As students, we often feel as if there are miles between us and the administrators that run our school. It’s hard to understand the job descriptions of some of the highest ranking officials at Drexel, but it’s easy, in retrospect, to appreciate all that they’ve accomplished for our school. President John A. Fry announced June 23 that Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Mark Greenberg will step down this September. Greenberg has been a member of the Drexel community for 29 years and is responsible for developing several key University programs that students benefit from on a daily basis. We would like to take this time to thank Greenberg for his contributions to the University and for continually striving to improve the student experience.
Looking at the extensive list of Greenberg’s accomplishments at Drexel, it’s hard to imagine the school without his influence. The Center for Civic Engagement, the study abroad program and the Pennoni Honors College are just a few programs that were fostered and grown under Greenberg’s leadership. He also had a hand in many other programs that are perhaps lesser known by students, such as Visiting Scholars, the University Writing Program, and the Great Works Symposia. Many, if not all, of these programs have or will positively influence all Drexel students’ experiences. While we can’t ignore the rest of Greenberg’s team that undoubtedly helped see these visions to fruition, we also should not underestimate the value of good leadership.
Many of us chose to attend Drexel based on the merits of the co-op program, and the programs that Greenberg has contributed to our University have helped it become a well-rounded institution. We are known as a co-op school. We are known as an engineering school. And Greenberg refused to limit Drexel with those two identities. This leads to us having not only more diverse opportunities while we study here, but it also draws a more diverse student body as we are no longer bounded by those two things. The more we can learn from our peers, who are interested in different things, studying different things, and experiencing different things at different co-ops, the more valuable our education becomes. And a lot of that is due to Greenberg’s work.
As Drexel continues to transform, grow and improve, we are lucky to have leaders creating valuable programs for students that will enhance our college experience. We hope that Greenberg’s successor will continue to push the academic boundaries of Drexel to provide its students with the best opportunities possible. He’s leaving big shoes to fill, and we will miss him.
Even though Greenberg is stepping down, he’s not leaving the University completely. He plans to take a one-year sabbatical and then return to serve as provost emeritus and a professor. He will get to work in the academic world that he helped create at this University, and will get to increase his personal interactions with students and get back to teaching. We believe and hope he will continue to enrich the University in these new positions.