Previously Morehouse Residence Hall, the new center is home to 150+ student organizations
Drake University is pleased to announce the grand opening of the new Johansen Student Center, formerly known as Morehouse Residence Hall. The student center is a gathering space for more than 150 student-led organizations and a launch pad for the next generation of collaborators, change agents, and critical thinkers by providing dedicated meeting rooms, collaborative workspaces, and event venues.
Drake hosted a grand opening celebration on Thursday, April 24, at the new student center. The event was hosted during Relays Week so that current students, alumni, faculty, and friends of Drake could participate in the celebration of the new student center, Sammons Intercultural Center, and Sammons Plaza.
The $16.2 million renovation was 100% donor-funded through The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave and Bold, a comprehensive fundraising campaign. The donations include a $28 million gift from Greg Johansen, a 1976 graduate of Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and his wife Cie, made in May 2024. The Johansen’s generous donation is the largest single-donor gift in Drake’s history. A portion of the Johansen’s gift enabled the completion of the student center and allowed the University to finish the construction project debt-free.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Greg and Cie Johansen, making it possible for the University to convert Morehouse Residence Hall into a vibrant new student center,” said Marty Martin, Drake University president. “After serving Drake and our students for nearly 100 years as a residence hall, we’re pleased to enhance the historic building and make it a space that can continue to serve our campus community.”
First Intercultural Center at Drake
As part of the 40,000-square-foot renovation to Morehouse Residence Hall, Drake is opening its first intercultural center. The University used $1.75 million of a $3.15 million donation from Sammons Financial Group of West Des Moines, Iowa, to renovate part of the residence hall. The Sammons Intercultural Center includes 2,700 square feet dedicated to celebrating diversity through student-centric community programming. Another $750,000 of the Sammons Financial Group gift was used to create a student-centered community outdoor area to be known as Sammons Plaza.
Additional features of the newly renovated building include the following spaces across four floors:
- Ground Floor: Offers Fisher-Stelter Hall, originally built as the dining hall for Morehouse, the hall will be set daily as a community workspace. Both formal meeting and casual gathering spaces will be available, as well as come-and-go spaces for students.
- First Floor: Home to the Darling Institute, Koehn Community Work Zone, Ruan Living Room, Schickler Lounge, Porter Outpost, and Olson Institute for Public Democracy Scholars’ Caucus Room.
- Second Floor: Includes the Adams Leadership Institute, Hayes Student Commons, Lacy Workroom, August Lounge, Person Family Suite, and huddle spaces.
- Third Floor: Features the Kinne Center, Ernst Boardroom, J.W. Roberts Digital Hub, Scripps Lounge and Meeting Room, and huddle spaces.
Notable Donors and Contributions
In addition to the significant donations already mentioned, the following individuals and groups made contributions to support the creation of the new student center.
- Frances Kinne (FA’40, GR’44): Contributed $2 million to the project and is being honored with the new Kinne Development Center on the third floor.
- Cain A. and Denise Hayes: The Hayes’ $1.5 million gift is being recognized through the Cain A. Hayes Student Commons.
- The Ruan Foundation: The Foundation’s gift will be recognized in the revitalized living room of the Johansen Student Center, serving as a student lounge area.
- Cathy Lacy (MPA’86) and her husband Steve Lacy: The couple’s gift will go toward the large student meeting space on the second floor, known as the Lacy Workroom.
- John August (JO’92): A successful American screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist, John’s gift funded a student workspace called the August Lounge on the second floor.
Morehouse Residence Hall will always remain a significant part of Drake’s history, initially serving as housing for women on campus. As the University embarks on this next chapter, the Johansen Student Center will continue to enhance student life and foster community engagement and involvement.
“On behalf of the student body at Drake, I want to thank the many donors whose support has made this project a reality,” said Ashley Dyson, Drake Student Body President and featured speaker at the building’s grand opening event. “For almost 100 years, these walls [Johansen Student Center] have served as a place of community amongst our student body. Now the building will continue that legacy by providing a dedicated space for students to build relationships, hone leadership skills, collaborate with community partners, and get plugged into the causes and issues they care about for generations of Drake students to come.”