Drexel University - Spartan Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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if ' wk if 'A' ADMINISTRATION and FACULTY

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History of Drexel lnstitttte REXEL INSTITUTE was founded in 1891 through the efforts of Anthony J. Drexel, widely known banker, and one of the most prominent citizens of Philadelphia. It was his hope in founding D1'exel Institute to establish a school wherein young men and women could receive a training, 11012 only in business and industry, but also in those less tangible things which lead to a fuller and a richer life. At the time that Drexel was founded the need for technically trained men WZIS just beginning to be felt in business and industry. The men in charge of the Institute at that time saw that the curriculum would have to be enlarged in order to satisfy the demands of this new and rapidly expanding field. A course in engineering was therefore initiated which, to a great extent, absorbed and finally supplanted the o1'iginal departments. It is due to the foresight of these men that Drexel emerged from a trade school to become one of the outstanding technical colleges of the country. r The first course in Electrical Engineering was begun in 1893 under the leadership of Professor Rowland, and from this start the present degree courses Were developed. The first degrees were granted in 1915. At about the same time the separation of the graduates into Civil, Electrical, and hlechanical Engineers began. Later courses were offered in Chemical and Commercial .Engineering The Business Administration and Home Economics Schools have also expanded rapidly from the courses offered thirty years ago to the broad, well planned curriculum of today. The first president of the Institute was James MacAlister, L. L.D. He retired in 1913, receiving the title of President Emeritus. Horace Cburchman of the Board of Trustees was president until the election of Hollis Godfrey in December Of the same year. Dr. Godfrey headed the Institute during the t1'ying times of 1916 to 1918 when the ordinary activities of the School were interrupted by feverish preparations for war. In 1920 Dr. Godfrey retired and was succeeded in 1922 by D1'. Kenneth G. Mathesoii, a man well known and respected by both students and faculty. Under his able leadership Drexel Institute expanded rapidly. The new engineering building, Curtis Hall was erected, and the Drexel Lodge was acquired. The Sarah Drexel Van Rensselaer Dormitory for Woinexi, which was made possible through the benevolence of the late Cyrus H. K. Curtis, was a crowning achievement of Dr. Matheson's program of expansion. His death in November 1931 was an irreparable loss to the Institute. After the death of Dr. lVlatheson an executive board consisting of Dean Disque, Dean Stratton, Mr. Spivey and Dean Wagenseller was appointed to act until a new president should be selected. This 'board served until October, 1932, when the present Executive, Dr. Parke R. Kolbe, assumed office. Under his leadership the Institute continues to advance. Improvements in plant, equipment, and methods are constantly being made. A survey of the history of Drexel Institute convinces one that it has in the past, and will continue in the future to live up to the ideals, which its Founder, Anthony Drexel, set for it. s1!iQ1!m26D3Q+ I X Y 9 r ix 6 1 X 3 dll-15393