Where are they now? The Drexel alumni 25 years later

Drexel Burnham Lambert collapsed in scandal 25 years ago, but alumni of the once-powerful investment bank are now in some of Wall Street's most powerful posts.

The firm famous for high-yield or "junk" bonds filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 13, 1990 after several years of legal troubles. Thousands were out of work the next day, which was dubbed the "Valentine's Day Massacre."

Drexel's bond department head Michael Milken would pay huge fines and serve nearly two years in prison for securities fraud. But many would come to see Milken and Drexel as more benign figures.

The high-yield bond market they pioneered increased dramatically in size, and well known entrepreneurs like casino magnate Steve Wynn, telecom boss William McGowan and media mogul Ted Turner were boosted early on Drexel-assisted financing. Milken also became a prominent philanthropist and supporter of public health and medical research.

If there was a taint to working under Milken, it's hard to tell from the prestigious positions the "Drexel diaspora" now occupy. CNBC took a look at where some of the most successful alums are today.

By Lawrence Delevingne, with Katie Spencer

Current role: Co-founder and managing partner of Crescent Capital Group, an approximately $16 billion debt investment firm.

Current role: Chairman and CEO of Apollo Global Management, the $164 billion private equity giant.

Current role: "The Gloom Boom & Doom Report" report publisher, nicknamed "Dr. Doom" as purveyor of bearish market and economic forecasts.

Current role: Co-founder and CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, an approximately $25 billion alternative investment firm best known for distressed investments.

Current role: Co-founder of Blackstone Group's GSO Capital Partners credit investment unit.

Current role: CEO of investment bank Jefferies and parent holding company Leucadia National Corp.

Current role: Co-founder and senior managing director of Apollo Global Management; managing owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and co-owner of the New Jersey Devils.

Current role: Co-founder and co-CEO Canyon Partners, a $23 billion hedge fund, emerging markets and real estate investment firm.

Current role: Chairman of the Milken Institute, a think tank; co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation.

Current role: Founder, chairman and CEO of Moelis & Co., an investment bank.

Current role: Co-founder and CEO of Ares Management, an about $80 billion investor in credit, direct lending, private equity and real estate.

Current role: Founder and president of Orchard Capital, which invests in and consults companies.

Current role: Managing partner of Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm.

Current role: Chairman and CEO LWPartners, a financial advisory firm; best known as founding partner and chairman of hedge fund firm GoldenTree Asset Management.

Current role: Chairman and CEO of Winnick & Company, an investment firm; previously led failed telecommunications company Global Crossing.