History of Drexel University

The Institute's first president was James A. MacAlister. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1840, he emigrated with his family to Wisconsin in 1850, attended Brown University and subsequently received his J.D. from Albany Law School in 1864. During his term as president (1891–1913), the institute offered a variety of courses in subjects ranging from art and illustration, mechanic arts, domestic arts and sciences, commerce and finance, teacher training, physical education, and librarianship. He also advocated lectures and programs that were open to the public, even granting access to the library to non-students. Another initiative was to offer classes in the evening that could be attended by working professionals.[2]

From 1895 to 1898, renowned American Impressionist painter Colin Campbell Cooper taught courses in watercolor and architectural rendering.[3] In 1905, the department of art was closed (except for the architecture program). In the same time period, the school expanded the main building eastward into additional buildings on Chestnut and 32nd streets. The school also grew from 70 graduates to 500.[2]

Drexel became the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936.[4]

During the administration of Drexel University presidents W. W. Hagerty, after whom the University City campus Library is named, and James Creese, Drexel underwent a period of rapid expansion constructing new classroom buildings or dormitories each year. The buildings constructed include the Kelly, Myers, Calhoun, and Towers dormitories, as well as most of the buildings surrounding the Quad, including Matheson, Korman, Disque, and Nesbitt. During this time President Hagerty led the transformation of what had previously been a technological college primarily focused on undergraduate teaching to a comprehensive university in 1970.

After Hagerty's departure, admissions, enrollment, and the university's financial situation went into substantial decline. His successor, William S. Gaither, resigned due to pressure from the campus community in 1987 after allegations of sexual misconduct with staff members arose. The majority of problems occurred during and after the recession of the early 90s. Drexel was struggling to remain solvent, and began to use endowment funds to pay operating expenses. Gaither's successor, President Breslin, was not able to react to difficulties coming from lower admissions. There was even discussion of the school's being absorbed into the next-door University of Pennsylvania, until the selection of president Constantine Papadakis.[5]

In 1997 with the renovation of Van Rensselaer Hall, Drexel University began a period of expansion led by president Constantine Papadakis to enlarge the university, its student population, and its alumni funding base. Since 1997, Drexel has completed four new dormitories with plans for at least one more, expanded the research infrastructure with the construction of the Bossone Research Center, renovated various campus buildings and the main quad, and acquired the Queen Lane campus and Hahnemann University Hospital from MCP Hahnemann University. Papadakis has also added a School of Law, and secured millions of dollars worth of alumni grants, including several grants of more than $10 million. From 1996 to 2005 total revenue increased +331% to $612M, research funds increased +535% to $83M, the endowment increased +471% to $540M, and total enrollment increased +102% to 18,466. During this time undergraduate tuition increased +68% to $23,250/year.[6]

Master plans for further construction projects were announced on October 16, 2006 during Drexel University's Founders Day and Convocation Celebration. The plan involves significant changes to the campus and buildings over at least a five-year period. According to President Papadakis the changes are estimated at around $350 million dollars.[7]

Some of the anticipated changes included:

• Addition of a new biomedical center
• Addition of a skyscraper
• Construct a new building to replace Stratton Hall (Papadakis Integrated Science Building). -- Recently completed
• Construct a new building to replace Matheson Hall. -- (Gerri C. LeBow Hall). -- Recently completed[8]
• Construct a new residence hall (Millennium Hall).
• New Recreation Center and landscaping behind the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
• Northside Dining Center addition to Kelly Hall. -- Completed
• An addition of a west wing to the Rush building.
• An addition of a new wing to the Academic building.
• Refurbishing of the old Armory building into a basketball arena. -- Abandoned project
• Demolition of Myers Hall and the closing of Race Street between 33rd and 34th Streets for more green space.

In April 2009 C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni was named as interim president and Chief Executive Officer of Drexel University while Papadakis took medical leave.[9] On April 5, 2009, President Papadakis died, which placed Drexel University in an interregnum period. In 2010, John Fry took over as president.