Drake University

In appreciation of National LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we celebrate and appreciate the creativity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community—at Drake, in lowa, and throughout the world. 💙🏳️‍🌈

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog! 🐶 Class of 2026, you’ll always have a home at DrakeU 💙

Today, we honor the brave individuals who have served our country, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. At Drake University, we are proud to have many military-affiliated members in our Bulldog community. Thank you; you are an inspiration to us all 🤍

There are many things that make Drake University one of a kind—tradition, community, and a mascot who showed up with heart every single time. Griff II, thank you for representing Drake with pride through the biggest moments and the quiet ones in between. You brought energy, comfort, and a sense of home to so many Bulldogs. Retirement looks good on you, legend. Griff III has big shoes to fill, but we know he’ll be amazing.

The newly released 2025 Economic and Community Impact Report shows Drake’s role as both a center of academic excellence and a driver of prosperity across Des Moines and statewide.

What that looks like in our communities:
🫶 246,382 annual hours of volunteering, community service, and pro-bono client engagements
🧾 $12.6M in annual tax revenue for the City of Des Moines
💰 $10.8M in annual tax revenue for the State of Iowa
📚 $9.8M supporting the Des Moines School District
🤝 $4.5M supporting Polk County services
🏡 57% of graduates staying in Iowa - creating a net "brain gain" for our state

This report reinforces what we see every day: Drake strengthens communities by investing in people, partnerships, and public good. 🐶

➡️ https://bit.ly/3RrmZYb

Bulldogs, you did it. —every project, every performance, every practice, every paper, every pivot led you to this moment. Take pride in how far you’ve come, and step confidently into what’s ahead.

Congratulations on an unforgettable journey at Drake! 🎓