Dear Alumni and Friends,

According to the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Dragon began in January this year.  Dragons are driven, unafraid of challenges.  They are fierce and passionate in all they do.

It was with this undaunted Dragon courage that we announced the public phase of Dream It. Do It. Drexel – A Campaign for the Future on November 19, 2011.

The stated goal of the Campaign is $400 million, and thanks to the generosity of thousands of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, we are nearing 75% of that goal, with more than two years left still left for others to join in the success.

At his speech to launch the public phase of our Campaign John Fry challenged, ". . . every Dragon in this room tonight to turn his or her passion towards realizing our ambitious agenda." And that agenda, set forth in Drexel's new strategic plan, includes a vision for:

• Scholarship and access
• Improved physical environment
• Community Initiatives
• Enhanced global reputation

Part of this agenda includes reaching even higher as a multi-disciplinary University. The partnership with the Academy of Natural Sciences announced in October is already bringing significant benefits to both institutions. The formation of the Drexel Autism Public Health Research Institute (APHRI) has established the first autism research center focused on public health science in the country, already being watched by our peers. And our commitment to the fields of energy and the environment means that Drexel will be leading the way toward solutions for complex issues impacting our planet.

The magnanimity of so many Dragons has already propelled Drexel into the top 100 research universities in the United States. With your continued support, Dragons will be leading the way into the future.

I'd love to know your thoughts on Drexel's new vision! Please contact me at ead52@drexel.edu or (215) 895-2436 with your suggestions, ideas and input.
Thank you again for your investment in Drexel University. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth A. Dale
Senior Vice President
Institutional Advancement

John W. Via III Establishes Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering

To John W. Via III, MS CoE ’92, MS CoE ’94, education is essential to his personal development. “There are always new discoveries, best practices, and advances in technology,” he says. “Continuing education keeps your skills fresh and allows you to gain new knowledge.”

John should know. He has a bachelor’s degree (in Chemical Engineering), two master’s degrees from Drexel (in Chemical Engineering and Engineering Management), three other master’s degrees (in Engineering Science, Manufacturing Systems, and Liberal Arts), and a doctorate (in Engineering Management). In addition, as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, he teaches graduate courses in engineering management and production and operations management.

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Richard P. Brown, Jr., Honors Father’s Legacy in the New Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building

Richard P. “Dick” Brown, Jr., Esq., wasn’t at all sure he wanted to talk to Drexel about his gift to the College of Arts and Sciences. “Why do you want to interview me?” he asks. Only with the assurance that the article will focus on his father, Mr. Richard P. Brown, Sr., ’03, HD ’47, does he acquiesce.

A 1903 graduate of the Evening College at Drexel Institute and the recipient of an honorary doctorate in Engineering in 1947, Mr. Brown (1884–1976) served as vice chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees from 1946 to 1956 and then as chair from 1956 to 1958. He remained honorary chairman for the rest of his life. A founding member of the A.J. Drexel Society, Mr. Brown received the A.J. Drexel Paul Award in 1970. He established The Richard P. Brown Scholarship Fund in 1960, and a lab in Stratton Hall at the College of Arts and Sciences also bears his name.

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Dr. Brian Alper Relishes the Ability to Give Back to the College of Medicine

Brian Scott Alper, M.D., M.S.P.H., HU ’96, has returned to his childhood home in Northeast Philadelphia. Based in Ipswich, Mass., he is here to visit his parents, Sandy and Al Alper.

Not yet 40, Brian has taken an idea he originated in medical school some 18 years ago and developed it into a thriving initiative called DynaMed, a medical reference database. The success of this venture has brought the luxury of giving back, and he recently made a sizable gift to the general scholarship fund of Drexel University College of Medicine. But through his ongoing work on DynaMed, he gives back to the College of Medicine and the medical field every day.

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