One of the arguments we at the University of Missouri-Rolla used to bolster our case for a name change to Missouri S&T had to do with the projected drop in high school graduates in the Midwest. Because of the projected decline, we explained, our university must more aggressively recruit students nationally and internationally — and a name that better described our university’s essence would aid that effort.
Drexel University in Philadelphia is also anticipating that decline — a 10 percent drop in Pennsylvania beginning in 2009 — and is looking to the west. But rather than expanding its reach in the traditional fashion, Drexel is planning to open a stand-alone campus near Sacramento, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (Link via University Business.)
Drexel President Constantine Papadakis says a friend has pledged to donate 1,100 acres of California farmland to help Drexel establish the university.
Under the proposal, the university would sell 500 acres of the donated land to generate at least $100 million that would be used to finance construction of the infrastructure. Papadakis said he was confident of raising another $100 million in donations once a deal is in place.
“Not many universities have an opportunity to start on donated land with $100-million-plus funding opportunity,” says Papadakis.
Oh, for just half the funding opportunity.
Andy writes! 