July

COVID 19 Testing, Training Prior to Campus Return

The following message was sent to the Drexel community from President John Fry: Over the course of the past month, Drexel's Return Oversight Committee has kept a watchful eye on the concerning trends in the coronavirus' trajectory both in our region and across the country.

In a message to Drexel students on July 31, Senior Vice President for Student Success Subir Sahu provided more information on the mandatory COVID-19 Student Training course and the online Dragon Pledge. Return to Campus: COVID-19 Student Training and Pledge
In a message to Drexel students on July 31, Senior Vice President for Student Success Subir Sahu provided more information on the mandatory COVID-19 Student Training course and the online Dragon Pledge.
MXene layers Drexel to Host Nation's First International Conference on MXene Research
Drexel University will host more than 2,000 researchers from around the world for a virtual conference, Aug. 3-7, to share their work and learn about the latest discoveries related to MXene, an extraordinarily versatile family of two-dimensional materials first discovered and studied at Drexel in 2011. Held on the ninth anniversary of their discovery, the MXene Conference 2020 is the fourth international gathering focused exclusively on these materials and the first to be held in the United States.
Main Building lit up in blue and gold for Drexel's virtual celebration for the Class of 2020. A Virtual Update on Drexel’s 2020–2030 Strategic Plan
On July 28, several members of the Executive Planning Committee provided insight into how they are working to prepare for Drexel’s future in the midst of this year’s unique challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racial injustice.
In a message to Drexel students on July 28, Senior Vice President for Student Success Subir Sahu outlines student guidelines for fall. As Campus Reopens, Student Safety is Priority
In a message to Drexel students on July 28, Senior Vice President for Student Success Subir Sahu outlines student guidelines for fall, including a new information hub about the return to campus, face covering and social distancing rules, the Drexel Health Tracker app and a mandatory COVID-19 training course.
Heard Around Campus Heard Around Campus — July
Learn about updates related to the return to campus, including parking updates and local business and Drexel brands on campus that have re-started their operations.
When spring/summer co-op students started to lose positions due to the hardships brought on by COVID-19, several University colleges, schools and departments heeded the call to create new positions and provide funding to support this Drexel rite of passage. Drexel Rallies Around Co-op Students Affected by the Pandemic
When spring/summer co-op students started to lose positions due to the hardships brought on by COVID-19, several University colleges, schools and departments heeded the call to create new positions and provide funding to support this Drexel rite of passage.
Online Session for Faculty and Professional Staff Shares Campus Return Coping Strategies Online Session for Faculty and Professional Staff Shares Campus Return Coping Strategies
In the July 23 presentation “When Pandemic Becomes Endemic: Managing Distress While Living With Covid-19,” College of Medicine Vice Chair for Education, and Director of Residency and Professor of psychiatry Donna Sudak, MD, suggested ways in which Dragons can manage their anxiety in these uncertain times.
MXene titanium carobonitride Drexel and KIST Researchers Discover a New MXene Material's Extraordinary Ability to Block Electromagnetic Interference

As we welcome wireless technology into more areas of life, the additional electronic bustle is making for an electromagnetically noisy neighborhood. In hopes of limiting the extra traffic, researchers at Drexel University have been testing two-dimensional materials known for their interference-blocking abilities. Their latest discovery, reported in the journal Science, is of the exceptional shielding ability of a new two-dimensional material that can absorb electromagnetic interference rather than just deflecting back into the fray.

Dragon statue with text: campus update, July 22 Watchwords for the Fall: Best Practices, Flexibility, Working Together

The following message was sent to the Drexel community from President John Fry: I know that many of you are concerned with how the pandemic’s recent trajectory will impact our plans for September, even questioning whether our hybrid approach of remote and face-to-face teaching, student engagement and research still makes sense. Please know that I hear your concerns.

Provost Paul Jensen standing in the Great Court of the Main Building Paul E. Jensen, PhD, Named Nina Henderson Provost at Drexel
Following a national search, Paul E. Jensen, PhD, has been named Executive Vice President and Nina Henderson Provost at Drexel University.
Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities Donald E. Moore. Donald Moore Named One of Region’s Top Minority Business Leaders
The Philadelphia Business Journal has recognized Moore, Drexel’s vice president of real estate and facilities, as one of the top minority business leaders in the region for 2020.
Nurse take patient's blood pressure Lifelong Discrimination Associated with Greater Risk of High Blood Pressure in African Americans
Experiences of discrimination over a lifetime is associated with high blood pressure in African American adults, according to findings published this month in the journal Hypertension from researchers at the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health.
athletics logo Drexel Announces Changes to Fall Intercollegiate Athletics

Drexel University has announced that its varsity athletics teams will not be competing in intercollegiate athletics this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes teams that would be competing in both championship and non-championship seasons.

Exterior of Drexel's Main Building Stronger Advocates and Better Partners on Anti-Racism

The following message was sent to the University community from Drexel President John Fry: I am writing to update you on where we stand in advancing the anti-racism agenda that I laid out last month. I am deeply committed to creating an anti-racist community at Drexel where all students, faculty, and professional staff know they are seen for their individual skills and talents, and not judged through the lens of preconceived racist notions, thoughts or beliefs. As a university, we are equipped to tackle racism by educating our community and practicing the behaviors we value.

dragon statue with the words campus update July 15 Hybrid Learning Model, Best Health Practices Reaffirm Fall Plans

With more than two months until the September 21 start of our fall quarter, we are deep into implementing a hybrid model for the new academic year. Our aim is to combine face-to-face teaching, student engagement and research, while responsibly reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and infection utilizing recommended, evidence-based public health measures augmented by testing protocols and individual health monitoring through the Drexel Health Tracker app.

A magnet made of entries from the "Paws"itive Art Contest. Photo courtesy Janine Erato. ‘Paws’itive Art Contest Digs Up Art by Drexel Dragons
Drexel’s therapy dogs recently announced the winners of their springtime competition — and the entries were really “fetch”ing.
The Steinbright Career Development Center announced the winners of their annual Cooperative Education Awards despite the fact that COVID-19 halted plans for an awards ceremony. Drexel Recognizes Career-Defining Co-op Experiences, Exemplary Students Amidst Pandemic
The Steinbright Career Development Center announced the winners of their annual Cooperative Education Awards despite the fact that COVID-19 halted plans for an awards ceremony.
Two Drexel University undergraduate students share their hardship with remote learning last term brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they overcame them with help from University resources. Drexel Student Struggles, Triumph With Remote Learning
Two Drexel University undergraduate students share their hardship with remote learning last term brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they overcame them with help from University resources.
CAA podium President John Fry Elected Chair of Colonial Athletic Association Board of Directors
Drexel University President John Fry has been elected as chair of the Colonial Athletic Association Board of Directors for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years. The Board of Directors is composed of the presidents and chancellors of the CAA’s member institutions.
Exterior of Drexel's Main Building Drexel Stands in Support With Our International Students

I am writing to express my strong and unequivocal support for international students at Drexel University and to assure the University community that we will work closely with every international student to protect their Drexel education.

From left to right: Allen Riddick, Una Massenburg, Charlene Rice and Bo Solomon volunteering to clean the area near 52nd and Market streets on June 13. In West Philadelphia, Drexel Staff and Programs Help with Cleanup and Commerce
When shops in West Philadelphia were damaged on May 31 in the aftermath of citywide social justice protests, Drexel professional staff tapped into their networks and connections to help with recovery.
Philadelphia Business Journal Names Drexel a ‘Healthiest Employer’ Winner Philadelphia Business Journal Names Drexel a ‘Healthiest Employer’ Winner
The University was included in the publication’s annual list celebrating Philly workplaces that excel in and emphasize employee wellness.
New Drexel University Public Safety & U image. PUBLIC SAFETY & U — July
The Department of Public Safety shared tips for staying safe during times of hot weather, barbecues and home-use fireworks.
Jason S. Schupbach, director of The Design School at Arizona State University, has been named to succeed Allen Sabinson as dean of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. ASU Design School Director Jason S. Schupbach Named Dean of Westphal College
Jason S. Schupbach, director of The Design School at Arizona State University, has been named to succeed Allen Sabinson as dean of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
Pandemic in PA's Prisons New Report: Pandemic in PA’s Prisons Warns of a Looming Public Health Crisis
The spread of the virus in Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities is particularly likely and dangerous due to a confluence of systemic factors, which are documented in a recently released report, from legal scholars in the Andy and Gwen Stern Community Lawyering Clinic at Drexel University and the Amistad Law Project, titled Pandemic in PA’s Prisons.