Boards feature messages to 'Taki'
Omkar Baxi
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
Remembrance boards for the late Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis were set up throughout campus to offer students a way to express their feelings for his passing.
According to Chakka Reeves, assistant dean for multicultural education and outreach, the remembrance boards were set up by David Ruth, dean of students.
"The faculty and staff have had different events to deal with Papadakis' death. However, we felt that Drexel students would have their unique outlook on the situation and wouldn't have a way to express their feelings of grief or gratitude," Reeves said. "These boards were developed with students in mind - the boards were meant to allow students to express their feelings."
The messages on the remembrance boards reflect the feelings of the overall University as they range from grief regarding Papadakis' death to more joyous messages celebrating his work at Drexel.
Kristen Smith, Undergraduate Student Government Association president, said "I think there were mixed thoughts about Papadakis' presidency - deep down everyone agreed that his actions helped the University, but there were side comments of how 'Taki' ran the school as a business and the amount of money he made as president. After his death, I think students have taken a step back and are really appreciating the changes that Taki made at Drexel."
According to Reeves, the messages are similar to what she expected prior to setting up the boards.
"Grief comes with a closer relationship, which most Drexel students did not have with Papadakis," Reeves said. "However, they did feel the effects of Dr. Papadakis' actions and policies - many of Papadkis' policies changed student experiences at Drexel. … Overall, [we thought that there was] a feeling of loss [in the student population], but more of gratitude."
The remembrance boards will be presented to Papadakis' family and displayed at a memorial service May 7. According to C. R. "Chuck" Pennoni, interim president of Drexel University, the Drexel community will celebrate the life and legacy of Papadakis at the memorial service.
Smith will represent the undergraduate student body at the memorial service and will address Papadakis' legacy at Drexel from the students' perspective. The USGA has also contributed to services for Papadakis in conjunction with the Office of Student Life. Under the guidance of Ida Chen, a trustee at Drexel, the USGA will also write a memoriam book consisting of previous USGA presidents' interactions with Papadakis and their current stances in life, according to Smith.
While no plans for a new president have been revealed, Smith said the USGA will take part in any future selection, if invited by the Drexel administration.
According to Chakka Reeves, assistant dean for multicultural education and outreach, the remembrance boards were set up by David Ruth, dean of students.
"The faculty and staff have had different events to deal with Papadakis' death. However, we felt that Drexel students would have their unique outlook on the situation and wouldn't have a way to express their feelings of grief or gratitude," Reeves said. "These boards were developed with students in mind - the boards were meant to allow students to express their feelings."
The messages on the remembrance boards reflect the feelings of the overall University as they range from grief regarding Papadakis' death to more joyous messages celebrating his work at Drexel.
Kristen Smith, Undergraduate Student Government Association president, said "I think there were mixed thoughts about Papadakis' presidency - deep down everyone agreed that his actions helped the University, but there were side comments of how 'Taki' ran the school as a business and the amount of money he made as president. After his death, I think students have taken a step back and are really appreciating the changes that Taki made at Drexel."
According to Reeves, the messages are similar to what she expected prior to setting up the boards.
"Grief comes with a closer relationship, which most Drexel students did not have with Papadakis," Reeves said. "However, they did feel the effects of Dr. Papadakis' actions and policies - many of Papadkis' policies changed student experiences at Drexel. … Overall, [we thought that there was] a feeling of loss [in the student population], but more of gratitude."
The remembrance boards will be presented to Papadakis' family and displayed at a memorial service May 7. According to C. R. "Chuck" Pennoni, interim president of Drexel University, the Drexel community will celebrate the life and legacy of Papadakis at the memorial service.
Smith will represent the undergraduate student body at the memorial service and will address Papadakis' legacy at Drexel from the students' perspective. The USGA has also contributed to services for Papadakis in conjunction with the Office of Student Life. Under the guidance of Ida Chen, a trustee at Drexel, the USGA will also write a memoriam book consisting of previous USGA presidents' interactions with Papadakis and their current stances in life, according to Smith.
While no plans for a new president have been revealed, Smith said the USGA will take part in any future selection, if invited by the Drexel administration.
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