Drake University

From Free net encyclopedia

Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. The school offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as some professional programs in areas such as law and pharmacy.

The university's law school was established in 1881 by Chester C. Cole[1], who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1864 to 1876. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country. Distinguished alumni include Dwight D. Opperman, former CEO of West Publishing Company, after whom Drake's law library was named.

The Constitutional Law Center is one of four constitutional law programs established by the United States Congress. The Center's mission is to foster in-depth study of the United States Constitution. A significant aspect of the Center's activities is the Dwight D. Opperman Lecture series, an annual event of national importance in constitutional law. Numerous current and former United States Supreme Court Justices have delivered the Opperman Lecture, including Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, and late Justices Harry A. Blackmun, Lewis F. Powell and William H. Rehnquist.

Drake University also hosts the Drake Relays during April. This track and field event has been held since 1910. Participants come from throughout the Midwest to compete in this three-day event which also helps to draw large crowds of spectators to Des Moines.

The University recently approved a new Master building plan on June 25, 2005. The plan calls for extensive renovations of existing facilities, and the construction of several large buildings, including a new freshman dorm, science building, new fine arts building, and a new multi-purpose learning center.

Drake News

A Drake alumna, Peggy Fisher class of 1970, and her husband, Larry Stelter, have donated $500,000 to aid in the construction of a "plaza and archway on 28th Street" west of Drake Stadium and just north of Forest Avenue in Des Moines (source: [2]).

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