The University will celebrate the grand unveiling of our “Mario the Magnificent” dragon sculpture 11 a.m. on December 4 in the new Dragon Park at 33rd and Market Streets.

“Mario” was created by renowned sculptor Eric Berg, who has received numerous commissions and awards for his work and has sculptures on display at locations including the Philadelphia Zoo, Academy of Natural Sciences and Everglades National Park. Cast in bronze, “Mario” took approximately 16 months to complete. The statue is 14-feet long, 10-feet high and weighs 4,100 pounds. It sits on a three-and-a-half foot granite base that weighs 34,000 pounds.

“Mario the Magnificent” is named in honor of trustee emeritus, Mario V. Mascioli ’45. Sponsors of the statue are: Barnes and Noble College Bookstore; Bob Byers ’65, Hon.’02, Joyce Fritz Byers ’64, Hon. ’02, Jeff Byers ’90, and Dawn Hagen Byers ’92; Sodexho; the CAP Fund: on behalf of Drexel students; Gertrude and Mario V. Mascioli ’45; Antoinette and Anthony Caneris; Josephine and Denis Carlson ’84, alumni chair 2002; Peggy and Joel Cohen ’54, alumni Board of Governors chair 2001; JoAnn and Frank Pizzulo; H. Paul Pryor; and Dr. Eric Zillmer.