“The achievements of the past are only as valuable
as the vision they inspire in us for the future.” - President John A. Fry

Marking a thrilling milestone in Drexel University’s historic trajectory, John Fry has unveiled Drexel University’s future in the form of a new strategic plan and campus master plan. Amidst major on-campus improvements, a swelling of strategic transformations is afoot at Drexel today. As our valued alumni and friends, you are integral to achieving our ambitious goals.

Drexel represents an economic and social engine with the potential to transform our neighborhoods, city, and region. As we expand our global and local initiatives, we must continue to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. We must connect students directly to the world’s vast and varied professional needs and we must serve Philadelphia and its communities. We must be the innovators.

Positioned at the doorstep of 30th Street Station, Drexel is in the process of enhancing its campus to become a welcoming gateway to Philadelphia — one of the country’s most dynamic and inviting urban universities; an essential civic, intellectual, and business partner.

The generosity of spirit of alumni and friends like you has already propelled Drexel University into the top 70 research universities and the top 30 public health universities in the United States. But, as you can see, this is just the beginning. We’ve envisioned an exciting trajectory for Drexel University. As President Fry says, “Let us not settle for anything short of fully realizing that vision. It will take every one of us, working and innovating together, to achieve the ambitious goals laid out here.”

As we push through the public phase of Dream It. Do It. Drexel – A Campaign for the Future, we have now surpassed 85% of the $400 million goal, thanks to the generosity of thousands of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, with more than two years still left for others to join in the success.

To share your thoughts on Drexel's new vision, please contact Senior Vice President Elizabeth A. Dale, at ead52@drexel.edu or (215) 895-2436 with your suggestions, ideas and input.

Thank you again for your investment in Drexel University.

John W. Via III Establishes Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering

To John W. Via III, MS CoE ’92, MS CoE ’94, education is essential to his personal development. “There are always new discoveries, best practices, and advances in technology,” he says. “Continuing education keeps your skills fresh and allows you to gain new knowledge.”

John should know. He has a bachelor’s degree (in Chemical Engineering), two master’s degrees from Drexel (in Chemical Engineering and Engineering Management), three other master’s degrees (in Engineering Science, Manufacturing Systems, and Liberal Arts), and a doctorate (in Engineering Management). In addition, as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, he teaches graduate courses in engineering management and production and operations management.

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Richard P. Brown, Jr., Honors Father’s Legacy in the New Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building

Richard P. “Dick” Brown, Jr., Esq., wasn’t at all sure he wanted to talk to Drexel about his gift to the College of Arts and Sciences. “Why do you want to interview me?” he asks. Only with the assurance that the article will focus on his father, Mr. Richard P. Brown, Sr., ’03, HD ’47, does he acquiesce.

A 1903 graduate of the Evening College at Drexel Institute and the recipient of an honorary doctorate in Engineering in 1947, Mr. Brown (1884–1976) served as vice chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees from 1946 to 1956 and then as chair from 1956 to 1958. He remained honorary chairman for the rest of his life. A founding member of the A.J. Drexel Society, Mr. Brown received the A.J. Drexel Paul Award in 1970. He established The Richard P. Brown Scholarship Fund in 1960, and a lab in Stratton Hall at the College of Arts and Sciences also bears his name.

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Dr. Brian Alper Relishes the Ability to Give Back to the College of Medicine

Brian Scott Alper, M.D., M.S.P.H., HU ’96, has returned to his childhood home in Northeast Philadelphia. Based in Ipswich, Mass., he is here to visit his parents, Sandy and Al Alper.

Not yet 40, Brian has taken an idea he originated in medical school some 18 years ago and developed it into a thriving initiative called DynaMed, a medical reference database. The success of this venture has brought the luxury of giving back, and he recently made a sizable gift to the general scholarship fund of Drexel University College of Medicine. But through his ongoing work on DynaMed, he gives back to the College of Medicine and the medical field every day.

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