Student Organizations

Lambda Alpha

Lambda Alpha is the national collegiate honors society for anthropology. The local chapter is open to all students at Drake University. An invitation for membership is extended to students meeting all of the following requirements.

1. An anthropology major or minor 
2. An ANTH GPA of 3.0 or better
3. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
4. Minimum of 12 hours in ANTH courses

Membership in Lambda Alpha not only marks excellence in the study of anthropology, but it also encourages professional development. Indeed, students who participate in Lambda Alpha have an opportunity to meet others with similar goals and interests, are encouraged to publish their original research in the Lambda Alpha Journal, and are eligible for national scholarships awarded by the honors society to promising students.

Upon acceptance of membership, students pay a lifetime membership fee of $25. Subscriptions to the Lambda Alpha Journal may be purchased for $10. Personal checks should be made payable to Drake University and turned in to the anthropology office along with the completed form.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is a national honorary society in sociology. Membership in the local chapter of AKD, the Iowa Beta Chapter, is available to students at Drake. Students need not be sociology majors to join this organization but must be classified as juniors or seniors to apply.

Students meeting the following additional requirements are invited to join:

1. Completion of 15 hours of sociology courses (by end of fall semester)
2. Sociology G.P.A. of at least 3.0
3. Overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and rank in the top 35% of class

AKD membership recognizes overall academic accomplishment and, particularly, performance in sociology courses. This can be the beginning of a professional commitment to sociology on the part of the student or simply and interest in the field and a commitment to academic accomplishment.

Additionally, members will receive certification of their membership in an honor society (a positive factor when assembling resumes or applying for graduate study) and a one-year subscription to the national society's journal, Sociological Inquiry. Membership applications will be distributed in February through the department.

VAAD

Visual Arts Association of Drake (VAAD) is open to all students and is self-directed. Activities have included field trips, attending community lectures and exhibitions, group readings and discussion of various contemporary art topics and organizing campus art activities such as end-of-the-year picnics and art exhibitions in local businesses.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Affiliate Network (UAN-ASBMB)

This student organization specifically dedicated to biochemistry and molecular biology promotes scholarship, research and volunteerism. Members tutor, reach out to local high schools, and sponsor campus activities. It’s one of the largest in the nation and we regularly place members in the highly select UAN-ASBMB Honor Society (ΧΩΛ).

Beta Beta Beta

The purpose of Beta Beta Beta is to function as an honor and professional society for students of the biological sciences.

Its activities are designed to stimulate student interest, scholarly attainment, and investigation in the biological sciences and to promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations among students in the life sciences.

Drake University's chapter of BBB, Gamma Rho, initiates new members every spring. Eligible students will be contacted by the department. Members elect officers to serve as President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Historian.

For more information on Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society please contact Dr. Nanci Ross, Faculty Advisor.

Phi Delta Epsilon

The IA Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon (Phi-D-E) was established at Drake University in 2013 to help Drake students make the transition from their undergraduate curricula to medical schools. The chapter meets bimonthly. Meetings often involve guest speakers and cover a range of topics from resume building to studying (for Drake classes and entrance exams such as the MCAT), and how and when to apply to medical schools.

For more information, please contact the faculty advisor, Dr. Gholam Mirafzal.

Pre-Medical Club

The mission of the Pre-Medical Club is to promote professional and social interaction between all undergraduate premedical students, faculty, and community members in the medical field thereby offering mentoring services, as well as professional, social, leadership, and service opportunities. The student Pre-Medical Club works alongside a faculty Pre-Medical Committee.

Past activities include: senior panel, bone marrow donor drive, medical student information panel. Future plans include mentor program, service project through Peace Corps in Africa, and social events.

The benefits of joining include:

• Opportunity to interact with faculty and students that allows your questions to be answered and get pointed in the right direction
• Access to current medical school information pamphlets and booklets and advice for studying the MCAT
• Outside resources when looking for a job, volunteer opportunities, or shadowing experiences with doctors
• Information on: M.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O., P.A. schools
• Volunteer and job shadowing contacts

For more information on the Drake Premedical Organization, contact the Committee Chair, Dr. Gholam Mirafzal, or email premed@drake.edu.

Women in Math & Computer Science (WIMACs)

Women in Math & Computer Science (WiMaCS) is committed to connecting Drake Students interested and/or majoring in Math and/or Computer Science or related fields. The meetings facilitate networking between members and faculty. Through volunteering, the group aims to share its passion with younger girls in STEM. WiMaCS hosts guest speakers related to employment, internships, and research experience. Meetings usually occur on Fridays before the Math & Computer Science Department research groups so members can attend with fellow Women in Math & Computer Science.

Drake Math & Problem Solving Group

The Drake problem solving group meets weekly to learn and practice problem-solving techniques in a variety of problems. In addition to working on problems to prepare for the annual Putnam Exam and Iowa Math Competition, we also have worked on current research questions from the math and computer science faculty.

Drake Programming Group

Are you interested in testing your programming skills against other computer science students? The Drake  programming group sharpens their programming skills and then competes in the annual Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) programming contest. The group meets before the contest event at a professors home to practice the format of the programming contest.

Peer Tutoring

The Math Tutoring Lab is staffed by Drake students for students studying math or computer science.  Students interested in this paid position should contact Professor Terrance Pendleton. 

Periphery

Periphery is Drake’s art and literary journal, published annually in sprig. It is sponsored and funded by the Student Activities Board (SAB), and edited and staffed entirely by students (there is a faculty adviser). All Drake students are welcome to submit poetry, fiction, essays, or art for consideration. Calls for submission will be posted here, on walls around campus, and via email. The editors recruit guest judges—usually professional writers not associated with Drake—to review final copy and award prizes for poetry, fiction, and art. 

Sigma Tau Delta

Drake’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, is one of the oldest in the nation. It currently has 60 active members. Chapter members have the opportunity to share their love of literature and linguistics with like-minded peers, participate in rewarding activities, and be recognized for their accomplishments. They may also apply, or in some cases instantly qualify, for one or more of the Society’s numerous awards and scholarships.

Drake's Nu Alpha chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, invites new members each spring. To be eligible for membership in Sigma Tau Delta, a student must have completed a minimum of two English courses at Drake; must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in English coursework; must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in overall college coursework; and must have completed at least three semesters. Student do not need to be English or Writing majors to be eligible for membership.

For more information about membership in Sigma Tau Delta, please contact the faculty sponsor, Elisabeth West. 

Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL)

DEAL is a committed group of students increasing awareness and sustainability on Drake's campus, in the community and beyond.

Learn more about DEAL and their events by visiting their Facebook page.

Outdoor Leadership Club

Think Iowa is all cornfields and beans? Think again. The Drake Outdoor Leadership Club provides students with opportunities to experience the wilder side of Iowa and surrounding states, with outings include rock climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping. Don't worry if you're a beginner or don't have gear, as the club is for students with all levels of experience and uses ENSP tents and equipment for many of their outings. For more information, contact the Club's academic advisor, Tom Rosburg or connect with the club on Facebook.

Epsilon Eta

Epsilon Eta is the environmental science professional fraternity on campus. This organization provides students, professional, service and social opportunities relating to environmental science.

LPS Student Advisory Board (LPS SAB)

The LPS SAB gives students an opportunity to be more involved with the life of the department. Board members organize events, publish the LPS newsletter, meet with prospective students, engage with alumni, and collaborate with faculty on department development. 

Delta Theta Phi 

Delta Theta Phi is a professional fraternity that unites Drake students who have an interest in working in the legal profession. This organization is open to all majors, with a focus on preparing those students planning to attend law school in the future. As an organization on campus we provide valuable information and networking opportunities to our members through our partnerships with Kaplan and Drake Law School as well as other Law Schools in the Midwest.

Mock Trial

Drake Mock Trial is a student-run organization that participates in competitive nation-wide trial simulations.  Despite its legal connotations, Mock Trial is open to students from all backgrounds and areas of study.  No prior experience is required, and members are drawn from Humanities, STEM, Business, and Fine Arts alike.  Members learn public speaking, analytical thought, and legal procedure.  There are also leadership positions open to those willing to step up to the challenge.

Email: mocktrialdrake@gmail.com 

Student Senate

The Drake University Student Senate works directly with faculty and administration to ensure the voices of students are heard on campus. Involvement in the senate not only allows you to represent your fellow students, but also provides hands-on leadership experience and the chance to have an impact on student life at Drake.

Multicultural Student Organizations

Unity Roundtable is comprised of the following organizations:

• African & Caribbean Student Association (ACSA)
• Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)
• Coalition of Black Students (CBS)
• Disability Action Awareness Community (DAAC)
• Hillel
• Interfaith at Drake
• International Student Association (ISA)
• Intervarsity (IV)
• La Fuerza Latina (LFL)
• Malaysian Student Association (MASA)
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• Rainbow Union (RU)
• South Asian Student Association (SASA)
• Student Activists for Gender Equity (SAGE)

Ron and Jane Olson Center for Public Democracy

Intentional programming and initiatives shape the learning experiences of the Public Democracy Scholars and other Drake students with an interest in politics, community leadership, public service, law, policy, or social change.

 

Harkin Institute

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement is located at Drake University and serves as a venue and catalyst for dynamic non-partisan research, learning, and outreach to promote understanding of the policy issues to which Senator Tom Harkin devoted his career.

Vote Smart

Vote Smart's mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to ALL Americans.

Principal Center for Global Citizenship

The Principal Center for Global Citizenship works to ensure global perspectives and concepts are an integral part of the intellectual and cultural experience of all members of the Drake community.

The Center provides development resources for both students and faculty, and funds programs such as the Global Scholar/Practitioner in Residence.

The Center is supported by Principal.

Office of Community Engaged Learning and Service

The mission of the Office of Community Engaged Learning is to develop and encourage changemakers who know themselves, understand the complexities of the world they live in, and take creative action to solve problems. 

 

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929, with Drake University being one of 21 initial signatories. Psi Chi's goal is to encourage and promote the science of psychology by providing stimulating intellectual environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Psychology majors or minors are eligible to apply for Psi Chi membership if they have:

• Completed three semesters of college coursework
• Completed nine semester hours of psychology courses
• A G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in psychology and in cumulative grades

Application forms are available in Psychology Department office (Olin 318).

Drake Psi Chi maintains a website and a Facebook group that contain information about deadlines for application and current Psi Chi activities.

Psychology Club

Psychology Club is a sister organization for students who are interested in Psi Chi but are not yet eligible to join. Visit the Drake Psi Chi website if you are interested in joining Psychology Club.

Rainbow Union (RU)

Rainbow Union is Drake University’s LGBTQIA+ undergraduate student organization, open to all LGBTQ+ students and allies. Rainbow Union’s main event each semester is the drag show, which is an opportunity to support student performers as well as local drag performers. The drag show is held as a charity fundraiser, and in the past Rainbow Union has raised money for One Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools. Rainbow Union invites ALL students to join and participate in our weekly meetings and makes no assumptions about a person’s sexuality in our safe space.

Rainbow Union meets on Wednesday nights at 8:00pm in CAYA House at 1153 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50311. For more information, contact rainbowunion@drake.edu or @drake.rainbow.union on Instagram.

The United Feminist Front (TUFF)

The United Feminist front advocates for equality and equity through feminist activism, and community building. TUFF meets in the Johanssen Center room 108 Thursdays at 5:00. You can follow TUFF on Instagram.  Please fill out this interest form for more information. on TUFF and the upcoming events they have planned.

The Student for Reproductice Justice

Students for Reproductive Justice is a group of like-minded individuals who are passionate about reproductive justice. We discuss many topics including abortion, contraceptives, sexual healthcare, women's rights, LGBTQ+, sexual matters, and more. You can follow Students for Reproductive Justice on Instagram for information on meetings and events.