Grace Wenzel

Three interesting things about Grace:

• I have a great-great-great (continue that on for a while) uncle that came over on the Mayflower!
• I’m a PBS Masterpiece fan girl. You can always talk to me about Downton Abbey, Poldark, Durrells in Corfu, and so many more. I find the accents soothing.
• During the summers, I volunteer with a youth leadership organization called HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership). If you’re a HOBY alum or know someone involved in the program, let’s connect!

Why do you love Drake?

As a Drake grad from 2015, what I love is that the Drake experience stays the same year over year. As an institution, we’re always pushing ourselves to meet the needs of our students and challenge ourselves to continue Drake’s reputation of being a thought-leader in our community. But, the small class sizes, the personal attention that our students receive, and the access to internships, research and jobs in Des Moines are all ingredients in our secret sauce that will always make Drake a special place!

What is your favorite thing to do in Des Moines?

My dog Bette, named after Bette Davis, and I love going on walks downtown Des Moines and experiencing all of the festivals that happen in the Western Gateway neighborhood. Bette’s favorite is the World Food and Music Festival because she gobbles up the crumbs left on the ground from all the visitors.

What is your advice to prospective students?

Apply anyway! I’m a fan of having options, so I suggest applying to as many schools as you can. Having a good pool of options helps you and your support system make comparisons, find common questions, and have a larger pool to find where you want to spend the next years in your educational career.