Spring Break
Tucker seeks to engage students, build on success
By: Ali Qari
Issue date: 6/1/07 Section: News
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:34 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:34 AM EST
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:34 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:34 AM EST
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Tucker had a prestigious career at Cincinnati. He was one of only two business officers in the history of the university to earn Emeritus status, which is usually given as an academic title. During his tenure, he worked with Drexel's current Senior Vice President Anthony Caneris, who reported to Tucker, and University President Constantine Papadakis, who was dean of the engineering school at Cincinnati for a decade.
When Tucker got a call early this year from Caneris, who is retiring at the end of this term, there was little doubt that Tucker was the right man for the job.
"I received a call from Tony, met with President Papadakis, he offered me the position, and here I am," Tucker said.
The meeting was more a job offer than an interview, according to Tucker.
"President Papadakis is one of the most transformational presidents I've met," Tucker said. "If I get to choose who I wanted to work for, it was him. A number of board [of trustees] members said, 'Why did you come here?' I said, 'Because I want to work for Taki.' I want to work for someone who can get things done."
In addition to working for Papadakis, Tucker also said he would be like to begin working more with students, something he didn't get to do as much at Cincinnati. Drexel, with 20,000 students, is roughly half the size of the University of Cincinnati, which serves about 36,000 students. For Tucker, the smaller size of Drexel has allowed him to explore elements of University operations that he could not before-namely student life and athletics.
"That's what really drew me here, working with students and being involved in student activities," he said.
Tucker spoke with excitement about many facets of the athletics program at Drexel.
"During my first week here, I got to watch the men's and women's basketball tournaments," Tucker said.
Tucker began his tenure as Senior Vice President March 1. Since then, Tucker has been sharing an office with Caneris, who has been working with him closely.
"One of the things Tony Caneris has been working with me on is getting me in front of some major community leaders, board members, donors, contractors, vendors, to really transfer his relationships to me," Tucker said. "A big part is meeting the right people to start with in order to get off to a running start."
