The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University is proud to announce that Steve Hartman, CBS News Correspondent, has been named as the recipient of the 2026 Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award. This award is The Ray Center’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who exemplify good character as a role...
Teachers and caregivers are encouraged to sign up for the program to receive free resources and rewards The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and Hy-Vee are proud to announce a new partnership to further support kids and families in living healthy, active lifestyles. The Ray Center is assuming all responsibility and...
Expansion made possible by $530,000 in grants to The Ray Center at Drake University The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University—the global hub for CHARACTER COUNTS!—is proud to announce that new early childhood resources were provided to 1,687 early childhood and kindergarten classrooms in Polk County. With this expansion, the program’s reach...
Nominations for the 2025 Iowa Character Awards are now open. The Iowa Character Awards are presented annually by The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and honor individuals and organizations that consistently demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. “We don’t always get a chance...
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University has named JJ Moses as the 2025 Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award recipient. JJ Moses will accept the award on April 11 at The Ray Center’s All-Star Evening in West Des Moines. An All-Star Evening is presented by Hy-Vee and benefits...
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) are proud to launch a partnership that will promote civility at work. Research from SHRM shows that more than half (58%) of U.S. workers believe our society is uncivil, and U.S. organizations collectively lose approximately $2 billion...
Drake University announced today that Iowa State Representative and former U.S. Congressman David Young will serve as the inaugural Practitioner in Residence at the Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy. The program, which was previously unveiled in February 2024, is made possible by a generous $1 million gift from Patty and Jim Cownie. ...
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University has named Iowan Lisa Bluder as the 2024 Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award recipient. Lisa Bluder, head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of Iowa, will accept the award on April 19 at The Ray Center’s All-Star Evening in West Des...
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and The Columbus School are proud to announce a new partnership. The Columbus School will now be a designated regional partner of The Ray Center in order to deliver CHARACTER COUNTS! and Pursuing Victory With Honor initiatives, including comprehensive trainings and implementation support throughout Colombia....
Significant grant will make CHARACTER COUNTS! programming accessible to every early childhood and kindergarten classroom in Polk County Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino has awarded The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University four grants totaling more than $210,000 to support initiatives that benefit Iowans. “CHARACTER COUNTS!’ vision to help create strong, vibrant...