Drexel students have long been natural entrepreneurs because of our technology- and business-based education, as well as the real-world knowledge they acquire in our cooperative education program. Beginning this spring, the Laurence A. Baiada Center at Drexel will provide multi-disciplinary resources for students who dream of starting their own high-tech businesses.

The Baiada Center is one of the newest solutions to encouraging Philadelphia’s most promising entrepreneurs to remain in the Delaware Valley region after they complete their college education. The Center was funded last summer by Drexel alumnus and trustee Mel Baiada ’82, ’85, the founder of Bluestone Software and Bluestone Consulting, and an anonymous donor.

During the past several years, Drexel faculty have worked to promote entrepreneurship among our students. In 1999, Dr. Milton Silver, professor of management, and William Deane, instructor of management, created the Drexel Entrepreneurial Development Center and E-Day, an awards event for student entrepreneurs. Dr. Bruce Eisenstein, Arthur J. Rowland Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, oversees two contests that award cash prizes to Drexel students with innovative ideas for businesses. These faculty members, as well as Drexel’s deans and faculty from our colleges and schools, have been actively involved in the development of the Baiada Center.

The support of faculty and alumni, and especially the generosity and dedication of Mr. Baiada, will pay dividends for both Drexel students and Philadelphia. The city is expanding every year with high-tech businesses and it is fertile ground for exciting new business ventures. Drexel looks forward to seeing its graduates become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni Interim President