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Drexel University

Former names	Drexel Institute of Art, Science, & Industry (1891–1936) Drexel Institute of Technology (1936–1970) Academy of Natural Sciences (1812–2011)
Motto	"Ambition Can't Wait" On seal: "Art, Science, Industry"
Type	Private research university
Established	December 17, 1891; 133 years ago (December 17, 1891)
Founder	Anthony Joseph Drexel
Accreditation	MSCHE
Academic affiliations	AITU NAICU Space-grant
Endowment	$966 million (2023)
President	John Anderson Fry
Provost	Paul E. Jensen
Students	24,205
Undergraduates	15,346
Postgraduates	8,859
Location	Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , United States 39°57′14″N 75°11′17″W / 39.954°N 75.188°W / 39.954; -75.188
Campus	Large city, 96 acres (0.39 km²) (total) 74 acres (0.30 km²) (University City main campus)
Other campuses	Wider Philadelphia area, various sites Malvern Washington, D.C.
Newspaper	The Triangle
Colors	Blue and yellow
Nickname	Dragons
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS - CAA EIWA IRA CSA City 6
Mascot	Mario the Magnificent

Drexel University is a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was started in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a wealthy businessman who wanted to offer practical education.

Drexel is known for its special "co-op" program. This program lets students get up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience. They work in jobs related to what they are studying before they even graduate! This helps them get real-world skills. As of 2020, more than 24,000 students were studying at Drexel. They could choose from over 70 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs.

Drexel University's Story
What You Can Study at Drexel
Drexel's Campuses
Student Life at Drexel
Drexel Sports
Famous Drexel Graduates
Awards from Drexel
See also

Drexel University's Story

How Drexel Started

Statue of Anthony J. Drexel by Moses J. Ezekiel

The Main Building, opened in 1891

Inside Drexel University's Main Building in 2023

A unique clock sculpture given to the university in 1912

Drexel University began in 1891. It was first called the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. The founder, Anthony J. Drexel, wanted to give everyone, both men and women, a chance to learn practical skills.

Drexel also has ties to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. This Academy was formed way back in 1812. In 2011, Drexel took over its management.

Growing Through the Years

In 1936, the school changed its name to the Drexel Institute of Technology. Then, in 1970, it became Drexel University. Even with these changes, Drexel has always focused on hands-on learning.

The co-op program, which is a big part of Drexel, started in 1919. It lets students switch between studying in classrooms and working full-time jobs. These jobs are related to their studies and career goals.

Between 1995 and 2009, Drexel grew a lot under President Constantine Papadakis. More students joined, and the university became more selective. This means it became harder to get in, and the classes were tougher. In 2007, Drexel even hosted a big political debate that was shown on TV.

Drexel in the 21st Century

In 2002, Drexel added the Drexel University College of Medicine. This happened when they took over another university. Later, in 2006, they started the Thomas R. Kline School of Law. This law school became fully approved in 2011.

After President Papadakis passed away in 2009, John Anderson Fry became the new president. Under his leadership, Drexel has kept growing. For example, they officially welcomed The Academy of Natural Sciences in 2011.

What You Can Study at Drexel

Different Schools and Colleges

Drexel University has many different schools and colleges. Each one focuses on a specific area of study.

College of Arts and Sciences

This college was formed in 1990. It brings together studies in science, humanities, and arts.

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

This college is for students who love art, media, and design. You can study things like architecture, graphic design, dance, fashion design, and even how to manage TV shows.

Bennett S. LeBow College of Business

Gerri C. Lebow Hall, where business classes are held

The business college started in 1896. Today, it offers many programs in business. About 22% of Drexel's undergraduate students study here. The college is known for its strong business programs, especially in online learning and entrepreneurship.

School of Economics

This school is part of the LeBow College of Business. It offers programs in economics, which is the study of how money and resources are used.

College of Engineering

Edmund D. Bossone Research Center

Drexel's College of Engineering is one of its oldest and biggest colleges. It was the main focus when the school first opened. Many famous people, including two astronauts, have graduated from this college. It was the first to offer a degree in "appropriate technology."

College of Computing and Informatics

This college focuses on computers and information. You can study computer science, software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity here.

College of Medicine

The College of Medicine joined Drexel in 2002. It offers medical degrees and many other graduate programs. These programs are in fields like biochemistry and forensic science.

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

This school was the first of its kind in the U.S. when it started in 1961. It focuses on how engineering and science can be used in health. You can study things like how the body works, new materials for medicine, and brain science.

College of Nursing and Health Professions

This college offers over 25 programs in nursing, nutrition, and other health fields. It's known for its strong programs in areas like physician assistant studies and physical therapy.

Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies

This college is for adult learners who want to continue their education. It offers flexible programs, including evening and weekend classes, and special courses for career development.

Pennoni Honors College

The Pennoni Honors College is for students who show great academic promise. Students in this college live together and take special classes. They also get to do unique activities and travel.

Thomas R. Kline School of Law

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law

This law school opened in 2006. It was the first new law school in Philadelphia in over 30 years. It also includes the co-op program, which is unusual for a law school.

School of Education

Drexel University's School of Education offices

The School of Education has been part of Drexel since the beginning. It trains future teachers for elementary and high schools. You can also study how technology is used in learning.

Dornsife School of Public Health

This school aims to improve the health of communities. It offers programs in public health, helping students learn how to solve health problems for large groups of people.

Center for Hospitality and Sport Management

This center, created in 2013, combines studies in hospitality (like hotels and restaurants) and sport management. It teaches students how to run businesses in these exciting fields.

Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship

This is the first school in the U.S. that focuses only on entrepreneurship. It teaches students how to start and run their own businesses.

Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship

This institute is part of the Close School. It helps Drexel students who want to start their own companies. It gives them resources and advice.

Learning Online

Drexel University started offering online classes in 1996. Today, Drexel University Online has many accredited degrees and certificate programs. It allows students from all over the world to learn from Drexel.

The Co-op Program

Drexel's co-op program is one of the biggest and oldest in the United States. Students can find jobs through an online database. They can also find their own co-op positions. A student in a 5-year program usually gets 18 months of work experience. Most co-op jobs are paid. Many students even get full-time job offers from their co-op employers after they graduate!

Research at Drexel

Drexel is known as a "Very High Research Activity" university. This means its professors and students do a lot of important research. The university has been recognized for its many inventions and patents.

Drexel's Campuses

The Queen Lane College of Medicine Campus

Drexel University has three main campuses in the Philadelphia area.

University City Main Campus

This is Drexel's largest and oldest campus, covering about 77 acres. It's located in the University City area of Philadelphia. This campus has most of the university's offices and is where most students take classes. It also has two main performance stages: the Mandell Theater and the Main Auditorium.

Queen Lane Campus

This campus is in northwest Philadelphia. It's mainly used by medical students in their first two years and by researchers. A free shuttle connects this campus to the others.

Center City Campus

This campus is in the middle of Philadelphia. It's also connected to the other campuses by a shuttle service.

Academy of Natural Sciences

A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil at the Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences became part of Drexel University in 2011. It's America's oldest natural history museum. It's a world leader in studying nature and the environment.

Student Life at Drexel

Student Groups

Drexel has a Graduate Student Association that helps graduate students. There are also many other student organizations, over 250 in total! These groups cover many interests, like:

Academic clubs
Sports clubs
Community service
Cultural groups
Fraternities and sororities
Media groups (like the TV station and newspaper)
Performing arts
Religious groups

Jewish Life

Drexel has a Jewish student population of about 5%. There are both a Chabad House and a Hillel. These groups offer services and activities for Jewish students and others.

Drexel Television (DUTV)

DUTV is Drexel's own TV station. It's run by students and offers educational shows for the people of Philadelphia. Students get to learn about TV production and management. Most of the shows are made by students.

Student Publications

The Triangle is the university's newspaper. It has been published since 1926 and comes out every two weeks. It has won awards for student journalism. In 2019, it even started a podcast division!

The school yearbook, called the Lexerd, was first published in 1911.

Where Students Live

North Hall, a residence hall

Drexel requires all first- and second-year students who don't live at home to live in university housing. There are ten residence halls. Second-year students can also choose from "university approved housing" apartments.

Fraternities and Sororities

About 12% of Drexel's undergraduate students are part of a fraternity or sorority. These are social groups that often focus on community service and leadership.

Drexel Sports

Mario the Magnificent, Drexel's mascot

Drexel Dragons logo

Drexel's mascot is a dragon named "Mario the Magnificent." He's named after an alumnus who loved Drexel sports. The dragon has been the school's mascot since the 1920s. Before that, teams were called the Blue & Gold or the Engineers.

Drexel's sports teams are called the Drexel Dragons. They compete in the NCAA's Division I. They are part of the Coastal Athletic Association. Drexel does not have a varsity football team.

Besides varsity teams, Drexel also has 33 club sports teams. These include ice hockey, lacrosse, water polo, and cycling.

Famous Drexel Graduates

Paul Baran, who helped invent the Internet
Malik Rose, a former NBA player
Chuck Barris, a TV game show host
Jesse Willcox Smith, a famous illustrator
Christopher Ferguson, a retired NASA astronaut
Lex Fridman, a computer scientist and podcaster

Over 100,000 people have graduated from Drexel University. Many have become famous in different fields. For example, Paul Baran helped create the Internet. Norman Joseph Woodland invented the barcode.

Drexel has also produced many successful athletes, like NBA basketball players Malik Rose and Damion Lee. Many business leaders, like Rajiv L. Gupta, have also graduated from Drexel.

In 1991, Drexel started the "Drexel 100" association. This group honors alumni who have done amazing things in their careers, helped others, or served the public.

Awards from Drexel

Drexel University gives out a special award called the Anthony J. Drexel Exceptional Achievement Award. It gives $100,000 to a faculty member whose work makes a big difference in research and society.

Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions also gives an award for new ideas in nursing. This award honors nurses who use technology to improve patient care or nursing education.