First-year students are not the only ones preparing to settle into their new home on Drake’s campus. Drake University’s Office of Alumni Relations is excited to announce a new home for Drake alumni and friends. The Drake University Alumni House, located at 2700 University Ave., will open its doors this fall.
“The establishment of the Alumni House fills a void in the life of the campus and in the lives of our alumni,” says Drake University President David Maxwell. “We now have a place where the thousands of alumni who visit Drake every year can call home, and that reaffirms for them that their connection to Drake—emotionally, intellectually and physically—does not end with their graduation.”
The Alumni House will serve a variety of purposes: it will house the alumni relations staff; serve as a primary point of contact for all visiting alumni; support relationship building for development staff; and, serve as a gathering place for receptions and other special events for alumni, the campus, and the community. The alumni relations staff hopes the new facility will provide alumni the opportunity to not only socialize, but also reminisce and reconnect.
History of the Alumni House
1901 House was built by Drake Chancellor William Bayard Craig
1920-1935 Women’s Dormitory
1935-1941 Home of President Daniel Morehouse
1941-1945 Home of Henry Gadd Harmon
1945-1962 Chi Omega Sorority House
1962-2003 International Center
2003-2013 American Judicature Society Headquarters
2013 Drake University Alumni House
“Drake alumni have long needed a place to call their own in the heart of campus,” says John Smith, vice president for alumni and development. “The newly established Alumni House will create that place, and bring new life to the experience our alumni have when they come back home to Drake University. In addition, the Alumni House will provide a powerful and tangible example to current students, accentuating the life-long relationship they can enjoy with their University.”
The house, once known as the Craig House, has a long history at Drake, which includes serving as home to university presidents. The home has also served as a women’s dormitory, a sorority, and most recently, the American Judicature Society headquarters. It is a 3,500 square-foot, two-story house with a wraparound porch, built in 1901. The alumni relations staff intends to create an environment that is welcoming to visiting alumni, including a warm, living room space and an office space for those who may be visiting the Des Moines area for business.
The Kinne Center, which is currently used as office space for the alumni and development staffs, will remain home to the development team, including Smith.
The University intends to officially welcome alumni and friends to Alumni House with a reception this fall. Details about the reception will be announced at a later date.
For more information, contact Blake Campbell, director of alumni relations, at 515-271-3077 or blake.campbell@drake.edu.