Drexel University

Drexel University
Name	Drexel University
Established	1891
Founder	Anthony J. Drexel
Type	Private research university
President	John Fry
City	Philadelphia
State	Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Endowment	$896.8 million (2022)
Students	22,344 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	1,997 (Fall 2022)
Colors	Blue and gold
Nickname	Dragons
Affiliations	NAICU, URA
Website	drexel.edu

Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, the institution is renowned for its cooperative education program, a model that integrates rigorous academic study with professional work experience. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and comprises fifteen colleges and schools offering over 200 degree programs to its student body.

History

The institution was chartered in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry through the philanthropy of Anthony J. Drexel, a prominent figure in Gilded Age finance and a partner in Drexel, Morgan & Co.. Its founding mission was to provide practical education for men and women of all backgrounds, a progressive concept for the era. Under the leadership of its first president, James MacAlister, the institute quickly expanded its curriculum. It was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, reflecting its growing emphasis on engineering and technology, and achieved university status in 1970, adopting its current name. Key historical developments include the 1941 merger with the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the 2002 acquisition of MCP Hahnemann University, which formed the foundation of its modern College of Medicine.

Academics

Drexel is organized into fifteen colleges and schools, including the College of Engineering, the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business, the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, and the Dornsife School of Public Health. Its hallmark is the cooperative education program, one of the largest and oldest in the United States, where students alternate periods of classroom study with full-time professional employment with over 1,700 employers globally. The university is a top-tier research institution, with significant research expenditures and centers focused on areas like biomedical engineering, materials science, and urban health. Drexel also operates several notable graduate and professional schools, such as the Thomas R. Kline School of Law and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Campus

The university's main urban campus is situated in Philadelphia's University City, adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania and sharing close ties with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, including the iconic Main Building and the futuristic Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building. Beyond the main campus, Drexel operates the Queen Lane Campus for its medical programs, the Sacramento Center in California, and has a significant presence at the University City Science Center. The university has undertaken substantial development projects, such as the innovation neighborhood uCity Square.

Student life

Student life is facilitated by over 300 student organizations, including professional societies, cultural clubs, and performing arts groups like the Drexel Players. The campus is home to several fraternities and sororities under the North American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference. Major annual events include Dragon Day and homecoming festivities. Students have access to facilities like the Recreation Center and the Daskalakis Athletic Center, and the university's location in Philadelphia provides easy access to institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fairmount Park.

Athletics

Drexel's athletic teams, known as the Drexel Dragons, compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the Coastal Athletic Association. The university fields 18 varsity teams, with basketball and lacrosse being particularly prominent. The men's basketball team has made appearances in the NCAA Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament. The men's soccer and women's basketball teams have also achieved conference championships. Teams play in venues such as the Daskalakis Athletic Center and Vidas Field.

Notable alumni and faculty

Drexel's alumni have achieved distinction across diverse fields. In business and technology, notable figures include former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and billionaire investor and philanthropist Bennett S. LeBow. In science and engineering, alumni include NASA astronaut Christopher J. Ferguson and materials pioneer Nora Stanton Blatch Barney. The arts are represented by painter and illustrator N.C. Wyeth and television personality Tucker Carlson. Distinguished faculty have included physicist George P. Hess, computer scientist William Regli, and former president of the American Medical Association, Nancy W. Dickey.

Category:Universities and colleges in Philadelphia Category:Private universities and colleges in Pennsylvania Category:Educational institutions established in 1891