On April 13 the University will welcome prospective freshmen and their families at Accepted Students Day. One aspect of Drexel they will learn about is the new Pennoni Honors College, named for Board of Trustees chairman and distinguished alumnus C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni ’63, ’66, Hon. ’92. The Board recently voted to make our successful 12-year-old honors program a college and name it for Chairman Pennoni in tribute to his many contributions to Drexel.

The Pennoni Honors College did not happen overnight. As an undergraduate program, it grew in popularity, from 33 students in 1991 to more than 1,000 in 2002. The measurable quality of students also rose during that time. The 101 honors freshmen in 1996 averaged a 3.5 GPA and 1294 on the SAT. In 2002, the 328 honors freshmen averaged a 3.9 GPA and 1350 on the SAT.

The Pennoni Honors College does not have its own faculty or award degrees. That is because it is a learning community of scholars who share a common goal of achieving intellectual excellence and personal growth. The Pennoni Honors College will promote increased academic excellence and achievement among our top student scholars by introducing them to special programs and an expanded curriculum that presents unique opportunities for learning and co-curricular endeavors.

The Board acknowledged the work of Dr. Mark Greenberg by appointing him the College’s dean. As director of the former honors program, Dean Greenberg worked with our faculty, staff and students to develop a program that challenges the creativity and intellect of its students. As the Pennoni Honors College grows, Dean Greenberg and our professors will continue to expand upon the existing interdisciplinary academic programs to develop more encompassing, imaginative courses of study.

Please join me in wishing Dean Greenberg, the directors of interdisciplinary programs and faculty and students associated with the Pennoni Honors College continued success. On behalf of the entire Drexel community, I thank Chairman Pennoni and his wife, Annette, for their commitment to our University and the Honors College.

C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni Interim President