates and trusts. Miguel Schor holds the Class of 1977 Distinguished Scholar designation since 2024, noted for his contributions to scholarship as Associate Director of the Constitutional Law Center; his work includes co-editing a on comparative constitutional theory and publications addressing political-constitutional challenges, with forthcoming essays in volumes.

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  152. https://www.drake.edu/parents-families/2022-23familynewsletters/aprilnewsletter/drakerelays/
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  155. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/TB/1450788.pdf
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  161. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/sports/local-sports/drake-bulldogs/drake-bulldogs-march-madness-history-western-kentucky-final-four-miami-dolph-pulliam/524-8680bc9a-e324-4a65-8c5d-6a38fa89cbc4
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  195. https://www.businessrecord.com/the-world-according-to-new-drake-president-marty-martin/
  196. https://news.drake.edu/2020/07/21/drake-law-dean-jerry-anderson-elected-to-the-prestigious-american-law-institute/
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  198. https://news.drake.edu/2024/04/16/drake-law-professors-earn-esteemed-professorship-designations/
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