Drake University, Private university in Des Moines, United States.
Drake University is a private institution in Des Moines spanning roughly 150 acres with academic buildings, residence halls, sports facilities, and research centers. The campus sits in a residential neighborhood with green spaces, walkways, and a mix of historic and modern architecture.
The institution was founded in 1881 by Francis Marion Drake and George T. Carpenter with 77 students in a single building called Student's Home. Over the decades, the campus expanded and added colleges of law, pharmacy, and business.
The campus bears the nickname Bulldogs after its athletic mascot, which appears on banners and in the school colors of blue and white. Students gather at the Knapp Center for basketball games and use the Olmsted Center as a hub for meals and meetings.
The campus is walkable, with visitor parking available near main buildings and designated areas for events. Guided tours are offered on weekdays, and the grounds are accessible through several entrances from the surrounding neighborhood.
The Drake Relays, a track and field competition, started in 1910 as a small meet and grew into an international event with athletes from many countries. The Old Main building originally served as the main structure and now houses administrative offices.
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