(Des Moines, Iowa) Drake University has cut the ribbon on the new headquarters of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center.
The offices are in Collier-Scripps Hall, which opened this year as part of Drake's $52 million STEM@DRAKE initiative.
The center's mission is to encourage character-building and ethics initiatives.
Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray, and his wife Billie, both Drake graduates, attended the event Tuesday on the campus in Des Moines.
“Billie and I are pleased to see the completion of this beautiful facility in the heart of Drake University,” Gov. Robert D. Ray said in a prepared statement. “We believe it is a tremendous honor for Drake University and Iowa to capture the opportunity to be the center of civility, ethical leadership, and character development. The foundation has been set to fulfill a vision greater than any of us individually, a vision to bring together some of our nation’s finest leaders and organizations to positively impact the world for decades to come.”
The event doubled as a celebration of Ray’s 89th birthday, with guests enjoying his favorite flavor of ice cream (peppermint) and a large batch of chocolate chip cookies.