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Drexel Institute in 1891

The history of Drexel University began in ____, when financier Anthony Joseph Drexel .. came up with the idea

[1] [2]

Outline

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  1. Pre-founding and founding
    1. AJ Drexel's vision
    2. Location/Building
    3. Class size/type of instruction
  2. Shift to degree granting institute (1915)
  3. Stuff that happened between 1915 and 1984 (name changes..)
  4. Decline and financial crisis
  5. Recent years
    1. Campus and educational expansion (medical, law)
    2. Location expansion

Early years

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Name changes
1891: Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry
1936: Drexel Institute of Technology
1970: Drexel University

The creation of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry was the result of Anthony Joseph Drexel's desire to establish "a foundation which would supply the basic human need of self-realization through useful and creative effort."[3] Drexel had initially considered creating a school for girls, but felt that "...an institution which took young women from their own homes would hardly fit them for future success and happiness."[4] It wasn't until Drexel attended an exhibition at the Spring Garden Institute, with George W. Childs, that the idea of founding a technical school similar to that of the Institute came to mind.

Drexel began investing other technical schools in the region such as the Pratt Institute and the Spring Garden Institute.

hmm.. reading this wrong?

The concept of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry was the result of Anthony Joseph Drexel's desire to help further education for women.[5] It was not until Drexel attended an exhibition at the Spring Garden Institute, with George W. Childs, that the idea of a women's institute evolved into one of a broader scope, similar to that of the Institute. After Drexel conducted further research into institutions such as the Cooper Institute, the Pratt Institute, and other technical schools he decided to establish an institute "on the largest basis and the soundest and broadest foundation."[6]

Info about AJD's realization that the institute would have to be flexible and progressive. "Accent at the Institute had necessarily to be, and was, upon current technological developments in Greater Philadelphia"[7] Info about further wide spread research into technical schools. Mention that Pratt Institute was probably the strongest influence on Drexel Ins. AJD commissioned architects to go abroad and study foreign technical systems of education before completing the plans for the institute.

Drexel's desire "was to establish an institution that would prove helpful in the largest sense to the greatest number of the self-supporting, self-respecting portion of the community."[8] The technical institute would provide "a foundation which would supply the basic human need of self-realization through useful and creative effort."[9]

Pre-founding. Drexel wanted to create a school for girls. Purchased land in Wayne, Pennsylvania for this purpose. Dropped the idea with the thought that "...an institution which took young women from their own homes would hardly fit them for future success and happiness" Attended the annual exhibit of the Spring Garden Institute, a technical school, with George W. Childs. After investigating other like-minded schools (Cooper Institute (Cooper Union?), Pratt Institute and other schools that taught 'useful arts and industries') Drexel decided to establish a similar school. "His aim and end was the establishment of a foundation which would supply the basic human need of self-realization through useful and creative effort" The plan for Drexel In. was heavily influenced by the Pratt Institute, founded by Charles Pratt, who was in turn influenced by a survey of schools: Rose Polytechnic, Terre Haute, and MIT and European technical schools. Sent building architect to Europe to "study foreign technical systems of education" before finishing the plans. Plans completed then the site (32nd and Chestnut) picked out? Work begun in 1889, intention for school wasn't announced until after the work began. Took 15 years for the idea to mature and come to full bloom through study, reports, and trips.

Drexel building site = significance. "For the site of the new Institute he chose a lot at the corner of Thirty-second and Chestnut streets, a point where, according to Anthony Drexel Biddle, Drexel and Childs met each morning for their daily walk into town. This location seemed suitable because it was "within easy reach of every part of the city and subburbs by steam, electric, cable and horse cars, and central to the best of the working population of that great industrial city"." pg. 19. Drexel architect Joseph M. Wilson of the Wilson Brothers and Company.

AJD gift of over $1,500,000 for instruction, equipment and endowment. (in 1891 or earlier?)[2]

purpose of the institute: "...the founder's purpose contemplates supplying a useful, practical education to men and women whose stations will be in the great army of industrial workers, rather than in the learned professions"[2]

Building dedication

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building dedication address by Chauncey Depew. Presentation of Deed of Trust by Wayne MacVeagh in lieu of Drexel. Depew's address was a eulogy for technical training. "The manual-training school solves the problem of labor and industrial development. Here will be given instruction in the principles of science, art, and mechanics, and their application to the mill and the mine, the factory and the furnace, the shop and the engine."

Founded with 11 departments:

  1. Art Department,
  2. Scientific Department,
  3. Department of Mechanic Arts,
  4. Department of Domestic Economy,
  5. Technical Department,
  6. Business Department
  7. Department of Physical Training
  8. Normal Department for the Training of Teachers
  9. Department of Lectures and Evening Classes
  10. Library and Reading Room
  11. Museum

Has day and evening classes, set up to serve both men and women from the beginning. "The number of such schools does not supply the demand for this kind of education"[2]

Middle

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  1. Co-op (either beginning or middle)
  2. Change from Institute to University

Decline and financial crisis

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Recent years

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1995 - present

  1. Expansion

Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Mr. Drexel's Noble Work". New York Times. December 17, 1891. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "The Drexel Institute". New York Times. December 16, 1891. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ McDonald (1942), p. 17.
  4. ^ McDonald (1942), p. 16.
  5. ^ 16
  6. ^ 17 note: this is a quote from AJD obit
  7. ^ 18
  8. ^ quote by MacA pg. 18
  9. ^ McDonald (1942), p. 17.

References

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  • Kotzin, Miriam N. (1983). A History of Drexel University 1941 - 1963. Drexel University. ISBN 09610902. OCLC 10011943. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help)
  • McDonald, Edward D. (1942). Drexel Institute of Technology 1891 - 1941. Haddon Craftsmen, Inc. ISBN 1406763748. OCLC 3215970. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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{{Drexel University}} [[:Category:History of United States colleges and universities]]

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