Parents and Family Weekend

Parent and Family Weekend will be October 3-5, 2025. We are still working on schedule for the weekend, below you can find schedule from 2024.

Once a year we welcome our extended Bulldog family to come get a taste of life at Drake. It’s your chance to show off your university and let your family experience everything from athletics to arts, all in one weekend.

Friday, September 27  

• Beautiful Land: Paintings by Kim Uchiyama and Ken Buhler - Anderson Gallery is open 12:00-4:00pm Friday – Sunday.
• Zimpleman College of Business Habit Hacks and Stress Busters- 2-3 p.m. in Aliber 112 - As we finish the first month of the fall semester, you might find yourself wondering if there are habits you could change that would make life a little easier. Lauren McCarthy, senior advising specialist, Gabe Howard, Zimpleman College of Business student intern, and Jenny Jones, assistant dean of student achievement, will share how to create habits that will help you beat stress and be successful this fall. Afterwards, join us for ice cream sandwiches on the Aliber Hall patio from 3-4 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend one or both events!
• Family Fun Night with Student Activities Board - 5-7pm - Grab the fam and head on over for a night of laughs, bites, and fun! From 5-7pm, on Helmick Commons, SAB is throwing the ultimate Family Night bash, featuring delicious BBQ, epic yard games, and quirky caricature drawings that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear. We can't wait to see you and make memories together! 
• Drake Women’s Volleyball vs. Missouri State – 6:00pm, Knapp Center
  • Click here to purchase tickets
  • Promo Code is: FAMILY24 (Needs to be in all caps)
  • Students will need to claim their tickets on a game-to-game basis by logging in this website using their student email address for their free ticket to the game. Ticket will then be emailed to them and can be put into their Apple or Google Wallet for entry.
• Civic Music Association Presents: Lotus Saxophone Quartet - 7:30 p.m., Sheslow Auditorium, Click here for tickets.
• Free Movie Friday - 8:00pm in Sussman Theater

Saturday, September 28

• President Martin Address - 9:00am, Parents Hall in Olmsted Center
• Parent and Family Coffee Social hosted by Drake's Parent & Family Advisory Council - 9:30am - 10:00am, Parents Hall in Olmsted Center
• Check-in - 10:00am – 12:00pm, Olmsted Breezeway, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
  • Pick up your Bulldog walk/run t-shirt (Fun Run/Walk is sold out)
• Little Free Pantries Donations, collections will be accepted between 10am - 12pm
  • Our live mascot, Griff II, is partnering with the Parent Advisory Council over Family Weekend on September 28 to collect non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to benefit the Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood. Stop by the Olmsted Center to make a contribution to this cause and to see Griff II! Griff II will be present between 11:00 - 11:45am. 
• Drake Neighborhood History & Architectural Walking Tour, presented by the Drake Neighborhood Association – 9:30am and 10:30am - meet at Bulldog Plaza on the front lawn of Old Main
  • Come on this walking tour to learn the history and architecture of the oldest portions of the Drake neighborhood. Presented by the Drake Neighborhood Association, participants will walk roughly one-mile starting at the Bulldog Plaza in the front lawn of Old Main, heading south, around Drake Park, and ending in Dogtown at 25^thand University Avenue. Discover the indigenous history of the area, the first frat houses at Drake, the start of a salad dressing empire, a growth in culture and diversity, and the values and ascetics holding it all together. Bridging the past to the present, hear directly from neighbors about what is happening now and what they are excited about for the future of our vibrant Drake neighborhood!  
• Drake Campus Tour – tours offered at 9:30am and 10:30am - meet in Olmsted Breezeway
  • Join members of Drake’s University Advancement staff for a walking tour of campus. During the tour attendees will learn the rich history of campus and surrounding neighborhood as well as the numerous ways both have changed over the years. This tour will also include a look to the future, highlighting significant campus and neighborhood development projects that have been recently completed and are slated to begin.
• Breakout Session Options: Sessions offered at 10:30am and 11:00am.
  • Career Exploration for your Student(s) - Parents Hall South, Amanda Wroblewski, Assistant Director of Career Services
    • Career development begins the first year of college and builds with each internship, research study, service project or part-time job. With satellite locations across campus, PCDS is tailored to Drake’s individual colleges and schools to help students define their career aspirations and reach their professional goals.  
  • Study Abroad, Committing to Drake’s Mission to Prepare Students for Responsible Global Citizenship – Upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 310 - 311, Chelsea Funk, Assistant ‪Director of Education Abroad
    • Study Abroad is an important part of the Drake experience and one way we are delivering on Drake’s mission statement – preparing students for responsible global citizenship.In an increasingly interconnected world, a global mindset is more important than ever as students enter the workforce. Through diverse program and location options, varied course offerings to keep students on track for graduation, and a desire to make study abroad as affordable as a semester on campus, we hope all Drake students expand their worldview by studying abroad. We are here to help you along this journey. Attend to learn about programs, finances, timelines and more.
  • Supporting Your Student's Mental Health - Upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 312 - 313, John Rodrick, Therapist, Broadlawns Student Counseling Center
    • Join this session to learn more about the counseling center, potential stressors impacting your student's mental health, and ways to support them.
• Drake Legacy Photo, 12:00pm, Agora
  • If you are a Drake Alumni, please grab your student and join us for a Drake Legacy Photo at 12:00pm on the Agora, Helmick Commons.
• Drake’s Tailgate Cookout, -11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hubbell Dining Hall
  • Click here to let us know you plan on attending lunch
  • Lunch will be held at Hubbell Dining Hall for $8.25 per person. Payment will be taken upon arrival by cash or credit card. If students have a meal plan, they will not need purchase a meal.
• Drake Football v. San Diego, 12:00 p.m., Drake Stadium
  • Click here to purchase tickets
  • Promo Code is: FAMILY24 (Needs to be in all caps)
  • Students will need to claim their tickets on a game-to-game basis by logging in this website using their student email address for their free ticket to the game. Ticket will then be emailed to them and can be put into their Apple or Google Wallet for entry.
• Beautiful Land: Paintings by Kim Uchiyama and Ken Buhler - Anderson Gallery is open 12:00-4:00pm Friday – Sunday.
• Drake Women’s Volleyball vs. Southern Illinois – 5:00pm, Knapp Center
  • Click here to purchase tickets
  • Promo Code is: FAMILY24 (Needs to be in all caps)
  • Students will need to claim their tickets on a game-to-game basis by logging in this website using their student email address for their free ticket to the game. Ticket will then be emailed to them and can be put into their Apple or Google Wallet for entry.
• Sweetheart Sing - 6pm – 8pm, Sheslow Auditorium
  • Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the door. 

Sunday, September 29

• Bulldog Run/Walk (Drake’s 5k or one-mile fun run/walk around campus!) - 8:30am, check-in at north side entrance of the Olmsted Center.
  • Races will start at 9am!
• Beautiful Land: Paintings by Kim Uchiyama and Ken Buhler - Anderson Gallery is open 12:00-4:00pm Friday – Sunday.
• Women’s Soccer vs. Illinois State, 1pm, Mediacom Stadium
• Masterclass: Ilia Radoslavov, Professor of Music, Illinois Wesleyan University, 4:00 p.m., Sheslow Auditorium; part of the Keys to Excellence Piano Series. For more information contact Professor Nicholas Roth at nicholas.roth@drake.edu.