Welcome back to our returning students and faculty members and special greetings to our new students and professors.

We begin the 2004-05 academic year on a high note, as Drexel has again been ranked one of the best national doctoral universities by U.S.News & World Report. The University’s continuing advancement in the U.S. News rankings is a worthy tribute to the commitment and hard work of the entire Drexel community.

While we can take pride in our 2005 rankings leap, we cannot be satisfied. We must keep improving the University to maintain our momentum and move up in the rankings.

One way we can continue to enhance Drexel is by strengthening communication among students, faculty and staff. Students can meet with their faculty advisors and visit the University’s support offices for assistance with their academic programs. They can also participate in the University’s student satisfaction surveys to let us know how we are doing. I encourage students to email me at papadakis@drexel.edu throughout the year to let me know how their courses are going and share their thoughts on the University and its programs.

In addition to facilitating communication, I invite students to email their suggestions to me for improving the University. I am always impressed by the creativity and thoughtfulness of our students’ ideas, and over the years, Drexel has implemented their recommendations, such as senior exit surveys and teaming up with the City of Philadelphia to help keep the University City community clean. I am pleased at Commencement each year to present on behalf of the University a $500 cash award to the undergraduate and graduate student who submit the best idea. I look forward to our students’ suggestions and thank them in advance.

Again, congratulations to our students, faculty and staff for helping to make Drexel one of the best doctoral universities in the country. Best wishes for an even more successful 2004-05 academic year.

C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni Interim President