In 1971 Drain was appointed a member of the Board of Regents, Texas State University System, with reappointments in 1977 and 1983. Drain was the president of both the student body and alumni association and chairman of its board of regents and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by SHSU in 1984.

In 1990, the General Purpose Classroom building was renamed in his honor "for countless contributions to the Texas State University System, and to the State of Texas as well as for his faithful and dedicated service to education, and for the exceptional leadership and public service he has shown on behalf of his fellow man."