Presidential Speeches

2021
- 2021 Commencement
  
  June 11, 2021
  At Drexel’s return to an in-person Commencement following the pandemic, President Fry paid tribute to those whose lives were cut short, honored the heroism of health care and frontline workers, and urged graduates to dedicate themselves to facing the modern challenges of climate change, racial injustice, economic inequality, and preserving a democratic society.
2020
- 2020 Convocation
  
  September 30, 2020
  President Fry pledges fully embrace the mission Drexel founder to create a university open to all and uniquely suited to the needs of a rapidly growing and changing society.
- 2020 Commencement
  
  June 11, 2020
  At the first-ever virtual Commencement, President Fry praises graduates for their resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic and urges them to fight ‘the virus of institutionalized racism’ that infects American society.
2019
- 2019 Future of Work
  
  November 06, 2019
  President Fry spoke about the future of work at the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank’s conference hosted by Drexel University.
- Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
  
  October 02, 2019
  President Fry speaks about Drexel’s Role in the Development of University City
- Inauguration Lecture, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tenn.
  
  September 30, 2019
  Is college necessary anymore? President Fry explores the issue in remarks at a Memphis, Tennessee event celebrating the inauguration of Jack Shannon as president of CBU.
- 2019 Convocation Remarks by President John Fry
  
  September 26, 2019
  President Fry heralds the 100^th anniversary of the Drexel Co-op program.
- 2019 Commencement
  
  June 14, 2019
  President Fry applauds graduates for being ‘active, caring, informed and involved citizens of the world.’
- Gratz College Commencement address
  
  May 19, 2019
  Gratz College and Drexel University may stand a dozen miles apart, but they are practically neighbors, ideologically speaking: true kindred spirits.
2018
- Service Recognition Awards
  
  December 03, 2018
  President Fry recognizes university faculty and professional staff for their milestone years of service.
- 2018 Convocation Remarks by President John Fry
  
  September 27, 2018
  President Fry details the important role universities play in growing and maintaining collections.
- Eulogy for D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Chancellor Emeritus of the Drexel College of Medicine
  
  July 02, 2018
  President Fry lauds Walter Cohen as a man who was deeply admired, respected and revered: a visionary thinker; a paragon of energy; and a builder of bridges.
- 2018 Commencement
  
  June 15, 2018
  President John Fry has one important question for the graduating class of 2018 — and he’s confident that their collective answer will make the entire Drexel community proud.
- National Civil Engineering Department Heads Convene at Drexel
  
  May 30, 2018
  In discussing Drexel’s role as an anchor institution in University City, President John Fry salutes long-time faculty member Charles N. Haas, the LD Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering, for his trailblazing academic and research career.
- Raj and Kamla Gupta Governance Institute
  
  April 16, 2018
  Serving on a corporate or nonprofit board has become an important and complicated job, and that’s where Drexel’s Gupta Governance Institute can help, according to Drexel President John Fry.
2017
- Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank Policy Forum
  
  December 01, 2017
  President John Fry discusses how inclusion and economic growth go hand in hand and are a central focus at Drexel.
- University City District Celebrates 20th Anniversary
  
  November 09, 2017
  President John Fry recounts the early days of the University City District and how it has laid the foundation for even bigger changes to come to West Philadelphia
- Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
  
  October 17, 2017
  President John Fry details how Philadelphia has upped its game to make the city more business friendly; compete in the innovation economy and why the region is a perfect fit for Amazon to locate its second headquarters.
- 2017 Convocation Remarks by President John Fry
  
  September 20, 2017
- 2017 Commencement
  
  June 13, 2017
  President John Fry urges the graduating class of 2017 to use their talents to engage with the world and, in the best Drexel tradition, to be agents of positive change.
- Navy Yard Executives' Annual Meeting
  
  April 13, 2017
  President John Fry discusses the success of the Navy Yard development and the inspiration it provides other business initiatives to make Philadelphia a top-tier metro area.
2016
- 125th Anniversary Commemorative Event
  
  December 07, 2016
  President John Fry traces the legacy, and profound and enduring influence of founder Anthony J. Drexel on Drexel University.
- Drexel at 125 and 150
  
  December 01, 2016
  President John Fry discusses what he sees as the defining features of Drexel University today, and the exciting possibilities for the institution as it evolves over the coming generation.
- 2016 Convocation with Michael M. Crow
  
  September 16, 2016
  Convocation address welcoming Michael M. Crow as guest speaker
- 2016 Commencement
  
  June 11, 2016
  During Drexel University’s 125th year, President John Fry addresses 6,000 graduates at Citizens Bank Park during the first university-wide commencement in two decades.
- 2016 Nirma University Convocation, Ahmedabad, India
  
  April 18, 2016
  Guest convocation address celebrating the shared strengths and friendship between Drexel and Nirma University in Ahmedabad, India.
- Schuylkill Yards Announcement
  
  March 02, 2016
  Presenting the plans for Schuylkill Yards, a major new mixed-use, multi-year development agreement between Drexel and Brandywine Realty Trust that will transform West Philadelphia.
2015
- Anthony J. Drexel Society Gala
  
  November 14, 2015
- World Affairs Council
  
  February 03, 2015
2014
- 2014 Convocation with Paula Marantz Cohen
  
  October 07, 2014
  Focused on the centrality of academics, and in particular faculty, to Drexel’s mission
2013
- Anthony J. Drexel Society Gala
  
  November 23, 2013
  Celebrating the completion of the most ambitious and successful capital campaign in Drexel’s history
- Wallace H. Coulter Centennial Celebration
  
  November 21, 2013
  Remarks on life-saving innovation and the legacy of Wallace H. Coulter, given at the Drexel-Coulter Foundation event "Global Innovation Partnership Forum"
- Cityage: The New American City
  
  November 14, 2013
  Remarks on urban development issues, welcoming an audience of city planning experts and officials to a CityAge conference held at Drexel
- Economy League of Greater Philadelphia: Leadership Exchange
  
  October 25, 2013
  Keynote address on Drexel’s vision for economic development and innovation, given to an audience of rising leaders in the region’s business and nonprofit sectors
- Drexel Convocation with Freeman Hrabowski
  
  October 22, 2013
  Discussion of achievements and challenges in creating a more diverse Drexel community
- Shale Insight Conference, Philadelphia
  
  September 25, 2013
  Remarks on energy policy and Philadelphia’s potential as an energy hub, given to a conference on Marcellus Shale natural gas production
- U.S. House Subcommittee Hearing: The Importance of the Northeast Corridor
  
  June 07, 2013
  Invited testimony on transit-oriented development, in front of a New York City field hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads
- Episcopal Academy Murphy Lecture
  
  March 04, 2013
  Invited remarks on spirituality in innovation, presented to students and teachers at one of the region's leading prep schools
- Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs
  
  January 30, 2013
  Keynote address on the importance of entrepreneurship, given to an audience of innovators in Greater Philadelphia
2012
- Anthony J. Drexel Society Gala
  
  November 17, 2012
  Progress report offered at Drexel’s annual celebration of philanthropy and shared stewardship
- Drexel Convocation with Cora Marret
  
  October 02, 2012
  Discussion of Drexel’s basic and translational research enterprises, at an event themed around research
- Delaware Valley Student Affairs Conference
  
  February 17, 2012
  Keynote address on higher education trends, given to a regional meeting of student affairs professionals
2011
- Anthony J. Drexel Society Gala
  
  November 19, 2011
  Drexel’s accomplishments and strategic direction, updated for leading donors and friends of the University
- Drexel Convocation with Robert McCracken Peck
  
  October 27, 2011
  Brief “state of the University” address at the formal opening of Drexel’s academic year
- Presidential Inauguration
  
  April 14, 2011
  A broad vision and specific goals for Drexel’s impact during President Fry’s tenure
2010
- Drexel Convocation
  
  October 05, 2010
  A commitment to civic engagement and neighborhood strengthening as University priorities, laid out in President Fry’s first address to the Drexel community