The Ones Creating Access to Opportunity

University for all

A Drake education is a powerful tool for advancement. Investments in The Ones campaign bolster initiatives that provide life-changing opportunities to people with a diversity of experiences across the full spectrum of their lives.

Programs enhanced by The Ones campaign include:

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center—One of the nation’s leading institutes for providing character education, The Ray Center’s programming reaches youth from early childhood through college-age, including the CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative that serves eight million youth worldwide.

Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club—Funding supports scholarships and programming to further strengthen the University’s relationship with the club and make Drake more accessible to its members.

Crew Scholars—Crew is one of Drake’s most successful programs designed to recruit, retain, and support students of color.

John Dee Bright College—A two-year degree program that is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of a diverse cohort of students, Bright College’s innovative and distinctive curriculum provides hands-on, high-impact learning experiences and serves as an accelerator for career development.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Drake—Formerly the RaySociety, OLLI is a program designed for people ages 50 and older who seek opportunities for lifelong learning to enrich their lives in a collegial environment of sharing and fellowship. OLLI at Drake is one of 125 lifelong learning institutes across the country.

Access to education as a fundamental right

With five key focus areas to expand reach and provide access to a world-class education, see how students like Shir Agha Safi and Esmeralda Muñoz Castaneda found a home at Drake.

The Ones Who Guide the Young Learners

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center’s CHARACTER COUNTS! for Early Childhood program provides guidance to early childhood educators and families on how to teach young children about good character.

Kids pose in front of art board.

These lessons, tailored to students from preschool through second grade, are built on the Six Pillars of Character—trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Kids posing on stage

The Ray Center’s program addresses a significant need in early childhood classrooms for materials that educate children about social/emotional skills, improve school readiness, and effectively engage families in their child’s development.

Kids at the Ray Center

Thanks to multiple philanthropic investments, The Ray Center will provide its CHARACTER COUNTS! for Early Childhood program for free to every early childhood classroom in Polk County, Iowa, reaching more than 37,000 students within two years.

Kids at the Ray Center
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For The Ones Who Put Belonging at the Center of Student Success

Bright College is creating new pathways for educational attainment. Hear from students about their remarkable learning experiences.

Feel the Momentum of The Ones

Share the excitement of Drake’s progress toward its audacious goal.

See our progress

Join the ones
who share the vision.

By elevating Drake together, we will secure a more vibrant future for those who follow our footsteps. Join the ones who will transform Drake’s vision into a reality by adding your support to the campaign for the brave & bold.

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