Members of the Drexel University community gathered in the Picture Gallery of Main Building Sept. 30 to celebrate the installation of Eunice Santos, PhD, as the inaugural holder of the Thomas E. and Christine D. Berk Endowed Professor and Distinguished University Professor of Computer Science.
Longtime Drexel supporters Thomas (Rick) Berk — a 1986 alumnus who earned his BS in Computer Science from Drexel — and his wife, Chris, made the endowed chair possible. Santos was appointed to the professorship when she was named Inaugural Dean of the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing in April. Santos officially assumed both roles on Aug. 1.
In his remarks introducing the Berks at the installation ceremony, Drexel President Antonio Merlo, PhD, called the two longtime benefactors “extraordinary champions of Drexel.”
“Time and again, their generosity has reflected their deep commitment to our university, and above all, to the success of our Dragons, both during and after their time as students,” he said. “The Berks believe deeply in experiential education, the kind of rigorous, practical education that Drexel is known for, and that we do better than any other university.”
In accepting the professorship, Santos expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Berks, remarking on the many beneficial ripple effects that such gifts have on colleges.
Dean Santos speaking at the installation ceremony.
“Endowments such as this go beyond just honoring the individual and the chairholder,” she said “They ignite innovation. They create pathways to move forward, drive pioneering research, and create enduring opportunities for the entire academic community. Thank you, Rick and Chris. I deeply appreciate your confidence in the future of Howley College as we move forward.”
Rick Berk, a partner in the Investor Services’ Product Management group at Brown Brothers Harriman, spoke briefly, reflecting fondly on his 2018 commencement remarks to the graduating class of the former College of Computing & Informatics — a topic that both Merlo and Executive Vice President and Nina Henderson Provost Paul Jensen, PhD, mentioned during the celebration.
“I enjoyed talking about the value of a Drexel education and the power of networking and partnerships,” Berk recalled. “And with all the partnerships that one goes through in life, Chris and I will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, and the 44th year of our partnership. One of the many things I learned over those years is that in addition to being a strong supporter of Drexel, Chris is a better and more elegant public speaker than I am. So, I’d like to hand the mic over to Chris.”
Acknowledging the handoff with a smile as the attendees laughed, Chris Berk thanked the approximately 100 attendees before directly addressing Santos and expressing her deep appreciation for Santos’ many achievements as a scholar and leader. She then reflected on the impetus behind her and Rick’s most recent gift to the university — and to Howley College, specifically.
“What we love about Drexel is its belief that education should not exist in isolation. It should lead to innovation, discovery, collaboration, and ultimately to make the world a better place,” she said. “We see that spirit in the work being done throughout this college. We hope this professorship provides you with the resources and freedom to pursue important ideas, mentor talented students, collaborate with others, and continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Chris and Rick Berk at the installation ceremony.
During his remarks, Jensen focused on boundaries, as well, and how the creation of Howley College created opportunities to eliminate those boundaries.
“We have brought together engineering, computing, information science, biomedical engineering, not simply by placing the disciplines alongside one another, but with the ambition of creating something genuinely new from their intersection,” he said. “That distinction matters, because the most important problems facing society do not arrive neatly organized by academic discipline. Artificial intelligence intersects with medicine and health. Computing is reshaping engineering and manufacturing. Data science is changing how we understand everything from infrastructure to human behavior. As problems converge, our disciplines must be able to come together, as well. That is the opportunity before the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing.”
As the event concluded, Santos presented a gift of her own to the Berks: a framed printing of the façade of the original Drexel Institute, now Main Building, upon its opening in 1891.
“This moment reflects Anthony J. Drexel’s belief in education and in the community,” Santos said upon unveiling the artwork. “Given all that you have done and all you have meant to Drexel, I hope this will prove to be a meaningful memento, representing both this university’s history and the legacy you are helping us to carry forward.”