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U.S. News: Drexel One of Nation’s Top Six “Up-and-Coming Schools”

August 22, 2008

Philadelphia
Drexel University made the “up-and-coming” short list of national universities that have achieved “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities,” according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Only 20 universities in the country made the list.

These are “universities that have recently made striking improvements or innovations — schools everyone should be watching,” according to the publication. “These colleges may not be at the top of the rankings (yet), but they’re tops for innovation.”

Underscoring the point, Drexel jumped 19 positions in the U.S. News national rankings and is now ranked 89th among the “Best National Universities.” This is the first time that Drexel has broken into the top 90. It also places Drexel among the top 50 private universities in the country.

“Drexel provides a superior educational experience to students and outstanding use-inspired scholarship and research opportunities to faculty,” Drexel President Constantine Papadakis said. “Our success in doing so, under the stewardship of our trustees and the active leadership of our faculty, has led to Drexel’s unprecedented qualitative and quantitative growth.”

Drexel is also identified by U.S. News as offering one of the best cooperative education programs in the country. In Drexel’s cooperative education program, students alternate periods of classroom study with full-time employment in positions aligned with their academic interests.

Drexel has achieved unprecedented growth since Papadakis arrived as president in 1995. In just the past six years, as Drexel acquired the nation’s largest private medical school and opened a new law school that has already received national recognition, it has catapulted among the nation’s elite, according to U.S. News. In January 2009, Drexel University will open a Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, Calif., the capital of the sixth-largest economy in the world.

The U.S. News rankings group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The rankings will be published in the magazine’s Sept. 1 issue, on newsstands Aug. 25, and available online at www.USNews.com/colleges beginning today.

DNC

So for the past few days I've been avidly watching the DNC coverage the moment I get home until it concludes for the night. It's been fairly interesting thus far-- Hillary's speech was so intriguing and loaded with all of the "right" things. Michelle Obama was my favorite speaker by far though-- in many cases, I would actually prefer to watch her instead of her husband! I did, however, see Mr. Obama speak this past Spring on the lawn of the Constitution center right here in Philadelphia (about a 20 min walk from campus). Seeing Obama speak was one of the most invigorating experiences of my life, and thanks to Drexel and their VIP tickets they had to the speech, I had the opportunity to be directly involved in the political process.

I'm very excited to see what November brings. If you're 18 come November, regardless of your politcial preference, be sure to register to vote and have your voice heard!. Rockthevote.com is a great place to register fast, or you can pick up an application at your local post office or DMV. You can also register to vote in PA when you get to Drexel-- you don't have to be a resident of PA to vote in PA. If you prefer to register in your home state, make sure to request that absentee ballot.

How to make Oatmeal Cookies!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

1. 1 1/4 c. softened butter or margarine
   


2. 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
   


3. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
   


4. 1 egg
   


5. 1 tsp. vanilla
   


6. 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
   


7. 1 tsp. baking soda
   


8. 1/2 tsp. salt
   


9. 1 tsp. cinnamon
   


10. 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
    


11. 3 c. rolled oats

Step1Heat oven to 375 degrees F and line some cookie sheets with baking parchment - or grease some cookie sheets, or use nonstick cookie sheets.

Step2 Beat together butter or margarine and sugars in a large bowl until creamy.

Step3Add egg and vanilla and beat well.

Step4Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a smaller bowl.

Step5Add flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture and blend well.

Step6 Stir in oats.

Step7 Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheet.

Step8Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie.

Step9Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove to wire rack.

Step10Cool completely and store in tightly covered container.

Tips & Warnings

If you're on a low-sodium diet, you can omit the salt.

To make bar cookies, press dough onto the bottom of an ungreased 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until light golden brown. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

For variation, add 1 cup raisins or chopped nuts or stir in 1 cup semisweet chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips and omit the spices.