Dear Friends,

It is with profound sadness I inform you
that Dr. Constantine (Taki) Papadakis passed away on Sunday.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer late 2007 and died of pulmonary complications.

Born in Greece, Taki received his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. After serving in industry and academia, he joined Drexel in 1995 as the President.  He has been recognized as one of the most outstanding academic, business and civic leaders ever. Taki grew the university into a full-scope academic institution and a national leader in higher education.  As a civil engineer himself, Taki took great pride in the engineering profession and in experiential education.

Mr. Chuck Pennoni, a Drexel alum, longtime friend of the University, and former Chairman and member of the Board of Trustees, will be serving as the Interim President.  Chuck heads Pennoni Associates, an engineering design firm he founded
in 1965.  He served as Drexel President in 1994 and 1995, when former president Richard Breslin left, and he helped select Taki. 

Setting the stage for success, Taki left with us a very strong institution and a wonderful legacy, which inspires us to achieve goals others might imagine unattainable.  As we look ahead, Drexel and the College of Nursing and Health Professions will continue to work diligently in celebrating the many achievements
and the life of Dr. Constantine Papadakis, and to fulfill his vision of technological prominence in education and reform of public health and its delivery.
Please join me in extending our sincere condolences to the family, friends and relatives of our great leader and friend Constantine (Taki) Papadakis.  He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean