Writer Archives

Beth Ann Downey

Staff Writer, University Communications

Beth Ann Downey is the staff writer for DrexelNow and also contributes to such publications as Drexel Magazine. She joined the University Communications team in March 2018 bringing a variety of work experience in journalism, public relations and marketing.

Beth Ann received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State University in University Park. She has previously held editorial positions with the Altoona Mirror as a lifestyle reporter and JUMP Philly magazine as a managing editor. In her free time, you can find Beth Ann enjoying the local music scene as well as everything her East Passyunk neighborhood has to offer. Follow Beth Ann at @bethanndowney on Twitter and Instagram.

Contact:

ead332@drexel.edu

215.895.0379

Trapeta Mayson (left) and Yolanda Wisher, adjunct instructors in the Department of English and Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University, are teaching “Black Women Writing: Short Stories (CW T680)” to graduate students.

Graduate Course Shifts Focus on Black Women Writers, Away From the ‘Single Story’

“Black Women Writing: Short Stories (CW T680),” which is being offered to graduate students this term, promotes anti-racism by disrupting the white literary cannon and shining a light on 19^th century through 21^st century Black women renegades.

COVID Campus: How It Feels to Be Back for Dragons

DrexelNow spoke with undergraduate students on campus about this phase of Drexel University’s reopening, including health and safety protocols for residence halls and in-person learning, making new friends and staying connected, and their advice and hopes for the near future.

Need an Impartial Sounding Board? Meet the Drexel Ombuds

Kirk Heilbrun, PhD, a professor of psychology, has been the Drexel Ombuds since 2018, and specializes in lending an ear and offering advice to any Dragons in need.

Drexel’s 2021 Homecoming Set to Safely Keep Winter Tradition Alive

Despite being mostly virtual, Drexel’s weeklong Homecoming celebration and Spirit Week from Feb. 1–7 will still boast many of the annual events current students and alumni have come to look forward to.

New Minor to Offer Co-Curricular, Collaborative Approach to Creating a Just World

Drexel’s Department of Criminology and Justice Studies within the College of Arts and Sciences is now offering a Justice Studies minor to all undergraduate students interested in viewing their disciplines through a social justice lens.

Kline School of Law students attend a lecture during fall term. Photo by Ben Wong.

Town Hall Touts Student Role in Collective Campus Health and Safety

Drexel University students were invited to a Virtual Town Hall on Jan. 13 to receive up-to-date information about winter term health, safety and testing protocols related to COVID-19.

A Drexel student works out in the Rec Center during the fall 2020 term. The Rec Center will open for winter term on Jan. 25. Photo by Ben Wong.

Moving Back to Campus? Here’s What’s Open for Winter Term (and When)

As students move into on-campus residencies for the first time this academic year, here are the academic, recreational, health and retail amenities which will be open for winter term.

Students must reserve a workstation in advance in the computer lab at the W.W. Hagerty Library. Group work is not permitted in the computer lab or in any Libraries spaces at this time.

Working on Campus? Here’s What’s Open for Winter Term (and When)

As select faculty and professional staff return to campus, here are the recreational, health and retail amenities which will be open for winter term.

A Drexel student poses on campus during the fall 2020 term. For winter term, more than 1,000 undergraduate students will move on campus starting Jan. 16, though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to augment this college rite of passage and necessitate virtual programming.

Drexel Students to Move on Campus, Unite Online for Winter Term

More than 1,000 Drexel University undergraduate students will move on campus starting Jan. 16, though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to augment this college rite of passage and necessitate virtual programming.

Those tasked with campus cleaning, safety and distancing measures have been on the scene since late spring, planning and working diligently to ready Drexel housing and academic spaces, as well as other amenities, for this valiant return.

How Drexel’s Campus Facilities Have Been Prepared for Winter Student Move-In

Though it was announced in late October that Drexel University would welcome undergraduate students back for campus living, the process of preparing academic and residential spaces in the face of COVID-19 has been both ongoing and thorough.

Victor Milbourne, BS general studies ’15, credits the Close School’s Launch It! course with helping him learn the skills to lead his construction management firm, Military Construction LLC.

Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship Moves the Needle in Entrepreneurship Education

Seven years after disrupting the landscape by becoming the first entrepreneurship school in the nation to reside outside of a business school, the Charles D. Close School has moved to number 12 in the nation in the 2021 Princeton Review rankings, while simultaneously being recognized for its innovative and high-quality programs through first-time inclusion in Drexel’s business education accreditation.

Drexel’s Interdisciplinary Battle Against COVID-19

From administering COVID tests to conducting case investigation and contact tracing, the University has relied on a cross-college battalion of faculty, professional staff and students to protect Dragons against the coronavirus, and in turn, protect the surrounding community.