Drake Class of 2026
This May, Drake celebrated the achievements of its Class of 2026, awarding 1,230 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees at the University’s 159th commencement ceremonies. This milestone marked the culmination of years of dedication, but also the beginning of new journeys for a diverse and inspiring group of graduates. Here, we highlight seven exceptional members of the Class of 2026 whose journeys exemplify what it means to be a Bulldog.
Ty Walls,
BN’26
Majoring in information systems with minors in cybersecurity and spatial and information technology, Ty Walls has made a lasting impact on Drake’s campus through leadership and service. During their time at Drake, Walls served as Student Body President, president and first-year mentor for the Coalition of Black Students, a student employee in the ITS Help Desk, and a leader within the Crew Scholars program. After graduation, Walls plans to continue their Drake education by pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics.
“Drake has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and try things I never imagined for myself. Whether through leadership opportunities, mentorship, or pursuing graduate school, Drake has given me the confidence to grow, evolve, and become the person I want to be.”
Walls credits much of this growth to the mentors and community found at Drake, particularly through the Crew Scholars Program. One of Walls’ favorite parts of campus life is the joy Griff brings to the Drake community. Looking ahead, Walls hopes future Bulldogs embrace every opportunity to learn, change, and grow, and offers this advice to incoming students: Allow yourself to evolve academically, socially, and personally, and don’t be afraid to explore new experiences along the way.
Emerson Whittemore double majored in sociology and Spanish at Drake, complementing her studies with a minor in leadership education and development and deep involvement in Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute. At Drake’s spring 2026 commencement, she was honored with the Oreon E. Scott Senior Legacy Award—recognizing an undergraduate student leader who embodies scholarship, leadership, service, and involvement. Now, she is taking her Drake experience to the global stage, having earned a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to serve as a cultural ambassador in Uruguay from March through November 2027.
“I fell in love with Uruguay’s vibrant, welcoming culture and its commitment to community. Through this experience, I hope to gain insights into mentorship and cross-cultural connection that will shape my career as a counselor. I’m profoundly grateful to my mentors at Drake for encouraging me to pursue this with such purpose.”
Whittemore’s path to the Fulbright was shaped by a 2025 internship in Argentina, where she was drawn to the region’s relationship-centered communities and Uruguay’s standing as a leader in civil liberties across South America. At Drake, she found an environment that prepared her not just academically, but for the high-stakes, people-first moments her future career in mental health counseling will demand. Upon her return from Uruguay, she plans to apply to graduate programs in mental health counseling.
Emerson Whittemore,
AS’26
Keira O’Brien,
AS’25
Keira O’Brien was drawn to Drake by a program she couldn’t find anywhere else—law, politics, and society—and the exceptional faculty who brought it to life. During her time at Drake, she embraced every academic challenge the University had to offer, growing intellectually and building the foundation she needed to pursue graduate study at one of the country’s most prestigious institutions. After graduation, O’Brien will head to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a master’s degree in social policy.
“My favorite Drake memory is Painted Street—being able to see all the student organizations painting their squares, working together. Arts and crafts are my favorite, so it was just such a special experience.”
For O’Brien, Drake was more than a place to earn a degree—it was an environment that pushed her to grow in ways she didn’t expect. The rigor of her academic experience, paired with the support of faculty who genuinely cared, prepared her for the demands of higher education and beyond. She leaves Drake not only with a passion for social policy, but with the confidence and resilience to pursue it at the highest level.
Brittany Ortega’s path to Drake was paved by family, as her sister is a Drake grad. Watching her sister thrive at Drake made Ortega’s decision an easy one. During her time at Drake, she found her footing through the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ internship program, where outstanding mentors and peers helped shape her professional trajectory. Now, rather than leaving campus behind, Brittany is staying right where she belongs—returning to Drake to earn her Master of Science in Business Analytics.
“My favorite Drake memory is getting to know campus. Those first few weeks are so special.”
For Ortega, Drake was never just a university—it was a community she actively chose and one that gave back in equal measure. From the moment she arrived, the warmth of the campus environment matched everything her sister had described. The relationships she built through her internship program proved just as valuable as the classroom experiences, equipping her with both the skills and the network to take her next step with confidence.
Brittany Ortega,
PH’26
Ella Rother,
AS’26
Ella Rother double majored in marketing and graphic design at Drake, building a creative skill set that she is taking straight into the professional world. From the moment she stepped on campus—and after meeting Griff II—she knew Drake was home. Her time at Drake was marked by coursework that directly prepared her for a career in the creative industry. After graduation, Rother is heading back to Minnesota to work at a creative agency.
“My favorite Drake memory was getting the opportunity to study abroad in Spain for a semester. I got to meet so many new people, learn about new languages and cultures—it was really the highlight of my four years.”
For Rother, Drake’s greatest strength was the relevance of its curriculum and the accessibility of its faculty. The courses she took weren’t just academically rigorous—they were directly applicable to the creative career she was working toward. Professors who were both knowledgeable and genuinely invested in their students made all the difference, giving her the confidence and preparation to step into her next chapter ready to create.
Eli Benson chose Drake for its rare combination of big-school opportunities and small-school intimacy. During his time on campus, he built strong relationships with professors, earned real-world experience through internships, and became an active member of the Des Moines community—all while working toward his goal of a career in politics. After graduation, he will be working on a gubernatorial campaign in Iowa, with ambitions to remain in the political arena long after election day.
“My favorite Drake memory is sitting out on the front porch of my house with all of my friends during the summertime. Even though I wasn’t at home with my family, I had my friends here, I had the community—and that was always special for me.”
Throughout his years at Drake, Benson found that the University’s tight-knit network of professors, staff, alumni, and fellow students set it apart from larger institutions. For Benson, those connections were not just academic—they were career-defining. Drake’s people, he says, genuinely invest in students long after graduation, ensuring that every Bulldog has the tools and relationships needed to thrive.
Eli Benson,
AS’26