Welcome to Drake University

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Old Main

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Drake University! You're currently in front of Old Main, the original building on Drake's campus. Today it is home to Drake's administrative offices, but students flock here to Instagram their picture under Old Main's arch, perch on the nearby Drake University sign (just like Drake the Rapper did), or follow Drake tradition and kiss their sweetheart by moonlight at the Kissing Rock in the front lawn. As you virtually tour Drake, we challenge you to spot our live Bulldog mascot, Griff, in over 20 scenes on campus. Griff is waiting for you to begin your tour in front of Old Main! To make the most of your virtual tour: -You can click on the forward facing arrow to start walking around Drake. -You can jump to the next stop on campus by clicking on the "Next" button. -Or, if you already know where you want to go, you can select any location by using the list OR by clicking directly on the map. -Lastly, remember that you can explore any location at Drake in further detail by clicking on the photos, video, or 360 icons.

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Cowles Library

Tour stop audio transcript

Cowles Library is the largest private academic library in Iowa. It provides free academic tutoring, newly refurbished study spaces, and a café. The archival vault stores historic documents found only at Drake, such as the political papers of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, and the extensive online database gives students access to over 30,000 books and 28,000 journals. Certain areas of the library remain open 24 hours a day, which guarantees that students will always have a place to study. In addition, the Opperman Law Library-- located inside Drake's Law School-- provides another study space and research area on campus.

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Student Life

Painted Street is a section of concrete on campus about the size of a small street where campus organizations can paint small sections of the street. These paintings all fall under a common theme (Life in the Fast Lane was this year's) and show the organization's title as well as original artwork by organization members. There are multiple students walking along this street. To one side is Jewett Hall and Cowles Library is on the other.

Tour stop audio transcript

This is the iconic Painted Street, which runs down the middle of Drake's campus. Painting the street each year is Drake's largest student tradition and always turns into a giant student body paint fight!! The resulting mural is a representation of just some of Drake's 160 student clubs and organizations. A short walk away from the Painted Street is the Olmsted Student Center and Helmick Commons, where students gather day and night to hangout. In Olmsted, you may see a band or comedian on Pomerantz stage, watch a movie in Sussman theatre, or grab a coffee or smoothie with friends.

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School of Journalism and Mass Communication

This is the Innovation Studio in the Meredith Building. It is mostly a study space, with tables and chairs set up along its four walls. The furniture includes purple armchairs, a high table, computer desks, and end tables by the chairs. On the far side of the room is the normal printer as well as the 3D printer. Griff is sitting in an armchair, getting scratches from a female student sitting in the next chair.

Tour stop audio transcript

Meredith Hall houses the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Pappajohn Innovation Studio, and the history, politics and language departments. The award-winning School of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of only 16 accredited private journalism schools in the nation. The building is named after Drake's partner Meredith Corporation, an international media company and premier internship site based in Des Moines. Students have access to computer labs with the latest software; recently remodeled audio and video facilities; and digital gadgets to experiment with. Students create content for multiple digital platforms, from breaking news to long-form features, and multimedia advertising and public relations campaigns. Informal spaces invite collaboration, and small classrooms inspire engagement.

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Zimpleman College of Business

This is a picture of a workspace in the lower level of Aliber. Several students are working at the tables set up. The news is playing on the wall as well as a screen that is showing real-time financial market news. Griff is wearing a tie and sitting next to an open laptop.

Tour stop audio transcript

Aliber Hall is home to Drake's internationally accredited College of Business and Public Administration and School of Actuarial Science, one of sixteen universities in the country recognized as a Center for Actuarial Excellence. The College is also known for world-class majors in accounting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, economics, and data analytics. The College's Career Center and advanced technologies equip students with the professionalism and technical skills needed to navigate an ever-changing business landscape. Forbes ranked Des Moines the "#1 Best Place for Business and Careers," so Drake's location provides plentiful opportunities for learning, internships, and employment in a variety of industries and business disciplines. While at Drake, business students complete multiple internships, which, combined with our extensive business alumni network and personalized approach to education, sets students up for successful careers immediately upon graduation and for a lifetime.

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The Hubb Dining Hall

A photo from the middle of Hubbell Dining Hall. The green and blue furniture are filled with students enjoying their meals. There are booths, higher tables, and more. Griff is seated at one of the tables.

Tour stop audio transcript

Are you hungry? Hubbell Dining Hall offers an all-you-can-eat buffet covering an extensive menu to meet the diverse dietary needs of Drake's student body. Ask any Drake student and they'll tell you the soft-serve ice cream machine is unrivaled! Drake students can also choose to dine at the neighboring Quad Creek Café, which is set up similar to a food court with extended late-night hours and grab-and-go options, including the always popular buffalo chicken wrap. If on the run, Drake students can use their meal plan to grab a snack from our on-campus convenience store or at one of the on-campus cafés.

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Residence Life

The two beds are set at their highest setting. One bedspread is white with purple and blue designs. The other is black with purple sheets. Under the bed on the left hand side, there is a leather futon set up with two small throw pillows. Under the other are the two dressers with the students' mini fridge in the middle. On top of the fridge is the microwave. A small television sits on top of one of the dressers. On the far side of the beds are the desks. The desk fits comfortably between the student's bed and the farthest wall. On the side closest to the door, both students set up their closets. The window is on the opposite side of the door. One student sits on the futon. Her roommate is sitting at her desk. Griff sits in a small dog bed next to the window.

Tour stop audio transcript

There are eight residence halls at Drake. Carpenter Hall is one of Drake's first-year residence halls, which was designed by Eero Saarinen (who also designed the St. Louis Arch)! Carpenter Hall is located in the Quad Creek Lofts, which is a collection of four neighboring and identical first-year halls. Each one of the first year residence halls offers spacious double, triple, and single rooms. You will find a close-knit community in each residence hall. It is common to see students socializing in the lobby, which has a television, sofas, and study areas, and quickly becomes the "living room" of the hall.

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College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This panorama shows the front entrance to Cline Hall, home to the College of Arts and Sciences. Several students are walking in the background, all in Drake gear. Three students can be seen sitting at a bench and petting Griff.

Tour stop audio transcript

Cline Hall, one of five science buildings connected on campus, is home to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The Cline Atrium is a comfortable place for students to study and collaborate. Classrooms feature state-of-the-art technology that allows 3D modeling, and labs simulate the clinical skills students are learning in their classes prior to real life application. Students in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences receive experiential learning opportunities on day 1 and are trained for a variety of health professions including pharmacy, occupational therapy, athletic training, medicine, and many more. Students consistently have high job and residency placement and earn prestigious national awards due to the emphasis on leadership and professional development in the college.

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School of Education

At the front of the classroom, a teacher is writing on the large whiteboard. There are two televisions on opposite sides of the board and both are showing a PowerPoint slide. The desks are arranged in a large

Tour stop audio transcript

Opened in 2017, Collier-Scripps Hall houses the School of Education as well as the department of mathematics and computer science. The first floor has a Curriculum Library that holds over 1,000 works of K-12 literature, which helps education students prepare for student teaching. There are no theatre-style lecture halls in Collier-Scripps! All classrooms are designed for small classes and interaction with the professor and other students. Inside, you will find that the classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. Outside of Collier-Scripps is the Ray Promenade, which features an outdoor classroom, gathering spaces, and a performance venue.

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STEM@Drake Complex

This classroom doubles as a lab. Along one wall is a massive machine with students huddles around its glass windows, watching an experiment. Along the opposite wall is a long tabletop with cabinets underneath. There are several pieces of equipment along the counter. In the middle of the room is a large table with notebooks and more equipment strewn around the top. Three students are looking at a notebook across the table.

Tour stop audio transcript

Drake University's recent $52 million STEM@Drake initiative has resulted in the completion of two new buildings: the Science Connector Building and Collier-Scripps Hall. Opened in 2017, the new Science Connector Building emphasizes teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, which is a more reflection of how a professional workspaces function. Each level has private collaboration stations and small classrooms, and labs are arranged in a spoke and wheel formation, encouraging different labs to work together when tackling scientific problems. With the design of the Science Connector Building, whether it is in a laboratory experience or undergraduate research, students have the necessary resources and access to conduct biomedical experiments with faculty in areas like molecular biology, biomedicine, biochemistry, genetics and kinesiology. Some of the coolest features include an indoor running track for movement studies, a virtual cadaver lab, and a rooftop astronomy deck.

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Drake Relays

A shot of the empty yet vibrant Drake Stadium. The camera is in the middle of the field, showing a clear view of the artwork on the field and the stands. Griff is sitting next to the camera wearing a Drake jersey.

Tour stop audio transcript

Historic Drake Stadium is the home to the Drake football, Drake Track and Field, and America's Athletic Classic: The Drake Relays. The Drake Relays is the second largest track and field meet in the country, bringing high school, college, and Olympic athletes together to compete on Drake's famous Blue Oval each April. This prestigious track-and-field event is Drake's homecoming, with activities and traditions throughout the week including Street Painting, free concerts, and the famous Most Beautiful Bulldog Competition.

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Athletics and Recreation

A 360 shot from the middle of the Knapp Center basketball court. Griff can be seen wearing a jersey and sitting next to a basketball and volleyball.

Tour stop audio transcript

The Knapp Center is Drake's indoor arena. With 7,000 seats, the Knapp Center is the perfect place to cheer on the Bulldogs for one of Drake's Division I basketball or volleyball games. You may also find yourself in the Knapp Center to attend the prestigious Bucksbaum Lecture. Past speakers include President Jimmy Carter, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Tim Gunn, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Adjacent to the Knapp Center is the Bell Center, which houses Drake's student recreational services and is a hub for over 25 intramural sports offered each year. Facilities include basketball and racquetball courts, a fitness center, and weight rooms.

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Harmon Fine Arts Center

The camera is situated in the middle of the jazz band while it is performing. Around a dozen students are playing their brass or wind instruments. Griff, lifted by the actual conductor, is

Tour stop audio transcript

The Harmon Fine Arts Center – fondly known as "FAC" – is home to the art, theater, and music departments. FAC houses the Turner Jazz Center which offers an intimate club-style setting for jazz performances, and a state-of-the-art recording system. FAC also houses the 460-seat Performing Arts Hall, where each year Drake students perform an opera, a musical, and many plays and musical performances, and Drake's own art museum, the Anderson Gallery. Students from every major on campus participate in music ensembles, theatre productions, art gallery shows.

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Sheslow Auditorium

In front of the camera is a large sundial sculpture with flowers and landscaping around it. There is a ledge around the gardening where Griff is seated. The big, brown brick building opposite of the sundial is the Fine Arts Center. The red brick building to the left is Old Main. The other closest building is the Law Building.

Tour stop audio transcript

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sheslow Auditorium features a 775 seat auditorium surrounded by more than 50 stained glass windows. Sheslow is the premier venue for Drake student instrumental and vocal performances, plus guests musicians, noted speakers, and most famously: national politicians. While our hometown of Des Moines is the state capital, Drake's campus is known as the capital of the Iowa Caucuses and is a nationally recognized political hub of activity. Students have the opportunity to be involved in politics, not stand on the sidelines behind a velvet rope. Live from Sheslow Auditorium's Jordan stage, Drake has hosted dozens of Presidential candidates and elected officials that span the entire political spectrum, including nationally broadcasted political debates and forums on ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fusion TV.

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Des Moines

A picture from the corner of 25th Street and University Avenue. The Drake signs can be seen the background as well as several local businesses. Multiple people are walking away from the camera in Drake gear. A DART bus is stopped at the stoplight.

Tour stop audio transcript

Drake's campus is located in an urban neighborhood only five minutes from downtown, in Iowa's capital city of Des Moines. Des Moines is the fastest-growing city in the Midwest, consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the country for career opportunities, quality of life, and young professionals. Drake students have access to all that Des Moines has to offer—from internships and jobs to entertainment and nightlife— right off campus. In fact, students can ride the Des Moines Area Regional Transit— or DART— buses for free, just by showing their Drake ID or rent cars from on campus by the hour!

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