history

Anthony J. Drexel and business partner George W. Childs selected Philadelphia public school superintendent James MacAlister (1840-1913) as the first president of their new Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry.  MacAlister oversaw the institute from its dedication on Dec.

No matter what your area of the Arts and Sciences you pursue, your bound to explore new horizons.

[gallery]

Drexel University has been offering evening programs and courses in nursing and nutrition for over a hundred years.

[gallery]

Drexel has been fostering innovative and creative artistic disciplines since being founded in 1891.

[gallery]

Curtis Hall was completed in 1928. Biomedical Engineering programs began in 1961, and the College of Engineering dates back to Drexel's founding in 1981.

[gallery]

While you can still cruise around the Rush Building, your accounting class will probably look a little different.

[gallery]

Have you ever wondered whom Disque Hall is named after? R. C. Disque (1883-1968) began working at Drexel in 1918. During his long and varied career at Drexel, he was the dean of faculty, head of the electrical engineering department and dean of the School of Engineering.

by Katelyn Wolfrom

On April 19, 2008, the Drexel University men’s crew team came in 1st place at the 51st annual Kerr Cup, a regatta with special ties to Drexel, as it is named in honor of the founder of the university’s crew team, Dr. Thomas Kerr. To commemorate his efforts and the fiftieth anniversary of the team he founded, the Drexel University archives takes a look back at Dr. Thomas Kerr.

by Robin Elliot

In the early twentieth century Drexel participated in training for nurses. At that time nursing was primarily a female profession. There were Nurses Training Schools throughout the country, including Philadelphia. Drexel began offering new scientific classes for nurses which would supplement their regular training. Drexel did not intend to simply offer scientific courses; instead they wanted to help the student be an all around better nurse. The curriculum would therefore include English Language and Literature to ensure proper writing skills. They would also take classes in Vocal Expression. Students in the nursing program would have access to public lectures and the library from Drexel. It is unclear if this program was implemented at Drexel at this time.

by Robin Elliot

The Sarah van Rensselaer Dormitory was the home of female students at Drexel for many decades. In promotional pamphlets Drexel accentuated the educational and social aspects of college life for female students. There were three main tracks for undergraduate female students, Business Administration, Home Economics and Engineering. The Women’s Student Government Association was a crucial part of student life because of its direct connection to dormitory life. Students were required to live in the dorms if they did not have parents or an aunt or uncle who could house them while at Drexel.
Dorm rooms were similar to dorm rooms today. However more furniture was provided by Drexel than is usual for college students today. Drexel students had beds, mattresses, lamps, rugs, glass curtains and other furniture in their rooms when they arrived. Students were told to bring towels, sheets, and blankets, similar to today’s students. The rooms had hot and cold running water, but bathrooms and showers were available on each hall.