The Ones Enhancing Student Experience

JOHANSEN STUDENT CENTER

From its historic architecture, warm living room, and grand ballroom, Morehouse fosters a strong sense of community. Leveraging Morehouse’s existing assets, the Johansen Student Center will be a welcoming and lively gathering space for more than 150 student organizations and a launch pad for the next generation of collaborators, change agents, and critical thinkers.

Points of Celebration:

  • Opens in January 2025

  • Named in honor of Greg and Cie Johansen, who made the largest gift commitment to The Ones campaign of $28 million

  • Generous donor support ensures renovation will be completed debt-free

Community and Connection

Within the walls of the Johansen Student Center, students like Candace Carr will build relationships, hone leadership skills, collaborate with community partners, and get plugged into the causes and issues they care about.

Building on a Legacy of Leadership

The renovation of the historic Morehouse Residence Hall into a dynamic Student Center will provide a home base for Drake’s 150 student-led organizations. This will be the place where students discover what it means to contribute to something larger than themselves.


Concept of the lounge within the student center

Cultivating Connection and Community

Morehouse Hall will be transformed into a vibrant Student Center where the next generation of leaders will innovate beyond classroom walls, collaborate with community partners, get plugged in with the causes and issues they care about, and reimagine a better future.


Outdoor area concept

Fostering an Inclusive Environment

Built on the values of community and inclusion, the Student Center in Morehouse will be a place where everyone is welcomed and encouraged to find joy in their best selves.

Concept of dining hall in university center
For the ones horizontal 2

Enhance the Student Experience

Drake Student Organizations

There is always something happening on the Drake campus—from concerts and plays, movie nights, and comedy shows to guest lectures, athletics and intramurals, and multicultural activities. Through participation in campus life, Drake students build friendships, uncover new talents and interests, and blaze trails to bright futures. The Student Center in Morehouse will be a place where memories and lasting connections are made.

Feel the Momentum of The Ones

Signs of our progress are already being seen across campus—and now is your opportunity to continue to shape the future of our great institution.

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.

Give today