Located in Des Moines at Drake University, the Jay N. Darling Institute carries forward Darling’s legacy by inspiring others to create meaningful, lasting change. Through collaboration, innovation, and action, the Institute works to advance sustainable solutions that strengthen communities and the environment.
Rooted in a shared history that dates back to 1926—when Drake University awarded Jay N. Darling an honorary Doctor of Law—the Institute continues to preserve and share his work. Today, Drake is home to Darling’s art and papers, including the We Remember Him When exhibit, ensuring his contributions remain accessible and impactful.
In partnership with organizations across the region, the Institute brings together students, faculty, and community stakeholders to address real-world challenges. Through hands-on projects, research, and policy engagement, this work helps drive positive change in rural communities while building a more sustainable future.
Our Mission
The Mission of the Jay N. Darling Institute at Drake University is to provide educational and scholarly expertise for rural communities so that their citizens have improved access to quality health care and education, nutritious food, unimpaired natural resources, and ongoing economic and cultural opportunities.
Our Vision
The Institute will infuse its Mission throughout the University and develop interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning that empower leaders of the future to seek out professional and personal growth throughout the rural Midwest. Focusing primarily on the heartland (Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky, and Wisconsin), the Darling Institute will serve rural communities by collaborating with them to resolve challenges preventing them from flourishing now and into the future.
Key Outcomes
- Transform access to educational opportunities at Drake to support lifelong learning for rural stakeholders. Create and deploy new curricular and co-curricular experiences to build the next generation of leaders eager to work in rural communities.
- Deploy the knowledge and expertise of Drake faculty, staff, and students to lead rural communities as they seek to transform their food systems, health care systems, educational opportunities, and economic futures.
- Collaborate with regional stakeholders to deliver transformative change to rural communities through student service, faculty research, and policy advocacy.
- Build and steward the authoritative archive of Darling’s legacy and use that archive to infuse Darling’s approach to leadership and civil discourse to drive rural communities towards a more sustainable future.
Inspired by Darling, Driven by Impact
The Jay N. Darling Institute is rooted in a powerful legacy—and guided by a vision for what comes next. Together, these reflections on Darling’s influence and the Institute’s direction highlight the values that shape this work and the impact it continues to make in communities across the region.
The Darling Legacy
The Jay N. Darling Institute builds on a shared history dating back to June 7, 1926, when Drake University awarded Jay N. Darling an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law to recognize his cultural achievements.
Letter from the Director
Greetings, and welcome to the Jay N. Darling Institute, Drake University’s interdisciplinary organization dedicated to partnering with rural communities across the country to collaboratively realize a more prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future.