Briefly Noted: Campus News From Spring 2017

Here’s what you need to know about the biggest news and stories that were recently announced at Drexel University.

Announcing Several Replacement Searches for our Academic Enterprise

The Office of the Provost is managing several transitions over the coming academic year, having initiated searches for the next Dean of the College of Engineering, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and Vice Provost for Global Initiatives.  

Search committees composed of individuals from various stakeholder groups — like representatives from the faculty, professional staff, students, deans, and alumni — have formed based on consultation and recommendations from the respective academic/administrative units and the Faculty Senate. 

Yi Deng, PhD, Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics; Steve DiPietro, PhD, Vice Provost for Assessment, Accreditation, and Institutional Effectiveness; Koren Bedeau, PhD, Vice Provost for Academic and Strategic Initiatives; are chairing each of the searches, respectively. Engineering and Global Initiatives will be internal/external searches while Undergraduate Education is strictly seeking internal candidates.  Please send nominations to the relevant search chair.

Restructured Hospitality and Sport Management Center to Access New Resources

Effective July 1, the Center for Hospitality and Sport Management will become two centers:

• The Center for Sport Management programs will be affiliated with the LeBow College of Business and will house the BS and MS in Sport Management along with associated minors. The Center will be directed by Professor Joel Maxcy, who is a sports economist with expertise in antitrust law, regulation, labor policy and finance. The MS in Sport Coaching Leadership will move to the School of Education.
• The Center for Food and Hospitality Management will be affiliated with the College of Nursing and Health Professions. The Center will house the BS programs in Culinary Arts and Science and Hospitality Management, and the MS programs in Food Science and Culinary Arts and Science along with associated minors. The culinary and food science programs will be led by Professor Rosemary Trout, who has extensive food industry experience. The hospitality program will be led by Professor Michael Traud, who brings a wealth of experience from both the restaurant and hospitality communities. Through collaborations with the Department of Nutrition Sciences chaired by Professor Stella Volpe, this new structure will provide enhanced research and curricular opportunities and build upon the department’s nationally recognized work. 

More information on the changes can be found here.

Chesterbrook Academy Preschool at Drexel University Slated to Open Fall 2017

A new, 13,800-square-foot preschool will open this fall at the Vue32 high-rise building at 3201 Race St. Conveniently located for our faculty and professional staff, Chesterbrook Academy Preschool at Drexel University will occupy the tower’s first two floors and can accommodate up to 180 children ages six weeks to kindergarten. A 5 percent tuition discount is available to all faculty, professional staff and graduate students.

Operated by Nobel Leaning Communities, the fifth-largest private childcare organization in the country, Chesterbrook Academy expertly combines academics and structured play through its proprietary “Links to Learning” curriculum. The goals of the program are to provide a high-caliber, developmentally appropriate education within the classroom, to enhance dialogue with parents, and to provide constructive guidance on how parents can become more involved with their children’s education through at-home activities that reinforce what’s being learned at school. To learn more about Chesterbrook Academy at Drexel University, please visit chesterbrookacademydrexel.com or call 877.959.3738. An open house is currently scheduled for Aug. 12.

A Drexel Goodbye to Some Very Important Dragons

Longtime Drexel Dragons said goodbye to the University this summer: Dean of the LeBow College of Business Frank Linnehan, PhD; Senior Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Julie Mostov, PhD; Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Education John DiNardo, PhD; Vice President for Cooperative Education and Career Development Peter Franks; and President and CEO of the Academy of Natural Sciences George W. Gephart Jr.

Drexel Announces Record-High Freshman Enrollment Projected for Fall 2017

The University received more than 3,500 deposits for the incoming freshman class, representing a 43 percent increase over last year’s freshman deposits. Despite the success, University officials caution that the cost-containment measures that were enacted this year will remain in place among continued budget challenges for the next fiscal year and beyond.

Construction Update

In June, construction was completed on the Intelligent Structures Laboratory (Alumni 073), which is used for testing and evaluating components of building structures. Additional laboratory equipment will be delivered and installed in the coming months.

Summer is always a busy time for University Facilities’ Planning, Design and Construction team, and this year is no exception. Major projects that are currently under construction and slated for completion this fall include: 

• Korman Center and Quad: The glass curtain wall for the Korman Center addition has been installed, and work is progressing on the interior finishes. In the renamed Korman Quad, rough grading will occur in June and July, stonework will be installed in July and August, and finish materials will follow.

• Westphal Music Industry Studios: Construction is in progress for the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design’s Music Industry Studios project, which will create a new state-of-the-art recording and production facility, music classrooms, audio archives and student and faculty spaces on the garden level of One Drexel Plaza. This project is on track for completion in fall 2017.

• Academic Building, Ground Floor Renovation: Construction is well underway on the ground floor of the Academic Building, creating the new home for the James E. Marks Intercultural Center, as well as offices for the Office of Equality and Diversity, the Student Center for Inclusion and Culture, Spiritual and Religious Life and the LGBTQA Student Center. The project is on track for completion in fall 2017.

• Buckley Field Hockey Field Replacement (Vidas Athletic Complex): The synthetic turf at the existing Buckley Field Hockey Field is being replaced this summer, with additional irrigation and fencing, as well as the new turf.

• Bernhardt Memorial Courtyard at Thomas R. Kline School of Law: Construction will begin in July on the Bernhardt Memorial Courtyard, which will be located on Market Street between the Kline School of Law and Hagerty Library. Designed by Studio Bryan Hanes, the courtyard will provide an intimate outdoor space to study and socialize. Completion is expected in fall 2017. 

 Visit the Current Projects page of the Facilities website for additional project updates.