Letter from John P. Smith, Vice President for University Advancement

Studio portrait of John P. Smith with short brown hair in a dark suit jacket, polka dot tie, and collared shirt with arms crossed.

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#1 school IN IOWA

for best salaries

(Wall Street Journal)

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highest median salary

in Iowa, 10 years after enrollment

(U.S. Department of Education)

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TOP 3%

of schools in the nation for lifetime return on investment.

(Bipartisan Policy Center)

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$6 BILLION

contributed annually to Iowa’s GDP by the 27,000 Drake alumni who reside in Iowa.

(2025 Economic Impact Report)

A Legacy of Leadership

At Drake University, leadership is more than a title; it is defined by a relentless drive to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Our reputation for academic excellence is well-documented. Drake consistently ranks among the nation’s top universities for producing high-achieving graduates, and the results speak for themselves. Most recently, the Wall Street Journal named Drake the No. 1 school in Iowa for “Best Salaries,” and data from the U.S. Department of Education confirms that our graduates earn the highest median salary in the state 10 years after enrollment.

However, a Drake degree is about more than professional ROI. It represents a commitment to cultivating critical thinkers, innovative problem-solvers, and engaged global citizens. We don’t just equip students for professional success; we empower them to transform lives and strengthen communities.

Through initiatives like the Adams Leadership Institute, Changemaker Scholars, and the LEAD program, today’s students are learning to use their influence to contribute to the issues and causes they care about most. Yet leadership at Drake isn’t confined to formal programs. It is a lived practice—forged in residence halls, student organizations, and late-night meetings at the Johansen Student Center, and through community service opportunities. Leadership is rooted in our shared identity as Bulldogs.

As alumni, you are living proof of this legacy of leadership. For generations, Bulldogs have served as anchors in their communities—guiding, inspiring, and empowering others toward positive change. Purpose-driven leadership is one of the distinctive characteristics that not only defines us as Bulldogs but unites us with an undeniable sense of pride.

In this issue, you will meet Bulldogs who are reshaping industries, driving innovation, and championing justice as agents of change. Their work is a powerful testament to the impact of a Drake education and a reminder of what it truly means to be a Bulldog.

Thank you for continuing to lead and for representing the blue and white with such distinction. With gratitude and Bulldog pride,

Cursive signature written in dark ink reading John P. Smith.

John P. Smith, AS’92, MA’00
Vice President for University Advancement