Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. The school offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as some professional programs in areas such as law and pharmacy.
The university's law school was established in 1881 by Chester C. Cole[1], who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1864 to 1876. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country. Distinguished alumni include Dwight D. Opperman, former CEO of West Publishing Company, after whom Drake's law library was named.
The Constitutional Law Center, a prestiguous institute located at the law school, is one of four constitutional law programs established by the United States Congress. The Center's mission is to foster in-depth study of the United States Constitution. A significant aspect of the Center's activities is the Dwight D. Opperman Lecture series, an annual event of national importance in constitutional law. Numerous current and former United States Supreme Court Justices have delivered the Opperman Lecture, including Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, and late Justices Lewis F. Powell and Harry A. Blackmun.
Drake University also hosts the Drake Relays during April. This track and field event has been held since 1910. Participants come from throughout the Midwest to compete in this two-day event which also helps to draw large crowds of spectators to Des Moines.
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