University President as Extraordinary Urban Visionary and Partnership Broker: A Conversation with Drexel's John Fry

<p>When John Fry assumed the presidency of Drexel University in 2010, he set out to transform the school into a private research university with a strong public purpose — an institution that harnesses its strengths to serve its students, its neighborhood, city and the nation. And he made it his mission, and the mission of the school’s 26,000 students to be what he called “the most civically engaged university in the nation.” Fry’s success on both fronts is transformational.</p> <p>Under Fry’s leadership, Drexel has set a national example for the execution of public-private partnerships, and become a powerful force for economic development in Greater Philadelphia. What’s the end game? <a href="https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2018/august/drexel-president-john-fry-discusses-his-civic-pathway">According to Fry</a>, he is driven by a deep and personal mission to spread the word about how anchor institutions can do a world of good for the places that are around them. In the end, Drexel’s commitment to inclusive growth is fundamentally about education. &nbsp;To hear him tell it, the most important work happening at Drexel right now is the faculty-led initiatives bringing together teaching, research and civic engagement.&nbsp; Sounds like a win-win all around.</p>