The greatest strength of the modern urban university is that it can marshal an exceptionally wide range of talent to serve the advance of knowledge and progress. At Drexel, we strive to be a hub that makes connections between visionaries—students, scholars, scientists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, neighbors, community partners, international research collaborators and more. The positive impact of these connections is felt across every sphere of Drexel’s activities.

Academics

Flight of the BEES: Drexel’s newest department—Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES)—highlights the collaborative potential of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. BEES unites Drexel and Academy scientists for groundbreaking research, and educates students under the motto “Field Experience, Early & Often.” Read more from ANSP.org.

Bicoastal Business Education: Reacting to the needs of the Sacramento region, LeBow College of Business announced the first undergraduate program at Drexel Sacramento. The business administration degree completion program will help students with associate degrees increase their career potential with a Drexel education. Read more from Drexel Sacramento.

Research Partnerships

Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: The partnership between Drexel researchers and the Institute for Drug Research of Hebrew University of Jerusalem moved four tracks of groundbreaking drug delivery research—targeting multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, asthma and skin cancer—closer to clinical and commercial readiness this year. Read more from the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Connecting to China: The June 2012 opening of the Drexel-SARI Center at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences gave Drexel a base for research collaborations, corporate outreach and student programs in China. Read more from DrexelNOW.

The Future of Plasma: The W.M. Keck Foundation partnered with the A.J. Drexel Plasma Institute through a $1 million grant to study how plasma science can create engineering and medicine breakthroughs. This follows a $1 million Keck grant in 2007 for Drexel’s work in nanotube-based probes. Read more from DrexelNOW.

Support

Dana and David Dornsife: The Drexel legacy of Dana, class of 1983, and her husband now includes a $10 million gift establishing the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships (see below), as well as supporting the Dornsife Office for Experiential Learning in LeBow College of Business. Read more from DrexelNOW.

Philip B. Lindy: Phil received the second Joseph Jacovini Outstanding Service Award, Drexel’s highest honor for non-alumni service, in a year that saw the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement grow into a University-wide institute, and the many Drexel-community partnerships he facilitates continue to thrive. Read more from We Inspire.

John A. Daskalakis: The 1963 graduate cemented his reputation as a premier benefactor of Drexel Athletics with a $3 million gift for renovations of the Daskalakis Athletic Center, home to Division I athletic programs and host to a growing number of international sporting events. Read more from SB Nation Philly.

Civic Engagement

Partnering for Neighborhoods: The new Dana and David Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships is the focal point of Drexel’s efforts to teach and collaborate with neighbors in the heart of West Philadelphia, and a model for urban civic engagement by a university.  Read more from the Philadelphia Tribune.

Music and Milestones in China: Drexel served as Education Partner for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2012 Residency Week and Tour of China. Drexel helped connect Chinese music fans to educational opportunities, and Orchestra musicians joined Drexel to open its joint center with the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute. Read more from DrexelNOW.

Enhancing Public School Options: The Philadelphia School Partnership awarded a Great Schools Fund grant to a collaboration led by Drexel to plan for potential new and expanded public schools in the West Philadelphia neighborhoods near the Drexel campus. Read more from The Notebook.

Breaking Through Educational Barriers: Drexel hosted a new summer program created by Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia to help low-income Philadelphia students transition to high school. The Peggy and Richard Greenawalt Program is named in honor of Drexel’s chairman and his wife, instrumental supporters of Breakthrough. Read more from  Breakthroughphilly.org.

2013 And Beyond: The ExCITe Center
Newly opened, ExCITe (short for Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies) will incubate and showcase research combining cutting-edge technological expertise with creativity and artistry. The center is a cornerstone of Drexel’s planned Innovation Neighborhood, and a catalyst for unlocking the potential that can be realized by adding the arts—“A”—to traditional strengths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—“STEM”—to create “STEAM.”

Collaboration > Growth > Achievement > Strategic Plan > Fundraising > Finances