Drexel Names New President, Opens Athletic Center

John A. Fry Named Drexel University’s 14th President

Drexel University’s Board of Trustees named John A. Fry as the University’s 14th president after a unanimous vote, announced Chairman Richard A. Greenawalt. Fry is currently president of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. and a former University of Pennsylvania executive. He will begin his tenure at Drexel on August 1.

“John Fry’s entrepreneurial spirit, practical experience and strong sense of vision and leadership mirror Drexel’s core values and are essential in continuing the University’s upward trajectory,” said Greenawalt. “His impressive record of success at both Franklin & Marshall and the University of Pennsylvania will help seamlessly position Drexel for the future. On behalf of the Drexel Board of Trustees, students, faculty and staff, I welcome John to Drexel and extend our deepest gratitude to Chuck Pennoni for his tireless efforts in serving this great institution as interim president.”

Drexel Opens Newest Market Street Landmark: A Recreation Center Complex

New facility boasts “green” features

Drexel opened the doors this month to its new Recreation Center designed to become the epicenter of student wellness at the University. The 84,000-square-foot-facility wraps around Drexel’s existing 156,000-square-foot Daskalakis Athletic Center (DAC) and connects to it. The eco-friendly, three-story structure completely transforms the landscape on Market Street between 33rd and 34th Streets. The facility boasts a number of green features, including a system that maintains storm-water flows by collecting rain water into a 36,000-gallon underground cistern. Gym-goers produce energy to power a sign that will read “Drexel Dragons” when working out on any of the 12 elliptical machines that use ReRev technology to convert kinetic energy into electricity. A standard 30-minute workout on an elliptical can produce up to 50 watts of clean, carbon-free energy. The new Recreation Center houses a 13,000-square-foot multipurpose gym, 0.10 mile walking/jogging track, 17,000-square-foot weight and fitness area, two squash courts with a viewing area and spectator seating, two group exercise rooms featuring aerobic flooring, an expansive public lobby and athletics gallery and a rock-climbing wall.

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