As we begin another academic year, I would like to welcome our new students, faculty and staff, as well as the returning members of the Drexel community. I extend a special welcome to our new academic leaders: Provost Stephen Director, Drexel University College of Medicine Dean Richard Homan and Steinbright Career Development Center Executive Director and Associate Vice Provost Peter Franks.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all students, faculty and staff to celebrate the formal beginning of the academic year at our Founders Day Convocation on October 18 at 11 a.m. in the Main Building Auditorium. At Convocation, our new provost Dr. Stephen Director will give the keynote address, sharing his vision for the University’s academic and research programs and activities.

Founders Day commemorates those who established the institutions that form today’s Drexel University: Anthony J. Drexel, founder of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (1891); Constantine Hering, Jacob Jeanes and Walter Williamson, founders of Homeopathic College of Pennsylvania — later Hahnemann Medical College (1848); and William J. Mullen, founder of Female Medical College —later Woman’s Medical College and Medical College of Pennsylvania (1850).

The University’s founders were pioneers. Drexel continues their commitment to excellence by bringing innovative academic and research programs to our campuses. Drexel this fall is introducing two electronic services for the University community to utilize in the classroom and in their leisure time. The Hagerty Library on the University City Main Campus and the Health Sciences Library on the Center City Hahnemann Campus recently formed a partnership with Google Scholar to provide students, faculty and staff with free, direct access to licensed electronic journals and online scholarly materials such as peer-reviewed papers, theses and abstracts. I encourage you to visit the libraries’ Web site, www.library.drexel.edu/, to learn how Google Scholar can enhance your studies, scholarship and research.

Outside of the classroom, the University launched the Drexel Music Choice Program (DMCP) to offer students access to the iTunes or Napster music providers at no cost or at discounted rates. Drexel is one of the first universities in the country to join with both iTunes and Napster. For more information on DMCP membership, visit www.drexel.edu/dmcp.

Google Scholar

C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni Interim President