Events

Honors Student Council Events include:

Welcome Fall Picnic: Meet new and returning students at an informal social the Sunday immediately prior to the first day of the new academic year of fall classes. Join us at noon in the green space between Medbury Hall and Jewett Residence Hall.

Fall Retreat: The fall retreat offers incoming first-years a weekend away from Drake to meet other Honors students, learn more about the Honors program, and participate in exciting outdoor activities.  Previous fall retreats have featured ziplining, rock wall climbing, campfire, and black light dodgeball. Anyone interested in the Honors Program is welcome to join. Students can register through the Honors Student Council or in the Honors office. The retreat is early in the academic year, so don’t miss it!

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Random Night Dinners: The RND, one of our most popular events, is a monthly program featuring free dinner and excellent conversation. Each month an Honors professor is invited to speak to students on a topic of their choice. All students, staff and facuty are welcome to sit down for a good dinner and discussion.

President's Book Club: The President's Book Club is an event held one evening each semester at the University President's home. The goal of the book club is to bring together students and administrators of Drake University for thought-provoking discussions of scholarly literature. Past selections have included Sea of Tranquility;  Hunter's Moon: A Novel in Stories, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things; Homegoing; Between the World and Me; Crime and Punishment; The Story of Edgar Sawtelle; Shadow of the Wind; Catch 22; and American Pastoral. The Spring 2024 read is forthcoming.

First Finals Cookies and Cocoa: This is a chance for first-year and transfer students to de-stress with the company of peers and Honors Program Director & Assistant Director and Honors First Year Seminar Faculty.

Hawley Lecture Series: This annual lecture series exposes students to a broad range of topics presented by prominent, academic intellectuals. The topics vary but usually have a civic or public impact. Past presenters have included screenwriters, writers, educators, activists, and scientific researchers. The Hawley Foundation was established in 1927 by Des Moines businessman Henry B. Hawley and his wife, Carrie. Sponsors include Drake's Honors Program, Honors Student Council, and related department/programs as relevant to guest lecturer's field(s) of study and profession. 

Honors Awards Ceremony: Semester expected graduates are honored with medallion to be worn at Commencement.