Historical Overview

The school opened its doors in 1892 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. Founded by financier Anthony Joseph Drexel, the Institute was established to improve employment opportunities for both men and women by providing higher education that emphasized technical and vocational training. Drexel did not offer degree granting programs like a traditional school of higher learning until 1914, when the institute first awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. The first graduate degrees were offered in 1931 in the School of Home Economics. The school name was officially shortened to the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936. In 1969, school officials requested university status from the state of Pennsylvania. In 1970, Drexel Institute became Drexel University.

Resources On Drexel History

• Timeline of Drexel History, 1889 - present
• Bibliography of Drexel History - source about Drexel University and Drexel family
• Drexel Colleges and Schools, 1891 - present
• Drexel Buildings, 1891 - present
• Drexel Presidents, 1891 - present

Historical Essays

These historical essays by former Drexel Archivist Stephen Janick originally appeared in the newsletter Library News:

• “The Origins of the Drexel Dragon.” Library News 1, no. 8 (November 2000) [PDF]
  
• 'Drexel's 'Illustrious' Beginning -- The Contributions of Howard Pyle.' Library News 1, no. 2 (April 2000) [PDF]
• 'N. Joseph Woodland -- Inventor of Bar Code and Drexel Grad.' Library News 1, no. 3 (May 2000) [PDF]

External Resources

• Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Archives - a religious order founded in 1891 by Saint Katharine Drexel
• 'A University with a Difference: The Unique Vision of Anthony J. Drexel,' the 2001 Newcomen lecture delivered by Dr. Constantine Papadakis