How Temple Guided the Larkins Through Life’s Highs and Lows
Through loss, distance and decades, Temple remained the constant that brought Brad and Cheryl Larkin home—and inspired them to open that door for others.
No two Temple journeys are the same, and never has that been truer for proud alumni Bradford (Brad) Larkin, TFM ’22, FOX ’23, and Cheryl D. Larkin (Smith), KLN ’89. For Cheryl, you might say her destiny was written in the stars. “I remember growing up in Philadelphia, my grandmother lived just a few blocks from Temple’s health sciences campus,” she remembered. “I recall looking up at the sky at night, seeing that big Temple T shining so bright. For as long as I can remember, there was no other choice in my heart than to attend Temple.”
Even in those days, Cheryl aspired to become a radio personality and work in the media.
Cheryl would go on to manifest her dream, honing her skills on the radio at Temple’s WRTI. She received her BA in communications (radio-TV-film) in spring 1989, before building a successful career in the broadcasting industry that included roles in news production, advertising sales and entertainment with Comcast Corporation, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, and CBS Broadcasting in the New York and Philadelphia markets.
Brad and Cheryl with members of Temple's Institutional Advancement team, Christopher Brittin and Tamika Peay.
Brad and Cheryl with members of Temple's Institutional Advancement team, Christopher Brittin and Tamika Peay.
For Brad, who arrived at Temple on a track and field scholarship in 1980, the path to becoming a dual alum would prove to be more challenging. After his coach and mentor, Jack St. Clair, left Temple in 1983, Brad struggled to align with the new coaching leadership philosophy, resulting in the loss of his scholarship. Unable to continue his studies without financial support, Brad entered the workforce.
“At that point, the trajectory of my life had been changed,” Brad recalled. “But life continued on, and I had to do the same.”
Brad soon traded in running in track spikes for operating fast trains. On his new path, he enjoyed a lucrative career in the railroad industry with Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Although Brad had progressed over the years from being a train conductor to a locomotive engineer, he still had dreams of returning to Temple one day to finish what he started. His wife, Cheryl, encouraged Brad to return to Temple and meet with leadership to explain what had happened and discuss picking up where he left off.
Following his wife’s advice, Brad did just that. But requirements had changed in the decades since he’d last been a Temple student. Brad was told by Temple that to be considered for reinstatement, the first step that he needed to do was enroll in community college and take a course to prove that he could still do the work because it had been decades since his departure from the university. Determined to forge ahead, Brad enrolled in community college and explained that he would no longer start anything and leave empty-handed. Instead of taking just one course, Brad enrolled full time. “I came out with an associate’s degree to prove to Temple and myself that I was more than capable of returning to Temple to complete my degree," he said.
Brad celebrating his master's degree in 2023.
Brad celebrating his master's degree in 2023.
Once he returned to Temple, he was eligible for the Academic Forgiveness program, and he didn’t slow down. In just one year, Brad earned enough credits required to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in 2022, more than 42 years after he initially set foot on Temple Main Campus. “I made good on a promise to my deceased mother; that one day I would go back and complete my education at Temple. Walking across the stage at graduation, I received a standing ovation,” Brad recalled fondly. Upon graduation, he immediately applied to Temple’s Fox School of Business and earned his master’s degree in less than a year.
Today, despite their wildly different experiences, Brad and Cheryl are proud to call themselves Owls for life. As residents of South Florida, they continue to honor their alma mater—not just through their Temple apparel—acting as alumni ambassadors, mentoring undergraduate students and through their philanthropy work.
Cheryl volunteers in the community by serving as the vice chair on the City of Miramar Sister Cities Board and supports bereaved mothers who have lost their children through Circle of Mothers. Most recently, Cheryl completed a term as president of the Alpha Alpha Beta Omega Chapter of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Similarly, Brad currently serves in the community as a board member on the City of Miramar Civil Service Board. He is also an active member of the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a program founded by then Miami-Dade County School Board Member and Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson of the 24th District of Florida. As a mentor for the 5000 Role Models, Brad volunteers with youth of Miami-Dade County to equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed, while fostering self-respect and a strong sense of identity. Brad is also a life member of his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., dedicating his time through community service initiatives and mentorship programs.
Brad during his track days at Temple.
Brad during his track days at Temple.
After suffering the tragic loss of their young daughter, Wynter, in 2014, Brad and Cheryl slowly began to pick up the pieces and decided to make a difference in the lives of others. Through their unwavering faith and spiritual counseling from their pastor, Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, they committed themselves to blessing others. In 2017, the couple founded the Wynter Larkin Charitable Gifting Fund and began awarding scholarships to assist college students majoring in the arts. In 2025, the couple established the Wynter Larkin Legacy of Excellence Scholarship, supporting deserving students enrolled in the Temple University School of Theater, Film and Media Arts (TFMA). In addition to providing resources for aspiring artists, creatives and performers, as well as mentorship opportunities, the fund holds a special place in Brad and Cheryl’s hearts because it honors the life and legacy of Wynter.
Brad and Cheryl in their Temple gear.
Brad and Cheryl in their Temple gear.
“Had Wynter’s life continued on this Earth, she would have been a Temple graduate too—we’re absolutely sure of it,” said Cheryl. “We saw so much of Brad and me in her, we thought, how befitting it would be to return back home where it all started and provide opportunities for deserving Temple students to provide them with an opportunity to soar.”
“To be a blessing to others and contribute to their college education” she added.
For both Brad and Cheryl, their gift represents a shared belief: for them, Temple is far more than an institution.
“I’m grateful for Temple for giving me the academic foundation that I’ve been able to build upon throughout my life’s journey,” Cheryl said. “Being exposed to such a diverse student body and different cultures and being so entrenched in the community of North Philadelphia, it prepared me tenfold.”
“I’ve been through the highs and lows,” Brad added. “But now, I don’t fear the storm, because I’m anchored. I had the fortitude to forge ahead. For me, Temple was that anchor.”
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