Spring Break
Friends, family remember Papadakis' life
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
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Maria Papadakis said her first memory of Drexel was walking into the Main Building with her father, asking him if the University was a castle.
"I asked my dad … are you working in a castle? And he said, 'Yes I am,'" Maria said.
She said her father's legacy lives on in memories, in people who were touched by his vision and in his dreams that have yet to be carried out.
Rendell said Papadakis had "unflagging" optimism and had an incredible personality and charisma that he used to promote Drexel to the community.
"Bobby Kennedy said that few people change history on their own. Taki did," Rendell said. "He … could light up any room."
Rendell also said Papadakis stretched the imaginations of those around him.
"The first job of a leader is to chart a vision," Rendell said. "But the second and most important job is to convince those around him that the vision is achievable."
Rendell, who was mayor of Philadelphia before becoming governor, said he and Papadakis had many conversations during his days as mayor. When he became governor, he had more resources, and Papadakis was "relentless" in getting him to utilize them.
"Taki was only doing his job, but he did it so well," Rendell said. "He was a force of nature."
Nutter echoed Rendell and also described Papadakis as a "force of history," a "great" man and leader who not only listened, but took action.
"If you focus on the growth in our city, you have to focus on Constantine Papadakis," Nutter said. "He was a powerhouse for great learning and research."
Nikhil Jain, president of the student government association at the College of Medicine, said Papadakis embraced and added to the value of the medical school.
"As a future physician, I couldn't stand here today without Dr. Papadakis," Jain said.
Jain said the merger between Drexel and MCP Hahnemann University joined the "technical strength" of Drexel with the "rich" history of the College of Medicine.
"This opportunity and innovation lead to one dynamic force for medical education, care and research," Jain said. "We shouldn't measure his life only based on how many lives he's already touched, but how many students', physicians' and patients' lives will be touched."
Many people in their speeches referred to Papadakis as ancient Greek heroes, including Provost Marc Greenberg, who cited him as "our Odysseus."
"He was a master of the mental fight," Greenberg said. "The outcome was never annihilation, but a shared victory."
Greenberg said Papadakis focused on "becoming" and encouraged taking risks, because even if they failed, they could learn from the mistakes.
"We shared with him in the heroic adventure that transformed this University," Greenberg said. "This is why we celebrate today, a life well-lived, and our joy at being a part of it."
Jamaal Brown, a police officer in the Drexel Police Department, also touched on how Papadakis became his personal hero. He said he most admired Papadakis' dedication to his work and his family, that seeing Papadakis' interaction with his wife and daughter made him want to be a better husband.
"I felt like if I put forth a fraction of the effort and work he did, I could accomplish a lot," Brown said.
Brown reflected on a moment when Papadakis congratulated him on his application to the new Drexel Police force, telling him it was a good decision.
"I couldn't wait to go home and tell them I got the heads up from the big guy," Brown said, beginning to cry.
Kristen Smith, undergraduate student government association president, said Papadakis always thought bigger, and pushed students to make good ideas great.
George Ross, former chairman of the Board of Trustees, said that during the search for Drexel's president in 1995, he traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio with a colleague to meet Papadakis and his family. The next day, they interviewed everyone from the president to the janitors at University of Cincinnati, where Papadakis was Dean of the College of Engineering, and realized that Papadakis was the right choice.
Throughout the tribute, undergraduate and graduate students read letters from the president of the University of Pennsylvania, the president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and former president Bill Clinton, which were sent to Papadakis' family upon his passing.
This article has been corrected.
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