HughE Dillon: Drexel’s New Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building

Last night officials and dignitaries from Drexel University, and family and friends of Eliana Papadakis and Maria Papadakis gathered to dedicate the new Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building at the Drexel Campus, where its namesake, Constantine Papadakis, was university president for 14 years. Designed by world-renowned architects Diamond and Schmitt, the building is located at the corner of 33rd and Chestnut streets. The central staircase is one continuous steel piece, and is supposed to reflect the helix in DNA.
 

 
Tributes from the dais came from many of Taki’s good friends and colleagues, including, left to right: Aleister J. Saunders, associate professor and associate department head, Department of Biology, Sarah Michelson, Donna Murasko, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, John A. Fry, current president of Drexel University, Taki’s wife Eliana Papadakis, Richard A. Greenwalt, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Taki’s daughter Maria Papadakis. John Estey delivered greetings on behalf of former Governor Ed Rendell.
 

 
Carl and Roberta Dranoff were at the dedication, as was former Governor Mark Shweiker, Holly Kinser, Emily Phung, Karen Bulcholz, and Niki Bissas-Tsetsekos.
 

 
Councilman Frank Rizzo was on hand to enjoy the festivities.
 

 
Below: John Paz, chairman of Trico Lift’s board of directors, and Rachel Moore, Homebodies.
 

Below: Karen Daroff, Daroff Design, greets Eliana Papadakis.
 

 
Designed by Diamond and Schmitt, the building is environmentally sensitive and will become Drexel’s first Silver LEED-certified building. Construction of the $49.7 million project was managed by the Turner Construction Company. Below, left to right: Jeff Klinger, Turner vice president and general manager, Frank Pizzi, Carol Tamburino, and Bill Barton, Turner operations manager.
 

 
Below: Iris Wineburgh and Justin Wineburgh, of Cozen O’Connor. Justin also teaches entertainment law at Drexel.
 

 
Below: Brother and sister restaurateurs George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris, of Opa, with cousin Demetri Pappas, who just bought Xochitl with his friend Peter Leontaras.
 

 
Below: The unveiling of Dr. Constantine Papadakis’s portrait in the lobby of the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building. Looking on is Maria Papadakis and Eliana Papadakis, as well as John Fry and Richard A. Greenwalt. Earlier in the evening, Councilwoman Blackwell read a resolution from the City of Philadelphia that listed all Dr. Papadakis’s accomplishments and renamed Chestnut Street from 31st Street to 33rd Street as “Papadakis Place.”
 

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for the Philly Post. You can follow him on Twitter @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary at PhillyChitChat.com.