Six Decades of Family,
Philanthropy,
and Bulldog Pride

For most, a university is simply where you earn a degree, but for Brent Mardis and his family, Drake University is a cornerstone of their very identity. For more than six decades, this institution hasn’t just educated them, it’s woven itself into the fabric of their family—influencing their careers, their passions, and their commitment to giving back.

The Mardis family’s connection to Drake started in the late 1950s with Brent’s parents. His father, Robert Mardis, BN’59, studied computer programming, and his mother, Beverly, ED’59, education. They loved the University, especially its basketball team, and quickly passed that love down through the generations.

“My first college basketball game was watching Drake at Vets Auditorium when I was four years old,” said Mardis. “I remember seeing a local TV personality and Dolph Pulliam, a former Drake basketball player, which was pretty exciting.”

This early exposure instilled a loyalty that would only grow deeper with time.

This new tradition grew after Mardis and his two brothers all graduated from Drake. Brent Mardis received a degree in actuarial science in ’91; his older brother, Brad graduated in ’89, and his younger brother, William in ’95. But the family’s dedication went far beyond just their school experience.

“To this day, all three of us brothers are Drake basketball season ticket holders,” Mardis shared. “We also would regularly attend Drake football games and, since the early ’80s, have gone to the Drake Relays. My father would take me and my brothers out of school to watch the Relays. Today, my brothers and I still go every year, no matter the weather.”

The Drake connection became even stronger when Mardis met his wife, Laurie, who graduated in ’93 with a degree in education. This brought another loyal alumna into the growing family.

The family legacy is continuing into the next generation, often in unexpected ways. Mardis’s two children, Benjamin and Kaitlyn, eventually followed their family’s lead and graduated from Drake. Benjamin graduated in 2019 and Kaitlyn in 2022.

“Benjamin was drawn to the University’s first kinesiology program, which prepared him for physical therapy, while Kaitlyn found her place in the vocal music program,” said Mardis. “Both found their niche and did well.”

The Mardis family’s Drake ties grew yet again when Benjamin met his future wife on campus, Carissa Bowie, AS’19. As Brent Mardis proudly stated, “Quite a few of us have Bulldog blood running through us, that’s for sure.” The family’s continuous flow of alumni underscores the University’s enduring appeal across diverse interests and career paths.

The Mardis family’s relationship with Drake goes beyond just going to school and cheering for sports teams. They are deeply dedicated to giving back to the place that has given them so much.

“I serve on a national group that advised the actuarial science program,” said Mardis. “My wife and I often speak to different classes in the College of Business.”

They have given donations to many different sports departments, including basketball, golf, and softball. The vocal music program has also received their steady support, especially when Kaitlyn was in the program.

An important family contribution came through Brent’s workplace, Sammons Financial Group, which made a substantial gift to fund the Sammons Intercultural Center, finished in early 2025. Brent, assenior executive at Sammons Financial Group, was the lead helping make the company’s gift to The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave and Bold a reality.

What the Mardis family loves most about Drake is its caring and connected atmosphere.

“You feel like you’re part of a family when you go to Drake,” Brent Mardis said. “It’s small enough that you get to know your teachers very well. You have a close group of friends you spend time with.”

These important connections last long after graduation, with Mardis and his wife still seeing teachers they had in the ‘90s, and University staff often asking about his children.

“The staff at Drake truly care about how they’ve set you up for success. It really shows how strong of a commitment they have to former students’ well-being and continued success.”

As the Mardis family looks to the future, their commitment to Drake remains as strong as ever. They envision that future generations will carry on the traditions of academic pursuit, athletic passion, and heartfelt giving that have defined their extraordinary connection for more than 60 years.