MEDIA ADVISORY
Oct. 1, 2002

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

LARGEST FUND DRIVE BY A PRIVATE IOWA COLLEGE
DRAKE TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF $190 MILLION CAMPAIGN

Drake University has surpassed the $190 million goal of Campaign Drake and will celebrate the success of the University's biggest fundraising effort with special events on Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5.

Led by national chair Madelyn M. Levitt, Campaign Drake has raised $190,214,631 – the largest amount of money ever raised in the history of Drake University. Campaign Drake, which ended May 31, is the largest fund drive ever undertaken by a private college or university in Iowa.

A private reception and dinner honoring top donors will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue.

A full day of celebratory activities open to the entire community will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, in conjunction with Drake's homecoming football game. The capstone Campaign Drake event will feature a barbecue dinner, hot air balloon rides, inflatable games and a concert by The Nadas from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Drake Knapp Center, 27th and Forest Avenue.

Other special events of the day are:

• A tailgate party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. under a tent on Forest Avenue across from Drake Stadium. The cost is $6.50 per person.
  
  
• A dedication ceremony for Branson Plaza, which is adjacent to Hubbell Dining Hall, at 11:45 a.m. The plaza, a Campaign Drake project, is named in memory of Scott Branson, a Drake student who died in 2001 while trying to break up a fight near campus.
  
  
• The Drake homecoming football game between the Bulldogs and Valparaiso at 1 p.m. in Drake Stadium. Tickets are $7 for adults and children 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.