Drexel Lands Record $112.6 Million Gift to Launch Nick Howley Engineering and Computing College
Updated
Updated · Drexel Now · Jun 11
Drexel Lands Record $112.6 Million Gift to Launch Nick Howley Engineering and Computing College
1 articles · Updated · Drexel Now · Jun 11
Summary
$112.6 million from the Howley Foundation will let Drexel establish the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing, the largest pledge in the university’s history.
More than $36 million will fund over 55,000 square feet of new and renovated teaching, lab and collaboration space, with construction set to begin in spring 2027.
The flagship 3101 Market Street site will gain undergraduate labs including robotics, flight simulation, jet engine and wet-lab facilities, while a 10,000-square-foot Innovation Garage will support student build teams.
More than $76 million will back scholarships and programming, including the Howley College Scholars program for students from designated schools mainly in Philadelphia and Cleveland.
The new college becomes Drexel’s largest academic unit, bringing together engineering, computer and information sciences, and biomedical engineering and science for more than 5,000 students.
With a new AI degree, what does hiring a pioneering dean signal for Drexel's new engineering college?
Will a $112.6M donation for one college create an internal resource imbalance within Drexel University?
How does a $67B aerospace firm's strategy influence its founder's record-breaking $112.6M university gift?
Drexel University’s $112.6 Million Howley Foundation Gift: Transforming Engineering and Computing Education Through the Nick Howley College Merger
Overview
Drexel University has received a record-breaking $112.6 million gift from The Howley Foundation, leading to the creation of the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing. This new college is formed by merging three major academic units, aiming to foster innovation and prepare future leaders in engineering and computing. As part of a broader initiative to create a more integrated academic environment, Drexel is also making structural changes, including a transition from a quarter system to a semester system. These changes are designed to redefine education and research in these critical fields and enhance the student experience.