Relays 2026 - Alumni Events
Whether on the Blue Oval or on campus, Relays Week is where Bulldogs celebrate together. Mix road races, stadium action, and athletic feats with alumni tent parties, reunions, and on-campus events for the complete alumni Relays experience.
Browse Alumni and Community events going on during Relays Week 2026.
Alumni Events
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Alumni Awards Ceremony
Drake University and the National Alumni Board of Directors are proud to honor exceptional graduates each year during the Drake Relays at the Alumni Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is open to the community.
Let's DU Drinks at the Blue Oval
Join fellow alumni and friends for Let’s DU Drinks at the Blue Oval. Start your Drake Relays weekend with us at the Drake Alumni tent on Thursday night!
April 24-25, 2026
50-Year Reunion
Join the Drake community and your fellow classmates for the 50 Year Reunion. It’s a weekend of reconnecting with classmates, celebrating Drake, recalling college days, and making new memories.
Friday, April 24, 2026
All-Alumni Painted Street Party - Painted Street & Jewett Hall
Gather with ALL Alumni Bulldogs and meet old friends, make new connections, and celebrate together.
Pharmacy Alumni Continuing Education Session - FREE
Join us during Relays Week, for a FREE continuing education session! Designed for pharmacists, this session will explore how emerging therapies are transforming the management of cardiometabolic disease, from type 2 diabetes and obesity to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Gathering
Please join us for a College of Arts & Sciences alumni gathering during the All-Alumni Painted Street Party during Relays! Register below to receive a complimentary drink ticket and connect with Dean Gesine Gerhard, College of Arts & Sciences Faculty, and fellow alumni.
CPHS Alumni & Friends Gathering
Please join us for a CPHS alumni gathering during the All-Alumni Painted Street Party at Relays! Click to register and receive a complimentary drink ticket and connect with retiring Professor John Rovers, Dean Erik Maki, CPHS Faculty, and fellow alumni.
School of Education Alumni Gathering
Please join us for a School of Education alumni gathering during the All-Alumni Painted Street Party during Relays! Click the link to register and receive a complimentary drink ticket and connect with Dean Ryan Wise, School of Education Faculty, and fellow alumni.
Zimpleman College of Business Alumni & Friends Gathering
We hope you will join us for this milestone gathering as we celebrate 75 years of excellence as a college. Click the link to register and receive a complimentary drink ticket and connect with Dean Alanah Mitchell, Zimpleman faculty and staff, and fellow alumni.
JDBC Alumni & Friends Gathering
Please join us for a John Dee Bright College alumni gathering during the All-Alumni Painted Street Party during Relays! Connect with Dean Megan Brown, JDBC Faculty, and fellow alumni.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Campus Tour
No matter when you graduated, join us on this tour of Drake’s campus to hear how campus has transformed since you were a student, including learning about campus renovations, community growth, and upcoming projects.
Spilling the LGBTea on Drake: Celebrating 10-years of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association
Celebrate a decade of connection and community of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association with fellow alumni to reflect on more than 60 years of LGBTQ+ experiences at Drake. We'll celebrate all Drake experiences, from those who were proudly out on campus to those whose journeys unfolded later. Together, we’ll honor the Association’s beginnings at Drake Relays in 2016, share stories across generations, and celebrate the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community that continues to shape Drake.
Multicultural Block Party
Join us for a vibrant celebration of unity and community hosted by the Black Alumni Association, LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, and Latinx Alumni Association. 28th Street will be shut down for Drake to celebrate our vibrant communities and the continued legacies of the multicultural houses (CAYA, La Casa, and the BCC). Each house will be open for alumni to gather and a DJ, food trucks, and a beverage vendor will keep the party going rain or shine. Come reconnect with fellow Bulldogs and celebrate Drake and the Des Moines community together in one unforgettable block party.
SJMC Relays Party
Please join us for our annual SJMC party during the Drake Relays! We will celebrate Dean Catherine Staub’s upcoming retirement; Dr. Kelly Bruhn’s upcoming installation as the next Dean of the SJMC; Professor Emerita Pat Prijatel’s visionary leadership in founding the Meredith Apprenticeship Program more than 20 years ago; and more. Click to register and receive two complimentary drink tickets and celebrate with your SJMC family.
Fraternity/Sorority Alumni Events
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Alpha Phi - Alumni Brunch
Time: 10:00 AM - Noon
Location: Alpha Phi House I 1240 34th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
This is a brunch hosted by Alpha Phi Gamma Omicron to celebrate and connect with our Alumni and their families.
Delta Gamma Relays Alumni Event
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Location: Delta Gamma House I 1227 34th St Des Moines, IA
Delta Gamma alumni are invited to join us for house tours. There will be a short ceremony at 11:00 AM.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Brunch
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Kappa Kappa Gamma Chapter Facility I 1305 34th St Des Moines, IA
The active members of Kappa Kappa Gamma invite Gamma Theta alumni to join us for brunch, house tours and conversations. Help us celebrate Drake Relays and another great year at the Gamma Theta Chapter!
SigEp Alumni Tent
Time: Noon - 2:00 PM
Location: SigEp House I 1243 34th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Active members of the SigEp fraternity invite alumni members to attend an alumni tent gathering at the SigEp house. Please RSVP via this link so we can have an estimated count of those attending!
Theta Gamma Relays Alumni Brunch (Sigma Chi)
Time: 10:00 AM - Noon
Location: Sigma Chi House I 3212 Forest Ave, Des Moines, 50311
Active members of the Sigma Chi fraternity invite alumni members of the Theta Gamma Chapter to join us for brunch at the Sigma Chi house.