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�ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� and Drake University go way back together. How far? Basically, to the very beginning of the school district. Hill M. Bell, the president of Drake at the time, was a leading advocate for the merger of neighboring school districts in order to establish the Des Moines Independent Community School District. As he said back in 1907: “It is certainly futile to think of a great city here if one portion of it selfishly ignores another portion; and I submit to you that selfishness is the only consideration that would permit the people of any district to use their influence against consolidation and a Greater Des Moines school system.”

So began a symbiotic relationship that’s ongoing and has taken many forms over many years. Fast forward a century or so, and the relationship between the two capital city educational institutions has taken many forms, both big and small. This new �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� and Drake University venue – Mediacom Stadium – is one more piece in our relationship to benefit students.

Other recent examples include:

• �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� and Drake created a MSE in Culturally Responsive Leadership, a degree specifically designed for Des Moines teachers.
• Drake University’s Knapp Center hosts the Unified Sports Games, a partnership between �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� and Special Olympics for disabled and non-disabled students to compete together.
• For more than a dozen years, Drake Stadium has been “home field” for the Roosevelt Roughriders football team.
• �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф����, Drake, DMACC formed the 3D Coalition to identify, education and hire more minority teachers.
• Drake’s School of Education has been a key partner in the work at �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф����, supported by the Wallace Foundation, to develop school principal leadership.
• An entrepreneurship program established between Drake and Hoover High School’s STEM Academy fosters students’ business skills.
• Drake, Principal Financial Group (PFG), �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф����, and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines implemented a pilot program called the STEM Pathway Initiative to help low-income students with education and careers.
• The Wanda Everage Academic Success Symposium, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance Company and the Drake University School of Education, works with students of color to plan for college.
• Drake Bulldogs regularly show their support for neighborhood schools, from joining in “clap ins” on the first day of class to being mentors and reading buddies.
• Drake’s School of Education, with support from Nationwide Insurance, established the Griffin Academy, an after-school program focusing on STEM and the fine arts at McCombs Middle School and Studebaker Elementary School.
• Drake education majors serve as tutors, working with students at �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� elementary schools.
• Drake’s Harmon Fine Arts Center has played host to programs sponsored by Movement 515 at �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф����, from poetry slams to its annual Teen Summit.
• The new Boys and Girls Club at Drake University provides programs and services for many �ܼ��ž�ѡ��Ф���� students.