Creating the Drake Advantage

With launch of the campaign, Drake sets its sights on being a national leader in higher education.

When Josh Young, BN’10, graduated from Drake, he took with him more than his status as the University’s career leading scorer and offers to play pro basketball overseas. Rather, he left with valuable leadership skills and an understanding of the importance of giving back to the community.

“The Athletics staff takes a holistic view of developing young men and women as students and leaders,” Young says. “Drake teaches young people to excel on the court and also in life.”

Anyone can be a philanthropist. It’s not about a dollar amount; it’s about having the passion for something larger than yourself and a shared sense of responsibility. Philanthropy transforms lives and communities. I support many charities, but my first love is Drake. Why? Because Drake University changed my life.

“The inability to read affects every area of a person’s life,” says Anne Murr, coordinator of the Drake University Adult Literacy Center. “However, this is a minority that doesn’t speak out.”

A $5 million renovation has transformed vacant, outdated rooms on the north side of Hubbell Dining Hall into a contemporary student gathering place offering opportunities for dining, socializing and recreation.

Taking into consideration the University’s commitment to become as “green” as possible, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles were applied during construction. The 18,500-square-foot renovated space contains high-recycled content in building materials and furnishings, which were selected to reflect the look of the original dining hall designed by Eero Saarinen, renowned architect of the St. Louis Gateway Arch.