Details: The e-newsletter for Drexel Alumni

Details in Brief

Click below for a video preview of the July 2012 Drexel Details alumni e-newsletter, hosted by Drexel student Chelsea Pullen '13 at Buckley Field.

Alumni Association News

Drexel University Alumni Association Board Election Results

The Alumni Association would like to congratulate the following re-elected individuals to its Board of Governors: James B. Dougherty, Jr. Esq. '78, '81; Susan B. Daroff '70; Paul K. Johnson '92, '07; Robert S. Lazzaro '82, '96; Jeffrey M. Lisinicchia, CPA '90; and Ira Taffer , Ph.D. '79, '83.

And welcome to Michael E. Conti '00, '03; Charles N. Sacco '06; and Kevin M. Turcotte '08 who have all been elected to their first term on the Board.

To learn more about the Alumni Association Board of Governors and to view a list of the current Board membership, click here.

Co-op Employers Needed

As Drexel University continues to grow its student population, the need to develop quality Co-op opportunities for our students is on the rise. This is especially the case in chemical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering, chemistry, biology, finance, accounting, and interior design. In 2012-13, we expect that nearly 5,000 undergraduate students in more than 75 majors will participate in Co-op.

As alumni, you are keenly aware that Co-op promotes student learning in the areas of problem solving, personal and social responsibility, civic knowledge and engagement, intercultural awareness, and most importantly, practical application of academic concepts in real-world, professional settings. Like many Drexel alumni have shared, their Co-op experiences had a lasting impact on their education and career. If you are interested in becoming a Co-op employer or want to learn more, click here.

Chris Bilotta Co-op Chronicles from Crete, by Natasha Pande '13

Co-op Chronicles from Crete is an online journal written for Drexel alumni by Natasha Pande '13, a Drexel senior communications student currently on Co-op in Crete, Greece. Click here to read Natasha's second journal entry where she highlights some of her experiences exploring the history and customs of Greece before beginning her Co-op.

Olympics Drexel Graduate Competes in the 2012 Olympic Games

The Alumni Association and the Drexel community wish Steve Kasprzyk '05 the best of luck as he represents team U.S.A. in rowing at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London later this month. Steve is a native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, and began rowing in 2000 as a freshman at Drexel. He helped the Drexel men’s freshman eight qualify at the 2001 IRA National Championships and the following season, he rowed in the men’s varsity eight boat that placed fifth in the finals at the 2002 Dad Vail Regatta.

To learn more about Steve on the official website of the U.S. Rowing Organization, click here. And don't forget to tune into the 2012 Olympic Games starting July 27!

Drexel Year of the Dragon: Celebrating Dragon Talents in July

The Year of the Dragon theme for July is "Celebrating Dragon Talents." This month we will share the unique interests and talents of our alumni through a series of "how to" events and online videos. If you're in the Philadelphia area, join us for our "how to" event on July 22: Philadelphia Wok 'n Walk Tour.

We know that Drexel alumni are a gifted bunch, so we're asking you to help us celebrate Dragon talents by sending us your "how to" videos sharing a special skill or talent. Can you play an instrument, change a tire, or grill the perfect steak? Whatever your talent may be, take a few minutes to film your step-by-step "how to" video and send it to us at alumni@drexel.edu or post it to our Facebook fanpage and we'll share it on our official YouTube Channel and on the Year of the Dragon website.

Check out the video below on how to tie a bow tie by David Maver '10 and to view the other "how to" videos that alumni have already submitted on our YouTube Channel.

Celebrating Dragons at Play in August

Drexel alumni work hard, but they also play hard, and that's why we're "Celebrating Dragons at Play" during the month of August. All month long we'll be enjoying the sunshine and continuing our "summer swing" baseball series as we travel to major and minor league games throughout the country. Click here to see if we'll be at a stadium near you.

Our other Year of the Dragon event for August will be Dragons Down the Shore: Alumni Networking Happy Hour in Avalon, New Jersey. Mark your calendars for August 18, and join us for some fun in the sun!

All I Really Need to Know I Learned at Drexel: 366 Drexel Life Lessons

We're still collecting our Drexel life lessons so send us yours today. So far we've received 235 life lessons from alumni, which means we only have 131 more to go before the end of 2012. Send us your life lesson and we'll share it on our website, Facebook, and Twitter. And remember, you'll get a promo code toward commemorative Year of the Dragon prizes! More

Today's life lesson comes from Kyle Esposito '09: "Basketball tip 101: A Dragon can eat a Quaker."

Stay in the loop and visit the Year of the Dragon website today for more information on all of our exciting Year of the Dragon events, programs, activities, and giveaways!

Experience the World with the Drexel Alumni Travel Program

As part of its commitment to lifelong learning, the Drexel University Alumni Association invites all alumni to take part in our exciting travel opportunities in 2013. Join other alumni for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience other cultures through a combination of educational forums and exciting excursions.

Upcoming trips include: The Mediterranean and Greek Isles; National Parks and Lodges of the Old West; Prague, Czech Republic; Alaskan Frontiers and Glaciers; The Italian Riviera; and The Rhine Riverboat Tour. For more information and to register, click here.

If you reserve your spot on the trip to Prague before September 20, you can enjoy significant savings of up to $1,000 per couple. Find out how.

Alumni Resources

Click here for more online alumni networks.

Alumni Benefits & Services

Click here for more benefits and services offered to Drexel alumni!

The Drexel University Visa Signature® Card: Reward Yourself this Summer
Sign-up today for the Drexel University Signature® card and get a $100 Statement Credit with first purchase!¹ Plus, you'll earn one point for every net dollar spent everywhere Visa is accepted. Redeem points for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more!

The Drexel University Visa Signature Card also provides great benefits, including: 0% Intro APR² on purchases and balance transfers for fifteen billing cycles, and after that a variable APR, currently 9.99% to 21.99%²; no annual fee²; no preset spending limit,³ and no limit to the number of points you can earn; 24-hour concierge service⁴; VIP access to special entertainment, dining and sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games; signature privileges, including merchant upgrades, offers and savings; Zero Fraud Liability Protection,⁵ Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver and Travel Accident Insurance, Warranty Manager, Travel and Emergency Assistance⁶

Plus, with every Visa Signature Card purchase, U.S. Bank will make a contribution to the Drexel University Alumni Association! Hurry, offer ends 09/30/2012. More

Campus and Community

Youth Summer Soccer Camp at Drexel
Alumni with children in the Philadelphia area can register now until July 25 for a youth soccer day camp at Drexel from July 30 to August 2. With more than 30 years of combined camp experience, the men's soccer staff will make this camp both lots of fun and a great learning experience for kids of all skill levels. For all camp information and online registration, click here.

Colleges & Schools

Drexel Appoints Dr. Daniel Schidlow as College of Medicine Dean
Internationally recognized clinician in pediatric diseases Dr. Daniel V. Schidlow has been appointed Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean and senior vice president, medical affairs at the Drexel University College of Medicine. Schidlow will assume the role from his current position as interim dean and senior vice president. More

Earn Your Drexel MBA in the Suburbs
Taught by the same professors as Main Campus, the 24-month, part-time MBA program in Malvern, PA offers the skills and concentrations to propel careers in any industry. Malvern Campus students have access to amenities such as priority registration, career advising, professional development programming and networking events. More

Alumni Spotlight

Alisa Melekhina '11
Philosophy

When you ask someone about his or her hobbies or extracurricular activities, you usually expect to hear soccer or photography. What does not immediately come to mind is chess. However, that is exactly the case for recent Drexel graduate Alisa Melekhina who competed in the 2012 U.S. Women's Chess Championship this past May.

Alisa began her journey at Drexel in the fall of 2009 as a philosophy major. Typically, Drexel students graduate in four or five years, but Alisa graduated in just two years. More

Career Column

Chris Bilotta Your Career Retainer
Chris Bilotta '77, '84

"LeBron's Leadership Lessons"
Chris breaks down how NBA star LeBron James completed as successful a one-year turnaround as any organization could ever hope for. More

Julia Levy Career Zone
Julia Levy '93

"How to Win Over a Hiring Manager"
Make the most of your next job interview by following Julia's simple steps for winning over the hiring manager. More

Alumni Career Services

Alumni Poll: Online Workshops
Feedback from our graduates is essential to the continued success of Alumni Association events and programming. If you are a member of the Alumni Association Networking Group on LinkedIn, please click here to visit the group and answer our one-question poll about online workshops. If you are not one of the 9,500 alumni who already belong to our official LinkedIn group, click here to join today!

Upcoming Events

Philadelphia Metro Area

Philadelphia Wok 'n Walk Tour
Join us at Joseph Poon's Chef Kitchen on July 22 in Chinatown for a private lesson on how to make a variety of Dim Sum treats, including wontons, shu mai and dumplings. After this hands-on experience, you'll take a mini Chinatown tour with Chef Poon and cap-off the afternoon with a three-course meal back at the Kitchen. More

Dragons Down the Shore: Alumni Networking Happy Hour
Have some fun in the sun with Drexel alumni down the shore this summer! Join the Alumni Association and Drexel grads at the Windrift Hotel for a networking happy hour as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon theme for August — Dragons at Play! Kick-off a night out in Avalon, New Jersey, or stroll over after a day at the beach. More

Alumni Night at the Phillies
The Drexel University Alumni Association invites alumni to a night at the ballpark as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Washington Nationals! Meet alumni from the Philadelphia area before the game at Chickie's & Pete's and then head to Citizens Bank Park for Fan Appreciation Night! More

Around the U.S.

Durham Alumni Night at the Ballpark
Swing into summer with Drexel alumni as the Durham Bulls meet the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on July 19! Gather before the game at the Herald Sun Home Run Patio to meet Drexel alumni from the Durham area while enjoying a two hour all-you-can-eat picnic buffet of ballpark treats, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken. More

San Diego Day at the Races
Join Drexel alumni for a summer get-together and an afternoon at the Del Mar Racetrack's outdoor Pacific Pavilion on July 29. Catch up with area alumni while enjoying sandwiches, salads, soft drinks, and dessert. More

Alumni Night at Pageant of the Masters
Get your tickets now to join Drexel alumni for the popular Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters on August 4! Before the performance, enjoy a dinner with Drexel alumni from throughout Southern California at Tivoli Too!, located across the street from the festival grounds. More

San Francisco Alumni Night at the Ballpark
Drexel alumni in the San Francisco area are invited to a night at the ballpark on August 24! Gather before the game at Pete's Tavern, then we'll head across the street to cheer as the San Francisco Giants meet the Atlanta Braves! More

Houston Alumni Night at the Ballpark
Join Drexel alumni for a night at the ballpark and cheer as the Houston Astros meet the National League East Champion Philadelphia Phillies on September 15! Gather before the game in the top tier of the FiveSeven Patio to meet Drexel alumni from the greater Houston area while enjoying ballpark treats and a cash bar. More

Details is a monthly publication of the Drexel University Alumni Association
For more information, call 1.888.DU.GRADS or e-mail alumni@drexel.edu

¹Accounts must be open and in good standing (not past due) to earn statement credit.

²The 0% introductory APR applies to purchases and balance transfers [made within 30 days of account opening] and is valid for the first fifteen billing cycles. The introductory rate does not apply to cash advances. Thereafter, the APR may vary and as of 6-01-12, the undiscounted variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers is 9.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness. The variable APR for Cash Advances is 23.99%. Cash Advance fee: 4% of each advance amount, $10 minimum. Convenience Check fee: 3% of each check amount, $5 minimum. Cash Equivalent fee: 4% of each cash amount, $20 minimum. Balance Transfer fee: 3% of each transfer amount, $5 minimum. There is a $2 minimum finance charge where interest is due. The annual fee is $0. Foreign Transaction fee: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars. 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency. We may change APRs, fees, and other Account terms in the future based on your experience with U.S. Bank National Association ND and its affiliates as provided under the Card member Agreement and applicable law. We apply your minimum payment to balances with lower APRs first. Amounts paid over the minimum payment will be applied in the order of highest to lowest APR balances.

³No preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Individual transactions are authorized by card issuer based on factors such as account history, credit record and payment resources. Card issuer will preset an upper limit for revolving balances and cash advances.

⁴Cardmembers are responsible for the cost of any goods or services purchased by Visa Signature Concierge on card members’ behalf.

⁵U.S. Bank provides zero fraud liability for unauthorized transactions. Card member must notify U.S. Bank promptly of any unauthorized use. Certain conditions and limitations may apply.

⁶Some limitations may apply. Details are provided to card members.

The creditor and issuer of Drexel University Card is U.S. Bank National Association ND, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.