The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University is dedicated to improving civility and developing ethical leaders throughout the world.

The global home of CHARACTER COUNTS! As a global initiative that transforms lives and strengthens communities, our mission is to improve civility through character development and ethical leadership. Through public awareness and programming grounded in research, The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior. Our professio

nal staff works with leaders to shape culture and develop character skills through professional development, assessments, curricular resources, and ongoing consultation to help schools and youth-serving organizations improve academic competencies, social-emotional skills, and citizenship, leadership, and service performance.

We're so proud to work with On the Road with Steve Hartman to provide heart-warming videos and lessons to teach kindness...
05/23/2026

We're so proud to work with On the Road with Steve Hartman to provide heart-warming videos and lessons to teach kindness and character.

Check out Steve's most recent story on CBS News and make sure to check out Kindness101.com

https://youtu.be/XvX0KbeD2fg?si=LOhmf4qrcEfuoX5p

Schools teach kids how to read, write and do math. But what about a...

Nominations close TOMORROW at midnight! Don’t miss your chance to recognize individuals, schools, teams, and organizatio...
04/30/2026

Nominations close TOMORROW at midnight! Don’t miss your chance to recognize individuals, schools, teams, and organizations who lead with character across Iowa. Take a few minutes today to make your nomination count. https://raycenter.drake.edu/iowa-character-awards/

!

Only 3 days left to submit Iowa Character Awards nominations! Take a few minutes to recognize the people, schools, and o...
04/29/2026

Only 3 days left to submit Iowa Character Awards nominations! Take a few minutes to recognize the people, schools, and organizations who exemplify character across Iowa. Nominations close Friday at midnight: https://raycenter.drake.edu/iowa-character-awards/

!

Important reminder! Iowa Character Awards nominations are due Friday at midnight. Don’t miss the opportunity to recogniz...
04/26/2026

Important reminder! Iowa Character Awards nominations are due Friday at midnight. Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations who make character count every day.

Submit your nomination before the deadline: https://raycenter.drake.edu/iowa-character-awards/

!

Great athletic teams do more than compete, they lead with character. 🏅Nominate an athletic team or organization that dem...
04/24/2026

Great athletic teams do more than compete, they lead with character. 🏅
Nominate an athletic team or organization that demonstrates integrity, teamwork, and leadership for the Iowa Character Awards.
⏰ Nominations close May 1 at midnight
Submit at IowaCharacterAwards.org
!

Let’s work together to bring attention to what makes Iowa great – our people! Our Iowa Character Awards highlight Iowa’s role...

Address

2702 Forest Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50311

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15152711910

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center:

Shortcuts

Share