Recognition Levels

Drake Law School is proud to honor alumni and friends who provide significant support to the Law School with membership to our recognition levels and donor societies.

Gift Recognition Levels:

Law School Annual Fund

• $2,500 and above - Leland S. Forrest Society
• $1,000 and above - President's Circle
• $500-$999
• $250-$499
• $100-$249
• Up to $99

Law School Giving Societies:

Leland S. Forrest Society

The Leland S. Forrest Society recognizes the generosity of those donors who personally commit a gift of $2,500 or more to the Law School Annual Fund or a restricted Law School account. Matching gifts do count toward membership.

The Leland S. Forrest Society honors the contributions of Leland Stanford Forrest, former Drake Law School professor and dean. Upon his death in 1970, Leland S. Forrest left a substantial endowment generating significant scholarship assistance each year for particularly meritorious law students enrolling in the Drake Law School.

The Leland S. Forrest Society Reception and Dinner is held by the Law School each fall to recognize members.

All Law School Leland S. Forrest Society Members are members of Drake University's Francis Marion Drake Society.

Bonnie and Lewis McNurlen Consecutive Giving Society

The Bonnie and Lewis McNurlen Consecutive Giving Society recognizes those who make gifts to Drake University of any amount and for any purpose in two or more consecutive years.

Once you make a gift for two consecutive years, you become a member of the society and remain a member as long as you make a gift in each successive fiscal year to any area of Drake and in any amount.

President's Circle

The President's Circle recognizes those alumni and friends who give gifts of $1000 or more to the Drake Law School Annual Fund in a fiscal year.

If you’ve graduated in the past 10 years, you can become an associate member of the President’s Circle with annual gifts to the Annual Fund based on your graduation year:

• 2020—$100  
• 2019—$200  
• 2018—$300  
• 2017—$400
• 2016—$500
• 2015—$600
• 2014—$700
• 2013—$800
• 2012—$900

Drake University holds the annual Francis Marion Drake Society Dinner to honor members of the President's Circle.

Old Main Society

The Old Main Society recognizes donors who have made gifts of $1,000 or more to Drake Law School in support of capital or endowed projects.

Membership in The Old Main Society confers the same benefits as membership in the President’s Circle and is extended to those generous donors who have designated their support to an area other than the annual fund.

Chancellor’s Elm Society

The Chancellor’s Elm Society honors alumni and friends who make a planned gift to Drake University. Examples of planned gifts include charitable bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, charitable gifts of life insurance, charitable beneficiary designations, and other gift planning vehicles.

For questions, contact Thomas Smith, Drake Law School Major Gift Officer, at 515-271-1877 or thomas.smith@drake.edu.