US News Drexel One of Nations Top Five Up-and-Coming Schools

Drexel University has again made the “up-and-coming” short list of national universities that have achieved “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities,” according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Drexel was ranked fourth out of only 19 universities in the country on the list, according to the recently released rankings. These are “universities that have recently made striking improvements or innovations — schools everyone should be watching,” according to the publication. Drexel’s history of innovation continues today and includes:• First university to require all students to have personal computers • First university to offer a fully online master’s degree • First major university to install a campus-wide wireless network • Among the first major university to use Apple iPods in teaching • First US-based university to install an eco-friendly, living bio wall, to be completed in 2011. Drexel continued its upward march to recognized excellence by moving from the 89th to 88th spot in the U.S. News ranking of America’s Best National Universities. Drexel is also one of only two Philadelphia-based national universities ranked in the nation’s top 100.“This move is all the more impressive given Drexel’s 19 rank improvement last year and firmly establishes us in the top 100 universities,” Philip Terranova, vice president for University Relations said. The U.S. News rankings group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. News Media Contact:Noah Cohen, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-2705, 267-228-5599 (cell) or noah.cohen@drexel.edu