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Giuliani to address inaugural class of law graduates
Cameron Birch
Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: News
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The commencement of the inaugural class will be held at The Kimmel Center. The Associated Press reported there will be 160 graduates from the school and Giuliani is also set to receive an honorary degree.
The Philadelphia Daily News site featured on their blog that Giuliani was a "pal" of the late Drexel President Constantine "Taki" Papadakis, who passed away last month.
Papadakis organized the project that led to the institution of the law school. The college of law received its name from donor Earle Mack, philanthropist and former United States ambassador to Finland.
The Drexel University College of Medicine commencement is also staged to take place May 15 at The Kimmel Center. At the ceremony, over 235 doctor of medicine degrees will be awarded among 363 total graduates.
John Prescott, chief academic officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges, will deliver the keynote address to the College of Medicine graduates. Papadakis will also receive a posthumous honorary doctorate of medical sciences degree.
"I can't imagine that we would not be doing some special ceremony for our president," David Ruth, dean of students at Drexel University and a planner of the university commencement, said.
Ruth also said it will be a "touching moment" when Papadakis' family receives the degree on his behalf.
Ruth noted changes from past years' ceremonies, which include diplomas being mailed to students after the ceremony, instead of being picked up in the main building afterwards.
Additionally, renovations to the Daskalakis Athletic Center have caused minor changes. The front entrance will be temporarily opened for the ceremony for graduates to enter after walking from Nesbitt Hall on Lancaster Walk.
"[The DAC] is like a theatre inside … it's beautiful," Ruth said.
The gymnasium will be well decorated with carpeting, the dean emphasized. The economy has also had no effect on the ceremony.
"[It's] the biggest day in the life of the University," Ruth said.
The dean reiterated the uniqueness of the Drexel ceremony and said each student is individually recognized, which is a unique characteristic of the ceremony.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Carol
posted 5/15/09 @ 6:51 AM EST
Would have been nice to have someone speak at the law school graduation that the students wanted. I have only heard overwhelming dismay at the choice of Giuliani for speaker. (Continued…)
pittsburgh movers
posted 5/18/09 @ 2:17 PM EST
I agree, it would have been better if the students had some sort of say in who the speaker would be. It seems like Giuliani was chosen because he was a friend of the president rather than because the student body is interested in what he has to say. (Continued…)
John
posted 5/24/09 @ 10:12 AM EST
I am sure that these posters will be happy to know that Drexel Law graduates did want Giuliani to speak. Its just that the nay-sayers were so loud and obnoxious in their protest that they crowded out any discussion of the law students that want Giulianni. (Continued…)
DrexelGrad2005
posted 6/04/09 @ 2:47 AM EST
Wait. So you're a law student and you were over-powered by someone? Hopefully, you're going into contract law and never planning on being Lead Council. (Continued…)
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