Latest news with #DrakeUniversity
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Science
- USA Today
This Iowa golf course has housed an observatory for 100 years — but problems are surfacing
The Drake Municipal Observatory has helped the general public enjoy the wonders of space from Des Moines, Iowa, for more than a century. Throughout its existence, Drake astronomy professors have led the Public Nights Series, a Friday night lecture series for residents who have an interest in what's happening outside of Earth's stratosphere. Recent conflicts with the golf course that houses the observatory could interrupt future plans for the series and for the observatory as a whole. "My cause here is to keep this place going for another 100 years," said Herb Folsom, an astronomy professor at Drake for over 20 years and leader of the public event series. "It fills up every Friday night, and we've been doing that for over 100 years." The Public Nights Series holds lectures over three sessions each year: eight-week sessions in the spring and fall and a five-week session in the summer. The 2025 summer session runs June 13 to July 11. Each event, which runs about an hour, includes a lecture, a tour of the observatory and a chance for attendees to look through the telescopes. This year is the first time issues between the Waveland Golf Course and Drake Municipal Observatory have been reported. Observatory, golf course have worked together since 1922 The observatory, which was built as a joint project between the city and the university in 1922, sits between the seventh and eighth holes with a driveway that cuts through the course. Its location isn't necessarily the problem, though, but more so the 8 p.m. start time of the event. The public event draws about 80 to 100 attendees, Folsom said, which creates traffic along the end of the course while golfers are finishing their rounds. "The City of Des Moines, Drake University, and C-Corporation (Waveland Golf Course operator) collaboratively agreed on an access approach that prioritizes the highest level of safety for all who use Waveland," said a written statement from the city of Des Moines. "We appreciate their continued support in ensuring a safe and coordinated experience for everyone at Waveland Golf Course and surrounding access area." Folsom agreed to move the event's start time back to 9:30 p.m. this summer to avoid any more problems. That decision, however, is a temporary one. The start time isn't a problem during other seasons because it's already dark by 8 p.m., Folsom said. "I don't want to fight that battle right now," Folsom said. "We've got to work something out before next summer because that 9:30 p.m. start time was just too late for most people." Frustrations over start time lead to questions about observatory's future Frequent attendees of the event are upset about the change to the start time. A Facebook page that's not affiliated with the university has shared posts frustrated by the changes with attendees weighing in with comments. Also on the Drake Municipal Observatory Facebook page is a picture of a sign someone put up in front of the Waveland Golf Course, accusing Waveland of wanting to "keep astronomy off the golf course." Folsom knows the individual who put the sign up. It was taken down after a few days, but the city is unhappy about the displayed wording. The buildup of frustration between the two sides now has the future of the observatory in question. "Up until these past couple of weeks, I didn't think it was [in jeopardy]," Folsom said. "I got an email from Drake facilities and they said the city was really upset with the wording of that sign. And he basically said in his email that this could impact the continued running of the observatory." Despite this, Folsom said the level of concern is "minimal." Some of the regulars have suggested alternatives for next summer to Folsom, including dropping the summer series and holding a winter one in its place or extending the length of spring and fall series. What is the Drake Municipal Observatory? The Drake Municipal Observatory is a university facility equipped with telescopes and other equipment needed to observe natural phenomena, specifically astronomical events. Planted in the middle of the Waveland Golf Course, it allows a clear view of the sky needed for its 125-year-old Warner and Swasey Telescope to see out into the pitch black. The observatory was designed by Frank E. Wetherell and built in 1922 with the partnership of Drake University and the city of Des Moines. The university provided the scientific instruments and staff, while the city supplied 0.23 acres of land and the funds to build the building. Daniel Morehouse, an astronomy professor who later led the university, played a huge part in the observatory's development. He became the university president in 1922 and served until his passing in 1941. To honor his contributions, he and his wife, Myrtle, had their ashes stored within the walls of the observatory. The Drake Municipal Building is the oldest observatory in the country, Folsom said. It will turn 103 years old in November. Inside the building is a museum-like setup downstairs with pictures of comets and planets, equipment dating back nearly 100 years and a gift shop. The main level features a solar system floor meant to project the planets' exact point in the sky when the building was constructed and a lecture room used for the classes. Upstairs is where the 125-year-old Warner and Swasey Telescope resides. It's paired with a shutter roof that slides open for the telescope to see into the sky. As it currently stands, the shutter was recently sealed shut and cannot be opened. Folsom hopes the interior can be remodeled in the near future. The walls and wood-frame windows are all from the original build and have proven to be sturdy, though there are glaring cracks and plaster is coming off the walls. Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@ or on X @chris_meglio.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Drake Municipal Observatory, Waveland Golf Course at odds over lecture series
The Drake Municipal Observatory has helped the general public enjoy the wonders of space from Des Moines for more than a century. Throughout its existence, Drake astronomy professors have led the Public Nights Series, a Friday night lecture series for residents who have an interest in what's happening outside of Earth's stratosphere. Recent conflicts with the golf course that houses the observatory could interrupt future plans for the series and for the observatory as a whole. "My cause here is to keep this place going for another 100 years," said Herb Folsom, an astronomy professor at Drake for over 20 years and leader of the public event series. "It fills up every Friday night, and we've been doing that for over 100 years." The Public Nights Series holds lectures over three sessions each year: eight-week sessions in the spring and fall and a five-week session in the summer. The 2025 summer session runs June 13 to July 11. Each event, which runs about an hour, includes a lecture, a tour of the observatory and a chance for attendees to look through the telescopes. This year is the first time issues between the Waveland Golf Course and Drake Municipal Observatory have been reported. The observatory, which was built as a joint project between the city and the university in 1922, sits between the seventh and eighth holes with a driveway that cuts through the course. Its location isn't necessarily the problem, though, but more so the 8 p.m. start time of the event. The public event draws about 80 to 100 attendees, Folsom said, which creates traffic along the end of the course while golfers are finishing their rounds. "The City of Des Moines, Drake University, and C-Corporation (Waveland Golf Course operator) collaboratively agreed on an access approach that prioritizes the highest level of safety for all who use Waveland," said a written statement from the city of Des Moines. "We appreciate their continued support in ensuring a safe and coordinated experience for everyone at Waveland Golf Course and surrounding access area." Folsom agreed to move the event's start time back to 9:30 p.m. this summer to avoid any more problems. That decision, however, is a temporary one. The start time isn't a problem during other seasons because it's already dark by 8 p.m., Folsom said. "I don't want to fight that battle right now," Folsom said. "We've got to work something out before next summer because that 9:30 p.m. start time was just too late for most people." Frequent attendees of the event are upset about the change to the start time. A Facebook page that's not affiliated with the university has shared posts frustrated by the changes with attendees weighing in with comments. Also on the Drake Municipal Observatory Facebook page is a picture of a sign someone put up in front of the Waveland Golf Course, accusing Waveland of wanting to "keep astronomy off the golf course." Folsom knows the individual who put the sign up. It was taken down after a few days, but the city is unhappy about the displayed wording. The buildup of frustration between the two sides now has the future of the observatory in question. "Up until these past couple of weeks, I didn't think it was [in jeopardy]," Folsom said. "I got an email from Drake facilities and they said the city was really upset with the wording of that sign. And he basically said in his email that this could impact the continued running of the observatory." Despite this, Folsom said the level of concern is "minimal." Some of the regulars have suggested alternatives for next summer to Folsom, including dropping the summer series and holding a winter one in its place or extending the length of spring and fall series. The Drake Municipal Observatory is a university facility equipped with telescopes and other equipment needed to observe natural phenomena, specifically astronomical events. Planted in the middle of the Waveland Golf Course, it allows a clear view of the sky needed for its 125-year-old Warner and Swasey Telescope to see out into the pitch black. The observatory was designed by Frank E. Wetherell and built in 1922 with the partnership of Drake University and the city of Des Moines. The university provided the scientific instruments and staff, while the city supplied 0.23 acres of land and the funds to build the building. Daniel Morehouse, an astronomy professor who later led the university, played a huge part in the observatory's development. He became the university president in 1922 and served until his passing in 1941. To honor his contributions, he and his wife, Myrtle, had their ashes stored within the walls of the observatory. The Drake Municipal Building is the oldest observatory in the country, Folsom said. It will turn 103 years old in November. Inside the building is a museum-like setup downstairs with pictures of comets and planets, equipment dating back nearly 100 years and a gift shop. The main level features a solar system floor meant to project the planets' exact point in the sky when the building was constructed and a lecture room used for the classes. Upstairs is where the 125-year-old Warner and Swasey Telescope resides. It's paired with a shutter roof that slides open for the telescope to see into the sky. As it currently stands, the shutter was recently sealed shut and cannot be opened. Folsom hopes the interior can be remodeled in the near future. The walls and wood-frame windows are all from the original build and have proven to be sturdy, though there are glaring cracks and plaster is coming off the walls. Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@ or on X @chris_meglio. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Drake Observatory's Public Nights Series at odds with golf course
Reuters
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Zach Johnson feeling right at home at John Deere Classic
July 2 - Unofficial host Zach Johnson feels right at home at the John Deere Classic, where he starts for the 24th time on Thursday at the course where he has made the cut 16 consecutive times. The tournament is played at TPC Deere Run, just over the Iowa border and across the Mississippi River in Silvis, Ill. "It's going to sound strange, but my feet feel comfortable here," said Johnson, 49, whose "Mr. Iowa" credentials stem from growing up in Iowa City, attending Drake University is Des Moines and being born in Cedar Rapids. "I grew up on bent grass fairways, bent grass greens. I had a lengthy putting session yesterday and kind of just -- I'm not suggesting I'm going to putt great this week -- but felt like, man, here we go. It's hard to summarize that." For Johnson, he believes "boring" wins, and as a 12-time PGA Tour winner, the only style points he's concerned about are the gleam of the trophy on Sunday afternoon. Perhaps another byproduct of age and experience, Johnson is determined not to overthink anything from tee to green this week. "I think my game is at a point where execution is really the only -- is really the main thing I got to focus on, and I love that," said Johnson, who finished in the Top 10 at The Masters (T8) and Top 20 at the Texas Open (T18). "Every aspect of my game has been pretty solid. Everybody that knows me and knows me well, it's boring, but I love boring. I'm really good at being boring. So I love boring golf. It's everything here. It's the hills, the bumps, it's the rolls, it's the speed, it's just I'm comfortable. Doesn't mean it's going to happen. I think that answers why I've had a pretty consistent amount of arguably success." Outside of the Zurich Classic team event, Johnson has only one round under 70 since The Masters in April. Johnson tied for 82nd last week at Detroit Golf Club, scrambling through the final three rounds after an opening 65 at the Rocket Classic. He is at TPC Deere Run with greater expectations two weeks prior to his 20th start in an Open Championship. The last time the 2015 Open Championship winner was in the event at Royal Portrush, he missed the cut in 2019. Johnson has played on the weekend only once in the past four Opens. In his four starts prior (2015-18), Johnson won the Claret Jug and finished in the top 20 three consecutive years. While the John Deere Classic doesn't always boast a marquee field, Johnson said the 2025 event will prepare him for what's ahead. "This tournament has always had, if you call it that, a date that can be kind of difficult, right, as far as my peers go. It's going to be the best field statistically if you look from a World Golf Rankings standpoint. I don't really love that measure, but it's legitimate. So the buzz is out as to how good this golf course is and this tournament is." --Field Level Media
Axios
24-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Developers propose $197M in Des Moines housing projects
Housing developers proposed $197 million in Des Moines projects via tax credit applications this month. Why it matters: The developments aim to serve a diverse range of residents, including entry-level workers, students, seniors, people with disabilities, and families, supporting both community stability and economic growth. Catch up quick: The workforce housing tax credit (WHTC) program offers state tax incentives to support the construction or rehabilitation of housing in areas with workforce shortages, with $17.5 million available to Iowa's 11 most populous counties. By the numbers: In Des Moines, 11 proposed projects will create a total of 668 new or rehabilitated housing units. Zoom in: The largest development is a $77 million conversion of downtown's Financial Center building, 606 Walnut St., into commercial space and 209 apartments. The Aston, 603 E. 6th St., would be a nearly $50 million new construction project with 161 apartments. Drake University's vacant Ross Hall, 1214 31st St., would be demolished to make way for a $17 million, 78-apartment project.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Graduation is here, for rising seniors it's time to think about the future
DES MOINES, Iowa — Several area high schools are celebrating their graduates this weekend, and for those now moving into their final year of school, it's time to think about the future. Plenty of maroon caps and gowns at the Knapp Center Friday night, and Dowling Catholic High School held its graduation ceremony on the campus of Drake University. While the class of 2025 gets ready to head off to college or trade school, the military, or into the workforce, high school counselors say it's never too early for the next round of high schoolers to start thinking about the future. And that can … at times … be pretty overwhelming. 'The fear of moving away from home, maybe, or thinking about choosing the wrong path. And it's being in something that doesn't take them where they want to go. I think that can cause a lot of fear. And then, you know, just getting good grades, passing courses, and being able to take the next step of going to a trade school or doing whatever they're looking for in the future, is making sure they have what they need to do that,' said Beatrice Kramer at the Iowa Virtual Academy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 63% of high school graduates went on to study at a 2- or 4-year college or university last year. That means many soon-to-be seniors will spend this summer and next year investigating schools in and out of state. High school counselors say it's always important to look at the programs being offered, the size of the institution, and to get a feel for the campus by taking a visit. However, college degrees aren't the only option for recent graduates. 'We're seeing more and more the need for students or people to enter the fields of trades. That's a lot of different opportunities with vocational training. Whether it just be an apprenticeship or little training programs that are shorter and they're not as long as maybe some of your college experiences might be. So they can start to investigate those trades, and those are a good option. And they have good salaries, so those can be beneficial for students as well,' said Kramer. If your student really doesn't know what they want to do, there are some online tools that can help. Iowa Workforce Development has curated a portal of career exploration and information. Some of their features include 'Hot Jobs,' which projects occupations with strong growth potential, as well as helping individuals get connected in professions that may require licensing or coursework. The U.S. Department of Labor and the AmericanJobCenter network teamed up for CareerOneStop, which guides fresh graduates through career exploration, job training, and the job search. To explore their services, visit the CareerOneStop website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
