Recap: Drexel Celebrates Largest Gift in University History

President Antonio Merlo, W. Nicholas "Nick" Howley, incoming Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing Dean Eunice Santos and Board of Trustees Chair Michael Lawrie at the ceremonial signing on June 11. 

Drexel University announced a gift larger than any other in the institution’s history, a $112.6 million commitment from W. Nicholas “Nick” Howley III, BS engineering ’75, his wife Lorie and daughter Meg Howley ’10 through the Howley Foundation. This gift was commemorated with a ceremonial signing held on June 11, after the 2026 University-wide Commencement. A day after his groundbreaking announcement, Howley was the keynote speaker at the College of Engineering’s commencement ceremony.

Howley and his family have already been deeply embedded in the fabric of Drexel, with generations of alumni family members and a history of enabling support through scholarship and experiential learning opportunities for the education of a variety of Drexel students. Their historic gift will establish the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing, transform more than 55,000 square feet of labs and workspaces and support generations of Dragons through scholarships and programming.

At the June 11 ceremonial signing at Citizens Bank Park, several members of Drexel’s Board of Trustees (of which Howley has been a member since 2023) and the new college’s incoming dean of Howley College of Engineering and Computing, Eunice Santos, PhD, Thomas E. and Christine D. Berk Endowed Professor, were in attendance. The signing event also unveiled the newly established college’s logo.

“What makes this moment especially profound is the deep and enduring connection behind it. This gift is not only about buildings or programs, it is about people,” said Drexel President Antonio Merlo, PhD, before toasting to the Howleys. “It is about opening doors, igniting ambition and creating pathways for talented students to learn, to innovate and to lead. We are deeply grateful for your partnership, your vision and your belief in Drexel’s future.”

Howley addresses the crowd at the June 12 College of Engineering commencement ceremony. Photo by Shira Yudkoff. 

On June 12, Howley spoke at the College of Engineering's final commencement ceremony; next year, students will graduate from the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing, which will comprise the newly renamed School of Engineering (former College of Engineering); School of Computer and Information Sciences (former College of Computing & Informatics) and School of Biomedical Engineering and Science (former School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems). He gave the keynote speech during the 8:30 a.m. ceremony at the Highmark Mann Center and spoke about the strong belief he and wife Lorie have in giving back, especially to educational opportunities, which he said can transform lives.

“The foundation for much of what I have done in my life came from here,” Howley said to the assembled College of Engineering graduates. “That’s why Lorie and I decided to make this large gift to the University. We believe it will strengthen the new combined College of Engineering and Computing, it will allow access to students who could not otherwise afford it, and for all of you, I think it will make your degree even more valuable in the future. One of the things that truly sets Drexel apart is the structure of the engineering program … and that matters.”

His father, Nick Howley Jr., attended the Drexel Institute of Technology after World War II and graduated in 1951. Now, that Howley family member will be remembered on campus through the Walter N. Howley Jr. Innovation Garage, a 10,000 square foot space that will host student organizations with maker and project spaces.

“Drexel education has always stood out to me,” Howley said. “It combines rigor with practicality, serious academics with real-world applications. For me, it’s personal. My father and I both graduated from Drexel as engineering majors. My daughter, Meg, earned her graduate degree here. Several of my nieces and nephews have also come through Drexel, both as undergraduate and graduate students. So, this university isn’t just part of my past. It’s part of my family.”

Howley College of Engineering and Computing will be Drexel’s largest academic unit. Howley wanted to ensure all those students will be supported by giving students labs, collaborative space and classrooms; $36 million of the gift is allocated for this and includes the aforementioned Walter N. Howley Jr. Innovation Garage.

At the 3101 Market St. facility, 45,000 square feet will be transformed into the Howley Family Immersive Learning Center, which will include a robotics facility, flight simulator, jet engine lab, soil and concrete analysis lab and wet labs for various disciplines. Work on these facilities will begin in spring 2027.

The remaining $76 million will partially support generations of Dragons through scholarships and programming, as well as creating an endowment to help the Howley College of Engineering and Computing elevate its reputation and attract talented students. The support will also further expand the Howley College Scholars Program, which Howley started in 2022. It brings a Drexel education within reach through 10 scholarships per year to students graduating from designated schools primarily in Philadelphia and Cleveland to access a Drexel education.

The Howley Foundation currently supports about 1,700 students with scholarships, mostly in high schools. At Drexel, students are already supported by the Howley Finance Academy within the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. The Academy was launched in fall 2025 and provides in-depth, co-curricular training in finance in preparation for careers at top firms in the fields of private equity and investment banking. Furthermore, in 2020–21, Howley launched the Doug Peacock Scholarship, funded through his company TransDigm Group, Inc., and named for his late co-founder. Nearly 100 students have been supported with this award. Many more will be supported through Howley’s newly announced gift, and will be able to partake in the Drexel education he holds in such high esteem.

“Companies like Susquehanna International Group, one of the largest finance and trading firms in the country hire Drexel engineers not just for what you know, but how you think,” Howley said. “They hire for logic, for problem-solving, for adaptability and the ability to learn quickly. That’s the real value of an engineering education. Engineering is not a narrow path. It’s a platform.”