Learn about the history of the football program at Drexel in the Archives’ new exhibition, Dragons on the Gridiron, which chronicles the program from beginning to end, on and off the field. The exhibition includes items selected and contributed by Drexel football alumni.
Harry Purnell is tackled by a Coast Guard player, 1963
Tonight’s opening reception (4-6 p.m. at W. W. Hagerty Library) will be a Coffee and Conversation event, a format you may remember from last September’s “Access Everywhere” opening night. Dr. Eric Zillmer will lead a discussion of the role of athletics in the University, past, present and future. Special Guests will include alumni who played on the Drexel football teams of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Cheerleaders in the Homecoming parade
Do you find inspiration in a library? Astronaut Paul Richards did. At today’s “Dragons of the Space Shuttle Era” event, Paul Richards ’89 explained that he prepared himself to become an astronaut while at Drexel not just by studying mechanical engineering but also reading biographies of astronauts on microfiche here in Hagerty Library. Mr. Richards fulfilled the dream he first had while watching the Apollo 14 launch in kindergarten in May 2001 when he become the 400th human in space. Richards and fellow astronaut Chris Ferguson ’83 shared these and other stories today in Drexel’s Mitchell Auditorium. The astronauts answered questions from moderator Terry Ruggles and from the audience, including these highlights:
Asked if piloting the Space Shuttle was like flying a brick, Ferguson answered, “You can make a brick fly if you put a big enough engine on it. That’s what we’ve done with the space shuttle.”
Asked about his spacewalk, Richards answered, “It’s a misnomer to say you walk. You move with your fingertips and your hands. If your feet are moving, you’re probably kicking something that shouldn’t be kicked.”
Asked about the future of the space program, Richards answered that the moon should be our next target. He dismissed the “been there, done that” attitude, explaining that the moon landing in 1969 was comparable to Columbus’s 1492 landing in the new world; whereas a permanent base on the moon would be like the 1620 settlement at Jamestown — wholly different.
Chris Ferguson shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming launch of the Mars Science Laboratory and encouraged attendees to watch the video simulation of the MSL’s landing on the surface of Mars, which is scheduled for August 2012. Perhaps a whole new generation of Drexel students will be inspired by explorations of Mars and the moon, as Ferguson and Richards were in the 1980s.
Here’s a guest post from Archives intern Phoebe Kowalewski:
The papers of the late Belver Griffith have been processed and are now ready for research use.
A former professor at the iSchool, Belver Griffith is internationally recognized for his contributions in scientific communication, citation analysis and bibliometrics. He became a Drexel faculty member in 1969. During his tenure he was instrumental in establishing the doctoral degree program in information science. He also continued to research and write voraciously, often collaborating with other scholars in his field, including Derek de Solla Price, Nicholas Mullins, and others. Many of the resulting articles, reports and books remain among the most cited of their field. After over twenty years at Drexel, Griffith received emeritus status in 1992. He died in Philadelphia in 1999.
The Belver Griffith papers shed much light on the acclaimed professor’s scholarly activities from the 1960s until the late 1980s. Given the importance of his research, this collection of primary sources serves as a treasure trove for students and scholars in the field of information science. The collection primarily consists of Dr. Griffith’s correspondence with collaborators and other scholars studying scientific communication and information science. Included with these correspondences are drafts and edited manuscripts of several articles and reports. Examining these materials, researchers will get an intimate view of the exhaustive intellectual and collaborative processes that are behind Griffith’s work. Also of interest are several lectures, information on the awards Griffith received, a memoir dating from 1972, and reports of professional activities. Due to issues of confidentially, some portions of the collection are restricted.
Researchers who want to use this collection may contact the archives.
Archives exhibition opening reception today
Wednesday, May 11 • 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Please join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibition, “Access for Everyone: Computing at Drexel, 1946 – 1984″ today, Wednesday, May 11th from 4 to 6 PM in W. W. Hagerty Library. The reception includes refreshments and a live demo of vintage computers, co-sponsored by TechServ.
Drexel University made history with its Microcomputer Project in 1984, which required all incoming freshman to purchase a personal computer. However, the history of computing at Drexel dates back to the very beginning of computer history. This exciting exhibit traces the growing role of computers at Drexel and the University’s initiatives to provide access to the Drexel academic community.
Computer science lab, undated
Can’t make it to the opening? Check out the online exhibition here!
Please join us for a reception to mark the opening of the Archives new exhibition, “Dear Mr. President: Letters to and from the Drexel Presidents.” The reception will be held on the first floor of Hagerty Library from 4-6 p.m. today. Light refreshments will be served
The exhibition includes correspondence to and from students, parents, faculty, alumni and the public and demonstrates the changing role of academic leaders since the founding of the Drexel Institute 120 years ago.
We hope to see you there!
Letter from Mrs. E. B. Kelly to President W. W. Hagerty, 1969
