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Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University reach tentative terms on the academy’s future
Inquirer.com • • nation
Key Points:
- The Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University reached a tentative agreement to continue their affiliation, with Drexel maintaining financial support and gaining control over major decision-making for the Academy.
- Patricia “Trish” Wellenbach was appointed as a temporary senior adviser to the Academy, serving part-time while loaned from the City of Philadelphia without compensation, to help manage the transition and ongoing discussions.
- The Academy’s museum will close permanently on September 30 due to declining visitorship and rising costs, with plans to relocate collections and sell the historic 1876 building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- The new nonbinding agreement modifies governance, preserves the Academy board’s right to de-affiliate if desired, and grants Drexel final approval over leadership appointments and budgeting decisions, with an annual budget of about $25 million.
- The agreement was brokered by former Comcast executive David L. Cohen at the request of Governor Josh Shapiro, aiming to stabilize the Academy’s future while addressing operational and financial challenges.
