Though the building’s purpose has changed, its legacy of community and connection is as strong as ever.

Designed in the Georgian architectural style with brick and Bedford stone, Morehouse was built for $125,000—equivalent to about $2 million today. The three-story building housed 77 women in a mix of single and double rooms, with communal spaces that would become central to student life.

Drake alumna Margaret Drake Cockrum, ED’51, lived in Morehouse when she was a freshman. Now 96 and living in San Diego, Cockrum has fond memories of her year in the dorm.

She was already establishing the work ethic of a typical Bulldog, balancing her classwork with multiple jobs.

“One of my jobs was working at the dorm as a waitress at night,” she said. “All the freshmen girls sat down at the table, and we served them dinner. Now kids would laugh—they wouldn’t believe that.”

It was a different time in many ways. Margaret remembers writing her family to stay in touch since there were no phones. She remembers receiving a letter from her dad sharing that he planned to sell the pigs and would send her $20 for clothes. “That was a lot of money back then—it bought my entire wardrobe!”

She shared that in the 1940s, students rarely went home or even left campus. However, a few brave Bulldogs joined Margaret one sunny day to make a memory—heading over to Riverview Park to ride their first roller coaster.

After her freshman year, Margaret moved out of Morehouse into a University-owned house for upperclassmen, where her older sister Maxine also lived. “We were very close and loved our years together at Drake.”

In November 1983, students staged an elaborate prank by planting 13 “For Sale” signs on the front lawn of Morehouse. Campus security didn’t have nearly as much fun as the students did, as the signs had been taken from actual Des Moines properties for sale.

Morehouse also served as a space where students advocated for themselves, learned the power of their voice, and learned how to navigate areas of disagreement.

In 1985, the University was considering converting the first floor of Morehouse into office space. The dorm residents organized an open house to showcase the building’s importance, gathering petitions signed by students and alumni and writing to University officials and local papers advocating for it to remain a residential space. On March 8 that same year, administrators made the decision to retain the residential space.

The transformation was made possible by the generosity of many, from Drake alumni to community friends, corporate partners, and more. Among the generous gifts was a history-maker: Drake alumnus Greg Johansen, PH’76, and his wife, Cie, provided $28 million toward the project—marking the largest single-donor contribution in Drake’s history. This generosity enabled the University to complete the transformation debt-free.

The renovations have preserved Morehouse’s architectural charm while reimagining its interior spaces as dynamic places for collaboration and leadership. The Johansen Student Center, which opened in early 2025, provides much-needed study spaces, meeting rooms, and offices for student organizations.

“Space matters when it comes to community,” said Kristin Economos, director of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute, in an interview with The Times-Delphic. “It’s really hard to feel a sense of camaraderie and a sense of group identity without having a space to claim for it.”

The center houses the offices of Student Senate, the Student Activities Board, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. The new Fisher-Stelter Hall serves as a venue for guest speakers and student-led programs, while the Lacy Workroom offers a creative workshop for hands-on projects and craft nights.

That class changed his career path. When Motta returned to Panama after graduation, he brought his newly acquired computing skills and an early Mac Plus computer to his first job at Banco General.

“After a week, the president of the bank said, ‘Go buy one for you and one for me, and teach me how to use it,’” Motta said.

Motta is now executive vice president of consumer banking at Banco General, where he has worked for the past 35 years, playing a key role in the bank’s growth into Panama’s largest financial institution with a market share of more than 50 percent.

Orillac and Motta are just two of many Panamanian students from the 1970s and 1980s whose experiences at Drake helped launch them into leadership roles in their home country. Over the years, their positive experiences helped encourage more Panamanian students to enroll at the University. As these alumni built their careers, they remained closely connected to Drake, creating partnerships that continue to benefit the University and its students.

One of the newest initiatives is the “Business at the Hub of the Americas” study abroad program in Panama City, a collaboration between Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business and the Office of Global Engagement. The program immerses students in Panama’s economy, allowing them to work directly with multinational companies, trade associations, and local entrepreneurs to help tackle industry challenges.

Students don’t just learn from faculty—they spend time with alumni like Orillac and Motta, who welcome them into their businesses by offering mentorship and insight into Panama’s role as a global business hub.

According to Annique Kiel, Drake’s executive director of global engagement and international programs, the goal is to help students develop the cultural intelligence needed to thrive in an increasingly global business landscape.

“Drake has three main tenets of our mission statement, and one is responsible global citizenship,” Kiel shared in an interview with Iowa Capital Dispatch. “Drake places a lot of emphasis on that particular tenet to ensure when students graduate from Drake, they do so with the strength gained from exposure to a global perspective.”

The 11-day trip included a course on Panama’s economy, meetings with local communities and business leaders, and a preseason game against a Panamanian team.

In an interview with Iowa Capital Dispatch, Drake football player Finn Claypool shared the value of the trip, saying the University had done the students a big favor by offering the experience of traveling abroad, because it exposed them to a unique opportunity most college students wouldn’t have.

Now a related academic initiative is in the works: student teaching placements in Panama through Drake’s School of Education. Through partnerships with Panamanian schools, future Bulldog educators will gain international classroom experience, adding to the University’s reputation for producing globally minded graduates.

“Business is people,” Orillac said. “You can’t do business if you don’t interact with your customers and suppliers.”

As Orillac reflected on his journey from a young student in Iowa to a business leader in Panama, he summed up the spirit of this ongoing partnership:

“All the favors and help I received made me realize I had to give back to others.”

Mike Peterson is a prime example. Peterson graduated from Drake with a Liberal Arts degree in 1975. He was highly successful in sales and marketing, and that success pushed him into new leadership roles, closing his career as the vice president and publisher of Dotdash Meredith Corporation. Now retired, Peterson is committed to giving back to Zimpleman College of Business, supporting Drake graduates on their paths to success.

A recent Drake alumni who is benefiting from this gift of time is Logan Zweifel. Zweifel began a connection with Peterson while attending events as a student of Zimpleman College. They began connecting outside of events, and by Zweifel’s senior year, they had a strong mentor-mentee relationship. Peterson shared his industry knowledge and provided Zweifel with guidance as he prepared for graduation.

Their relationship didn’t end with graduation. Zweifel relocated to the East Coast and began his career as a liaison with Food Export. The two continue to connect monthly, with Peterson sharing advice tailored to Zweifel’s challenges and aspirations, offering insights and support as he navigates the early stages of his career. Zweifel is now pursuing a master’s degree in management from the Maine Maritime Academy.

For Peterson, not only is mentorship providing a way for him to give back during retirement, but his service reflects the mission of Zimpleman College. “Business as a force for good.”

By supporting graduates like Zweifel, mentors like Peterson are reinforcing Zimpleman College’s emphasis on lifelong learning, professional growth, and a commitment to do well by doing good.

Zweifel shared that he aspires to mentor others one day, carrying forward the legacy of support and guidance he’s received.

Peterson said mentorship isn’t just a gift for the student. “Mentorship is one of the most meaningful ways to impact a young professional’s career. Helping students transition from the classroom to their career path is incredibly rewarding.”