Remarks by Pres. Papadakis at Philadelphia National Summit
April 24, 1997

Independence Hall - April 24, 1997

"Mayor Rendell, distinguished guests, members of the news media, thank you. I am delighted to be with you today, here, in the shadow of Independence Hall, where more than two centuries ago, representatives of the original 13 colonies gathered in the first true spirit of community service, giving of themselves for the purpose of improving their communities and the lives of their neighbors. Today, we are here preparing for another historic gathering in the cradle of liberty: The National Summit for Community Service.

Throughout its long history, Drexel University, has been committed to serving the needs of the community. In fact, it was through the voluntary establishment of classes to educate the working women of Philadelphia in 1881, that led our founder, Anthony J. Drexel, to establish what is today Drexel University.

And on the eve of this historic summit Drexel stands ready to pledge its greatest resource, its students, supervised by our faculty. By the year 2000, we commit ourselves to the following ideals:

- We will double the 150 students serving as mentors in West Philadelphia Schools.

- We will increase by 50 percent student participation in programs like Habitat for Humanity and Philadelphia Cares, which improve and rehabilitate community and public properties.

- We will expand nutritional education programs to school children and pregnant teenagers, as well as use the Internet to bring information about AIDS and alcohol to high school students.

- We will seek out new partnerships with local industry to teach scientific and technical skills to community youths through the enhanced education in science and engineering program.

- And finally, we will create incentives that encourage our students to "give back" by regularly engaging in community service.

Drexel's commitment to meeting the needs of its community, while educating its students for a pro-active citizenship, is, as I have outlined here today, multifaceted, innovative and evolving to meet the changing needs of our society."

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