Drexel's LeBow College of Business to Launch Center for Corporate Governance

Only three years after the establishment of a chaired professorship in corporate governance and accountability, Drexel University's LeBow College of Business is once again at the forefront of preparing leaders to better govern companies with the launch of its Center for Corporate Governance on Wednesday, December 14 at 6 p.m. in 109 Matheson Hall (32nd and Market Streets).

The celebration will feature keynote speaker Michael G. Capellas, CEO of MCI Inc. and Dr. Ralph Walkling, first chairholder of Drexel's Christopher and Mary Stratakis Chair in Corporate Governance and Accountability, who will serve as the Center's executive director. Benefactors Christopher Stratakis, a Drexel alumnus and maritime lawyer, and his wife, Mary, will be honored at the event.

"Drexel continues to be at the forefront in the thorough examination of corporate governance issues," said Drexel President Constantine Papadakis. "Through the latest academic research, our Center for Corporate Governance will be a catalyst in the development of best practices for corporate responsibility."

The Center will promote corporate governance research and awareness to educate and mentor executives and future business leaders through forums, workshops, panel discussions and invited presentations.

"With the addition of the Center, corporate governance is a central focus that will be integrated throughout our academic programs, research and service to the business community," said LeBow College Dean George Tsetsekos. "Like leadership and technology management, it is imperative that corporate governance is multidisciplinary to enable us to address the challenges of responsible leadership."

LeBow College initiated the "Inside the Boardroom" lecture series to promote the discussion of corporate governance issues with the academic and business communities. The College will augment its offerings with corporate governance case studies, as well as incorporate the latest academic research throughout its programs. Stratakis, senior partner/attorney, Poles, Tublin, Stratakis, Gonzalez & Weichert, LLP, established the chair to underscore the importance of corporate governance and accountability in business education.

Capellas will address the importance of accountability in corporations when he speaks about his role in working with MCI's board of directors to transform MCI, formerly WorldCom, to a corporate governance model that is unsurpassed in American business. Capellas took over MCI after ex-WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers was indicted for his role in one of history's most notorious corporate scandals.

Drexel is not only a leader in teaching corporate governance. In February 2003, Drexel's board of trustees voted unanimously to amend University bylaws to include the best principles of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Drexel was also the first university in the country to voluntarily adopt the best practices of the legislation. The authors of the bill -- Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, D-Md., and Congressman Michael G. Oxley, R-Ohio -- have discussed the legislation with students during separate visits to Drexel's LeBow College of Business.