Briefly Noted: Campus News From Spring 2018

Catch up on the biggest news and stories from last term — and what you’ll need to know for this summer (including a special reminder about Summer Fridays!).

Sasha Gamburg of University Housing Receives Project SEARCH Award 

On June 1, the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute surprised Sasha Gamburg, associate director of University Housing, with an Appreciation Award for her work as business liaison to Project SEARCH, a program that offers high school students on the autism spectrum the opportunity to participate in internships at Drexel University. In her role as business liaison, Gamburg has seen 16 students complete the program.

“There are so many underserved young adults with autism, and this program gives them skills, job training and the support they need to identify work after they finish high school,” said Gamburg. “Learning of the amazing job opportunities the graduates of the inaugural class secured makes me so proud to be a part of the program. I am honored Project Search thought enough of my work to give me this award.” 

As part of its efforts to foster a welcoming, diverse and inclusive university community, Campus Services has partnered with Project SEARCH since its inception. Campus Services piloted the internship program in 2016 by hosting all eight Project SEARCH interns, and due to the success of that pilot, Project SEARCH expanded to sites across the University portfolio during the 2017-2018 academic year. The program is a win-win: Interns gain marketable employment skills that they will use in future jobs; and internship sites gain team members who are excited to learn new skills and contribute to the success of the department.

“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Sasha Gamburg, Project SEARCH interns have the opportunity to gain work experience in a variety of departments around campus,” said Dianne Malley, project director for Transition Pathways at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. “Sasha has helped to expand the number and types of internship sites so that every intern can be successful and prepared to enter the workforce upon completion of the program.”

For more information, click here.

Reminder: Summer Friday Special Offers

Drexel faculty and professional staff can take advantage of exclusive offers at local dining and retail businesses on Fridays this summer through Sept. 7. Click here for a full list of the special Summer Friday offers. Merchants may request to see a faculty or professional staff DragonCard to receive these offers, and exclusions may apply. The offers are valid all day on summer Fridays, unless noted otherwise. Visit or contact the merchant for details.

Construction Update and Review:

With the University City construction boom continuing on and around Drexel’s University City Campus, it can feel like the work of capital renewal is never done. So let’s take a moment to celebrate the significant campus improvements that were completed in 2017–18, opening up new spaces for learning, research, collaboration and recreation throughout campus.

Bernhardt Memorial Courtyard at Thomas R. Kline School of Law 

Located on Market Street between the Kline School of Law and Hagerty Library, this cozy courtyard provides an intimate outdoor space to study and socialize.

CoMAD Music Industry Studios

Students in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design’s music industry program made good use of the new $4 million state-of-the-art sound studio the opened in 3101 Market Street last September. Learn more here.

Fox Historic Costume Collection

This project includes the new Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection Gallery and the addition of much needed collection archival storage in the URBN Center. A new classroom, built specifically for costume study, provides instruction space within the collection’s climate controlled boundaries. Complete HVAC upgrades now serve all existing and expanded spaces. Watch for the first exhibition in the new gallery this fall.

Goodwin College Renovation in Gerri C. LeBow 

The third-floor suite was recently renovated to house the offices for the Goodwin College of Professional Studies, and two classrooms were upgraded for use by the college.

James E. Marks Intercultural Center

Besides providing a home for the offices of Equality and Diversity and Spiritual and Religious Life, the renovated James E. Marks Intercultural Center houses an interfaith chapel, Muslim prayer room, testing sites for students with disabilities and flexible meeting and lounge space. Learn more here.

Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy

Classes began in January in the newly renovated Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy at 1200 Chestnut St. The renovation combines state-of-the-art academic spaces — including a ceremonial courtroom — with careful restoration and renewal of this historic 1916 structure. Finishing touches are still ongoing, and an official grand opening is being planned.

Korman Center Addition and Korman Quad

There’s no denying the newly dedicated Korman Quad and Korman Center addition are the hot spots on campus for students and the University community to study, socialize and soak in the modernized, sustainable design of these transformed spaces. Learn more here.

Mechanical and Engineering Upgrades

The following equipment upgrades improve energy efficiency, lower operating and utility costs and reduce the need for repairs:

• Myers Hall Boiler Replacement: The residence hall’s new boiler system is energy efficient and cost effective.
• Disque Hall Penthouse Mechanical Equipment Renovation: Removed three existing heat exchangers, pumps and expansion tanks (circa 1965) and all associated piping and electrical wiring. Currently installing new equipment and accessories that will provide better system isolation.
• Queen Lane Boiler Replacement: Removed one existing flexible water tube boiler (circa 1980) and installed three new gas-fired boilers, three circulation pumps, flues, piping, electrical wiring and boiler controls.

BONUS: Laboratory Upgrades in Progress

Bossone Research Enterprise Center, Third Floor: An existing laboratory is undergoing a state-of-the-art renovation to increase its usability for chemically intensive work related to energy and energy storage. The project is expected to be completed this winter.

Queen Lane Gross Anatomy Lab: The Gross Anatomy Laboratory is composed of classrooms, dissection laboratories and an embalming room. The renovation project replaces the outdated furniture and equipment in the embalming room, and it also covers infrastructure upgrades, LED lighting, adequate HVAC, new flooring and pressure monitoring devices. The project is expected to be complete in August.