The Center for the Humanities encourages faculty, students and interdisciplinary programs to invite to the Drake campus noted scholars who are engaged in research and teaching in the humanities. Invited speakers are expected to address a humanistic issue or to apply a humanistic approach to a particular problem or issue. Applications that propose speakers whose topics relate to or augment current or ongoing programs in the humanities curriculum, or whose invited speakers are part of Humanities Center-sponsored working groups, small conferences and the like, will be given preference.

When potential speakers demand large fees, applicants will be expected to secure supplemental funding from other campus or community sources. The amount made available to any invited speaker is to be determined by the board of the humanities center and may vary from year to year based on currently available funds.