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Upcoming Events

Bulldogs don't always stay in Des Moines! The Office of Alumni Relations hosts events all over the country to bring the Drake experience to you! Browse our list of events to find one in your area!

Upcoming Events By Date

February 19, 2026 - Noon CT - Virtual
BAA Presents, A Mid-Day Conversation with Kelly Redmond, AS’90: Reinvention and Career Pivots
Join us for an exclusive virtual mid-day conversation with Kelly Redmond, AS’90, as she shares how to move forward through career reinvention and pivots. With a 35+ year career advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across organizations like the City of Atlanta, the American Hospital Association, and as CEO of the African American Board Leadership Institute, Kelly knows what it means to lead through change. When corporate DEI work came under attack, she was forced to reinvent herself and ultimately embraced a lifelong passion for acting and entertainment. Hear Kelly reflect on her journey and the mindset shifts that help all of us navigate personal and professional pivots. The conversation will be facilitated by Black Alumni Association Board Member Yaa Gyamfuah Nsiah, AS’13.

February 26, 2026 - 7:00 PM CT - Virtual
Page to Screen: The Story Behind Ellen Won Steil’s Optioned Novel
Discover the real story behind a rising literary career with bestselling author and Drake graduate Ellen Won Steil, JO’07. In this Everclass session, Ellen reflects on her path from Iowa to the bookshelves, sharing the quiet persistence, reinventions, and even failures that fueled The Lives of Others, Becoming Marlow Fin, and Fortune. She will also discuss what it is like to have one of her books optioned for development as a series on Peacock and how her background in journalism and law sharpened her voice as a storyteller. Perfect for creators seeking motivation, insight, and a candid look at the publishing world.

March 18, 2026 - 7:00 PM CT - Virtual
Everclass - The Power of Local Media: Insights from Nielsen's Paul LeFort, JO'91
Local media continues to evolve rapidly, reshaped by shifting audiences, new technologies, and the power of data. In this Everclass session, Paul LeFort, JO’91, Managing Director of Local Media Client Solutions at Nielsen, offers an insider’s view of how local TV, cable, and sports organizations are adapting. Drawing on years of guiding media clients through transformation, he shares how data-driven insights uncover growth opportunities and fuel success. Paul’s career began in Des Moines radio, sparking a passion for local storytelling and the business impact it creates. Join us as he reflects on how audience measurement is evolving, what innovation looks like in local media, and the lessons he’s learned across three decades in the industry.

April 24-25, 2026
Class of 1976 - 50th Reunion
Join the Drake community and your fellow classmates for the Class of 1976 50-Year Reunion. It’s a weekend of reconnecting with classmates, celebrating Drake, recalling college days, and making new memories. You'll rediscover Drake and strengthen your connections to the Drake community as you attend a host of events, including the the 50-Year Club Induction Luncheon, the All-Alumni Painted Street Party, the 50-Year Club Reception and more. To top it all off: the reunion takes place during Relays, so you know the Drake spirit will be all around.