The Triangle

Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Mayur Chandriani

Drexel University's Constantine Papadakis Integrated Science Building's groundbreaking ceremony occurred Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. The innovative structure, built on the corner of 33rd and Chestnut streets, will be the new home of many of the University's science programs and is named for the University's late president, Constantine Papadakis, who passed away earlier this year after complications from lung cancer.

"This is a bittersweet event; although our students will have a first rate science center, we are all saddened that the man it's named after will not be present to see the completion of his vision," Provost Mark Greenberg remarked at the start of the night, reminding everyone of the man who was being honored by the new building.

The groundbreaking event was attended by much of the University administration, many faculty members, and quite a few students, as well as the guests of honor: Papadakis' wife and daughter. Interim President Chuck "C.R." Pennoni had announced at the University's commencement in June that the new building would be named after the late president, under whose tenure planning for the building began.

"The building reflects Drexel's commitment to develop and maintain a healthy, efficient and ecologically, sound campus environment," Papadakis had commented in 2007, when the design for the then unnamed building was announced.

His sentiments seemed to be echoed among the participants during Tuesday night's events.

"We've been hearing talk about getting a new building for a long time. Our old building just doesn't have the facilities for things we need for biology, [like] wet labs and stuff, and hopefully the new building will have what we need," Jack Suss, a graduate student studying biology, said.

The old building Suss refers to is Stratton Hall, where many of the science lab classes are currently held. This arrangement has been problematic in the past. As recently as July, the Stratton building was closed for two days due to a burst water pipe, an event that University administration blamed on the age of the building.

"Hopefully we can do experiments without pipes bursting [and] interrupting us," Suss quipped.

As for what will become of the old Stratton building, Donna Murasko, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences said that she wasn't sure yet, but that they were looking to use it as expanded classroom space, and as lab space for other science classes until plans for Stratton's future are officially made.

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