March 2021 Campaign Update

The Campaign for Drexel Fundraising total stands at more than $685 million, propelled by alumni and friends committed to supporting students as they navigate complex societal challenges – a global pandemic, hybrid and distance learning, high unemployment rates and unexpected financial hardship. Key to this progress were significant leadership gifts, such as a $4 million commitment by Trustee Emeritus William T. Schleyer ’73 and his wife, Mary Schleyer, to provide current use scholarships for medical students who are committed to pursuing specialties that will help underserved patients and families.

Gifts of every amount from the Drexel community have also been critical to helping students pursue their academic and professional goals on campus and beyond. You can make a gift today to provide students with foundational resources like co-op stipends, mental health services, and emergency support.

New Alumni Programs Drive a New Level of Engagement

Since the beginning of the Campaign, more than 37,000 alumni have engaged with Drexel by volunteering, giving, and participating in activities and programs. A host of new programs and activities, most of them virtual, are driving progress to the Campaign’s goal of engaging 40,000 (increased from 35,000) alumni by June 2022.

More than 450 Dragons around the country and world participated in the first-ever virtual Homecoming in February 2021, engaging in programs that celebrated alumni affinity and shared interest groups including Athletics, Chabad Serving Drexel, the Drexel Veterans Alumni Network, and the Drexel Black Alumni Council. And more than 3,900 alumni and students have joined Dragon Network since its launch in August 2020 to partake in informal mentorship opportunities. This virtual community for career and professional development allows members of the Drexel community to connect on a variety of topics via one-to-one text based and/or video. Approximately 35 percent of the alumni who have joined Dragon Network are engaging with Drexel for the first time through this platform.

Spring Opportunities to Support, Connect and Serve

The coming months will offer many opportunities to support student success and other Campaign priorities, and to connect with Drexel.

Current Drexel volunteer leaders as well as alumni interested in volunteering with Drexel can register now for the virtual Leadership Summit Series, which offers workshops on best practices and insights that can support them in their roles.

Please also keep an eye out for information about Alumni Weekend 2021 on May 21 and join Dragons around the world for 24 Hours of Impact on May 5.

Progress on Select Campaign Priorities

(As of March 1, 2021)

$150 million for research initiatives
$142 million for scholarships and co-ops
$128 million for academic support
$60 million for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
$40 million for civic engagement
$32 million for learning spaces
$30 million for professorships and chairs