Student essays

Drexel University Archives is pleased to present the work of ten Drexel students writing about innovation at Drexel.  Each Thursday during this Spring quarter, we will feature a new essay. These essays were written for Professor Sheryl Simons' English 102 class, Winter quarter 2011.

All the articles in the series can be accessed here.

This essay is the eighth in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

The Growth of Business Education at Drexel

by Iker Lambarri

The study of business at Drexel dates back to the Institute's founding in 1891. The “business department,” as it was then called, was far less structured and developed than the current LeBow College of Business. In order for this “business department” to become the “LeBow College of Business,” it had to undergo many changes over a long period of time.

This essay is the seventh in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

The Armory and "The Dandy First" 103rd Engineer Regiment

by Christopher Murphy

Before the United States was established as a nation, Benjamin Franklin had laid the framework in Philadelphia for one of the greatest domestic military branches in the world. The 103rd Engineer Regiment, “the Dandy First,” created in 1747, is considered the first regiment of the nation’s National Guard.

This essay is the sixth in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: Antoinette Westphal

by Emily Kim

Drexel University’s art corner, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design (AWCoMaD), is located at the corner of 33rd and Market Street. The college offers 14 undergraduate and 5 graduate degrees as well as a summer program for prospective high school students. The school has endured more than a century’s worth of name changes, some ten at last count.

In the student center, the wall plaque reads: “A compassionate and witty gentleman, a scholar of repute, the students’ champion. A sensitive humanist, he molded a dynamic technological institution devoted to enriching the quality of life for all mankind.” While heartfelt, the words only begin to measure the true impact of James Creese on the Drexel Institute.

This essay is the fourth in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

Women in Sports at Drexel

by Andi Stampone and Tanmai Rayavarapu

Since its inception, Drexel University has always encouraged its women students to participate in athletics. Today, we have eight women’s Division I sports teams: basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, swimming, tennis, rowing, and softball.

This essay is the third in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

Mario the Magnificent

by Anthony Lloyd II and Estefany Zamorano

Drexel has the honor to present one of the most authoritative and vibrant mascots: The Dragon. How this dragon became a part of Drexel as "Mario the Magnificent" is an unusual, yet compelling story. Mario the Magnificent stands ten feet tall and overlooks the intersection of 33^rd and Market Streets.

This essay is the second in the series Drexel students write about Drexel history

Left in the Dark

by William F.

Drexel Archives is proud to present the work of ten Drexel students writing about Drexel history. Each week in the winter quarter, we will feature a new essay. Thanks to Professor Sheryl Simons and all the students in English 101, Fall quarter 2010.

Anthony J. Drexel

by Megan Jones

I can still clearly remember the day my Drexel acceptance letter arrived but it was not until I began to research this essay that I finally found out who A.J. Drexel really was.

Anthony J. Drexel was born on September 13, 1826, in Philadelphia, PA.