Drexel University president Constantine Papadakis, 63, died Sunday night from pulmonary complications, Drexel Board of Trustees chairman Richard Greenawalt announced today.
In remission from cancer, Papadakis requested a medical leave of absence on April 2. In his absence, President Emeritus C.R. Pennoni was appointed interim president and CEO.
Greenawalt said in a press release that Papadakis' "greatest legacy" is "today's comprehensive Drexel University, poised to continue its remarkable success far into the future."
"As a trustee working alongside Taki since the beginning of his tenure and as a Drexel alumnus, I take great pride in his achievements here," he added.
Known as "Taki" by friends and family, Papadakis was appointed Drexel's president in 1995, making him one of the longest-serving college or university presidents.
"He was the kind of leader who engendered love among all the university communities -- from students to faculty and alumni. It is a sad day in Philadelphia," Mayor Michael Nutter said.
During his tenure, total enrollment at the university grew from about 9,000 to 21,000 - about 130 percent - with freshman applications increasing by nearly 700 percent to 27,500.
Papadakis also doubled Drexel's faculty and increased total employment to 7,300, making the university the seventh-largest private employer in Philadelphia. Salaries increased by 5 percent annually for 10 consecutive years.
One of the more substantial changes Papadakis made during his tenure was the establishment of Drexel's College of Medicine through a merger with the bankrupt Allegheny University of the Health Sciences. This merger also established Drexel's School of Public Health and College of Nursing and Health Professions.
"Papadakis completely transformed Drexel into one of our nation's more-entrepreneurial teaching and research universities," Penn President Amy Gutmann said in a press release. "He was a commanding visionary who never rested on the laurels of Drexel's gains, however meteoric."
Papadakis is survived by his wife, Eliana, and daughter Maria.
A church service will be held at noon on April 14 at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to the Constantine Papadakis Fund at Drexel University.
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