Temple’s Lasting Impact: Alumni Stories of Thanks and Gratitude

As we head into the holiday season, we’re reflecting on what makes the Temple community so special. The answer, of course, begins with you. The pride, passion and generosity of our alumni fuel the Temple spirit far beyond campus. We’re grateful for all the ways alumni like you support one another, give back to today's students and carry the Temple story out into the world.

Many of you have also been sharing what fills you with gratitude for Temple. These reflections have been deeply meaningful to read, with stories of transformative friendships and lifelong love, inspiring professors and path-shaping classes. Temple may hold a different meaning in every journey, but one thing is clear: that shared gratitude connects us all. We’ve compiled a wonderful collection of stories that share heartfelt expressions of gratitude for Temple and its community.

Renee A. Hincapie Adamczyk, CLA ’93

Renee is thankful for the energy, diversity and unforgettable moments she experienced at Temple. From thrilling basketball seasons to lifelong friendships and meeting her future husband, Temple opened her world in meaningful ways. She remains grateful for the opportunities and memories that shaped her life.

Beverly C. Brodsky Cooper, CST ’57

Beverly is grateful that Temple made a science education possible when commuting and cost were major factors. The close-knit biology community and supportive faculty helped her succeed in a field where few women were represented at the time. She credits Temple with giving her the start that empowered her career and her family’s educational success.

Dr. Susan M. Smile Clendenin, MED ’94

Susan is grateful that Temple welcomed her as a nontraditional student and provided the support she needed to earn both her undergraduate degree and a full scholarship to medical school. Temple gave her the opportunity to pursue a career serving underserved communities, and she remains deeply thankful for the education that made it possible.

Philip Michael Cochetti, CLA ’68

Philip is profoundly grateful to Temple for taking a chance on him when few others would. Admitted on a probationary basis, he proved himself and launched a career supported by Temple’s flexible programs, strong faculty and welcoming community. The opportunity Temple offered opened doors that shaped his life in law enforcement and beyond. Decades later, he still returns to campus with appreciation for the institution that gave him his start.

Gwendolyn H. Conway, Esq., LAW ’86

Gwendolyn is deeply grateful to Temple for the opportunity she was denied as a young woman. Balancing full-time work with night classes, she earned both her undergraduate and law degrees at Temple, which ultimately led her to the municipal court bench at age 60. She credits Temple with changing her life’s trajectory and giving her the education that made her public service possible.

Wesley E. Craig Jr.,
FOX ’68

Wesley is grateful for the strong foundation Temple provided in both the classroom and ROTC. His business education and military training shaped a long and distinguished career in the private sector and in military service, including leading the Pennsylvania National Guard. He credits Temple with setting him on a path that defined his life and career.

Joseph P. Darpino,
EDU ’70

Joseph is grateful for Temple’s affordability, strong education program and the meaningful personal connections he made. The university prepared him well for graduate study and a career in education, and it is also where he met his wife, one of the greatest gifts of his life. He remains thankful for all Temple offered him.

Ronald C. Ehrenreich, CLA ’72

Ronald looks back on his Temple years with deep appreciation for how the university empowered him to lead and advocate for others. From fighting for LGBTQ+ health services to creating the nation’s first on-campus daycare, Temple gave him the platform, the encouragement and the community he needed to become a changemaker. He remains grateful for the opportunities Temple provided and the lasting impact they have had on his life’s work.

Sara A. Lynch Eldridge, CPH ’06

Sara is grateful for Temple’s public health program, the respect and support of her professors and the opportunity to continue as faculty after graduating. Tuition benefits and a welcoming environment allowed her to advance her career and discover a passion for mentorship. She remains appreciative and engaged as an alumna.

Richard Flanagan, CLA ’85

Richard appreciates Temple for giving him the opportunity to pursue a PhD while working full time. The flexibility, strong faculty support and academic challenge deeply influenced his professional life. He is grateful to Temple for helping him achieve his goals and for allowing him to give back through new programs and mentorship.

Edward Richard Fisher, ENG ’56

Edward appreciates Temple for giving him a strong academic foundation during a pivotal transition after his Navy service. The experiences and skills he gained helped prepare him for an unexpected path in entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to a successful business career. He remains grateful for the role Temple played in shaping his future.

Judge Kathryn E. Freed, CLA ’70

Kathryn is grateful that Temple broadened her horizons and prepared her for a career in law and public service. The university’s diversity, hands-on political science experiences and urban environment helped her grow in confidence and ambition, ultimately guiding her path to the New York City Council and the judiciary.

Dr. Ricky L. Heimbach, EDU ’86

Ricky is deeply grateful for Temple’s role throughout his career, from early professional development to earning his graduate degrees at the Tokyo campus. The university’s academic rigor, faculty mentorship and global opportunities shaped his path as both an educator and professor. He credits Temple with profoundly influencing his life and work.

Donald V. Hill, EDU ’56

Donald is grateful for Temple’s exceptional physical education program, the friendships he formed and the experiences that shaped his teaching and coaching career. Temple also brought him together with his wife, making his time there truly life changing. He credits the university with giving him opportunities that guided his personal and professional life.

Brian F. Nelson Hathaway, UC ’23

For Brian, Temple is the place that never stopped believing in him, even across 41 years. After beginning his studies in 1981 and returning decades later to finish his degree, Temple became the foundation of his perseverance and personal growth. Speaking at Commencement was a powerful reminder of how deeply he values the university that supported his journey. He remains grateful for Temple’s community, its diversity and its commitment to helping students achieve their goals.

Michael A. Idriss, CLA ’19

Michael Idriss is grateful that Temple gave him a second chance to pursue his dream after an initial denial. Returning as a nontraditional student allowed him to study history in his hometown and serve his community. The opportunities he found at Temple helped him build a meaningful career in public history and inspired him to support future generations of interpreters.

Dr. Stephan Idris Mambazo, CSW ’95

Temple gave Stephan far more than an education. It gave him stability, community and a path forward when he needed it most. Supported by caring mentors and lifelong friends, he discovered his strengths, built resilience and transformed his life. He credits Temple with helping him survive his hardest challenges and shaping the accomplished leader he is today. He says simply: “Temple saved my life, and I’ll always be grateful.”

Maureen Carolyn Holt Mikos, EDU ’76

Maureen is thankful for Temple’s role in her family legacy and for the education that allowed her to pursue her dream of teaching. Balancing work and school was challenging, but the cultural exposure, dedicated professors and early experiences in language and travel shaped her career and worldview. She remains grateful for her time at Temple.

Michael L. Proser, KLN ’88

Michael is grateful for Temple’s affordability, the newsroom experience that sparked his journalism career and the exciting campus environment during the Vietnam War era. Temple opened doors that led him to national and international reporting and gave him a foundation he continues to appreciate.

Meyer Silver, Esq., CLA ’72

Meyer is thankful that Temple made higher education accessible through affordability and scholarships. The engaging political science faculty sparked his passion for the law and prepared him for a rewarding legal career. He remains grateful for the foundation Temple gave him and has paid it forward through a scholarship for future students.

Richard Vincent Zia,
CLA ’89

Coming from an extraordinarily difficult childhood, Richard found at Temple something he had never known before: opportunity, stability and belief in his potential. Encouraged to apply by a fellow student, he discovered a place that changed his life’s trajectory and helped him grow into the person he is today. He calls Temple "a beacon on a darkened road" and credits the university with giving him a future he once could not imagine. His gratitude is enduring and profound.