The Triangle

Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Dave Hernandez

Media Credit: Dave Hernandez

The Founder's Day Convocation of Drexel University was held Oct. 17 in the auditorium of the Main Hall to officially welcome students, staff and faculty to the new school year.

Opening remarks by University President Constantine Papadakis focused on Drexel's recent achievements as well as its coming plans and goals.

Papadakis said one of the significant achievements that Drexel has made in the last year was the organization of Drexel Green and the sustainability efforts of the University.

"At Drexel, innovation is central," Papadakis said. "Innovation and ideas are flowing from the ground up."

Papadakis added that one of Drexel's "hallmarks" is a "culture of innovation." According to Papadakis, the University is looking to more projects down the road.

"Don't expect me to say that we can rest on our laurels - because we can't," Papadakis said. "A lot more is expected of us. The more success we have, the more we do, the more is expected."

Papadakis said one of these such plans is four new task forces that will be introduced soon, all of which will be dedicated to expanding the curriculum and the undergraduate experience.

According to Papadakis, these initiatives are intended to improve the University, which is, "Looking forward to bigger and better challenges to come."

Papadakis added that the University received high ratings from the U.S. World and News Report, which characterized Drexel as a school to watch for, but that "we don't work for rankings."

Keynote speaker at the event was Daniel Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale, as well as director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale.

Esty outlined the environmental issues facing us today, adding that he remains positive about the outcome. Esty attributed the surge in environmental activity and rising public interest in environmental issues to a growing awareness among students and the rest of the world alike.

"This is where the Drexel century could begin," Esty said. "The mere effort of trying is key."

Esty also highlighted the many opportunities that students have in making "great changes" in environmental attitudes.

Esty explained that revolutions in attitudes and business as well as changing issues "come together" and "drive solutions."

"Student engagement is fundamental to making progress," Esty said.

Esty emphasized the importance of the awareness of environmental issues on Drexel's campus, as well as the work of the students.

"This is the kind of University that is helping people understand [those concerns]," Esty said. "There is going to be great opportunity for a place like Drexel."

Esty added that Drexel is making "strides" in addressing environmental issues.

"There is an enormous foundation for optimism," Esty said. "The future is Drexel."

The event was screened in multiple venues to accommodate a possible overflow of students. Screens were located in Patton Auditorium in Matheson Hall, Mitchell Auditorium in Bossone Center, and Stein Auditorium in Nesbitt Hall.

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