Drexel University’s Academic Resource Center is now officially the McGonigal Academic Resource Center (ARC), thanks to the support of Trustee and alumnus Patrick McGonigal ’86. He pledged a total of $3.5 million that will enable further renovations to create a state-of-the-art learning space and renovated areas within the Korman Center on the University City Campus.
“We know that our success or failure as an institution should be measured on the success of our students ... and the quality experience that they have at Drexel,” McGonigal said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 30. “I’m very proud to have my name associated with the ARC ... Drexel helped me find my way, my purpose, and helps other students succeed.”
Though the ribbon was only officially cut Sept. 30, the McGonigal ARC has been working and expanding its reach since it became the McGonigal ARC in March 2025, and even further back when it was established as simply the ARC in January 2023, thanks to McGonigal’s initial $1 million gift. It’s a centralized hub of on-campus academic support services, bringing together tutoring, academic coaching, writing support, workshops and more, created with the goal of streamlining student access to support.
