History of Drexel University

In the closing decades of the 19th century, Philadelphia financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel envisioned an institution of higher learning uniquely suited to the needs of a rapidly growing industrial society and of the young men and women seeking their place in it. In 1891, he realized his vision with the establishment of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry.

In founding the Institute, Anthony J. Drexel launched a tradition of innovation, which today is carried on by Drexel University. Although distinguished by decades of growth and change from Mr. Drexel's Institute of Art, Science and Industry, the University remains faithful to his vision. Its greatly expanded enrollment, campus, and curriculum reflect a history of responsiveness to societal and individual needs, which Mr. Drexel sought to address in his day.

Originally a non-degree-granting institution, Drexel began conferring the bachelor of science degree in 1914, when its 18 departments were organized into four schools. In 1927, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted Drexel the privilege to confer the master of science degree, and in 1965, the doctor of philosophy degree.

Along with its degree offerings, the institution's curriculum and organization of academic programs have developed, evolving to include nine colleges and three schools. In accord with this evolution, Drexel has undergone two changes in name, in 1936 becoming Drexel Institute of Technology and in 1970, Drexel University. The current title reflects the institution's commitment to research, as well as the breadth of its graduate programs.

Despite the many changes during its first century, Drexel's identity has held constant. Since its founding, the institution has remained a privately controlled, nonsectarian, coeducational center of higher learning, distinguished by a commitment to preparing men and women for success in their chosen careers.

The cornerstone of the career preparation Drexel provides has been the University's co-operative education program. Introduced at Drexel in 1919, the program has become integral to the University's educational experience. Through it, students alternate periods of study with periods of full-time professional employment related to their academic and career interests.

Drexel's was among the first co-operative education programs in the nation, and today it is one of the largest and most diverse. Through co-op, Drexel students are currently employed by more than 1,500 businesses and organizations in 27 states and 12 countries.

In addition to its career focus, another constant element in Drexel's identity has been its commitment to providing technological expertise for society's needs. This commitment kept the institution operating around the clock during World War II to serve more than 3,000 visiting participants in the Engineering Defense Training Program. Following the war, rapid expansion of knowledge and the nation's drive for technological preeminence continued to be a source of growth for the University.

In 1983, Drexel became the nation's first university to require all undergraduates to have personal access to a microcomputer for use in all of their coursework. In the years since, the microcomputer has become an integral part of instruction throughout the University's curriculum.

Today, Drexel continues to build upon strengths in the fields of science and engineering, preparing professionals for leadership in our global technological community through studies in a broad range of disciplines.

New schools were established in 1997 to provide specialized studies: the School of Education and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems. All of the University's academic programs enjoy the highest level of accreditation appropriate to their respective disciplines.

Drexel was the nation's first major university to operate a fully wireless campus. It houses impressive resources for teaching and research, as well as facilities to serve a growing population of residential students. In April 2002, Drexel's mission, services, and opportunities expanded further when MCP Hahnemann University, a major Philadelphia health sciences institution, became Drexel University College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and School of Public Health. This historic event extended the resources of Drexel and led to many productive synergies in teaching and research.

In 2006, Drexel became the first major research university to open a new law school in 25 years. The Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University is one of only two law schools to follow a co-operative model.

Drexel University enrolls more than 19,500 full- and part-time students in programs leading to associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees (including MD and JD) in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Information Science and Technology, Medicine, and Nursing and Health Professions; the Schools of Law, Education, Public Health, and Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems; and the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies, and Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. The University's record of success to date promises an auspicious future and testifies to the genius of Anthony J. Drexel's vision, which has shaped the growth of the institution since its inception.

Additional Information

• Timeline of Drexel History – A historic timeline of events at Drexel University, from 1889 through 1984.
• Drexel Buildings – These are lists of buildings on the Drexel University campuses and the years they were built from 1891 through 2002.
• Drexel Presidents – A listing of Drexel University presidents and the dates of their tenures from 1891 to the present.
• Drexel Colleges and Schools – Historic timelines of significant events at the colleges and schools of Drexel University from 1891 to the present day.
• Bibliography of Drexel History – This bibliography covers publications about Drexel University.
• Bibliography of the Drexel family – This bibliography covers publications that have focused on the history of the Drexel family.
• Drexel University, A University with a Difference: The Unique Vision of Anthony J. Drexel – Dr. Constantine Papadakis' address, covering the history of Drexel University, was delivered at a 2001 Greater Delaware Valley meeting of the Newcomen Society of the United States in honor of of Drexel University.