Leaving Matthew's Mark
When Terri and Orin Hollander lost their son, they turned unimaginable grief into a lasting legacy—one that continues to change lives at Temple.
Eighteen years ago, Orin and Terri Hollander, EDU '96 found themselves confronting an unthinkable reality: they had to make sense of the tragic loss of their son, Matthew, a freshman nearing the end of his first year at Temple University. How they chose to respond set into motion a path of hope and healing, not just for themselves, but for a new generation of Temple Owls.
“You can’t always control what happens in your life,” says Terri. “We’re taught to make five-year plans, ten-year plans, but no one can plan for everything—all you can do is control how you react to what life throws at you.”
“Even though we suffered a horrible loss, we wanted there to be a better outcome. We wanted to do something Matthew would be proud of,” she says.
Terri with one of the scholarship's recipients.
Terri with one of the scholarship's recipients.
Amid their heartbreak, the Hollanders established two endowed funds at Temple University: The Matthew Hollander Memorial Award Fund for Students and The Matthew Hollander Award Fund for Outstanding Counselors, supporting students with mental and physical disabilities. The funds’ purpose, according to Orin, provides yet another opportunity to remember Matthew and ensure his legacy lives on in others.
“Matt had that special attachment to people who needed help,” says Orin. “He seemed to always seek out people who might have a hard time getting along in the world.”
Following Matthew’s passing, the Hollanders heard from friends and former classmates who echoed this sentiment, remembering times that Matthew took others under his wing, stuck up for students who were bullied or ostracized, or simply shared his mathematical expertise with others.
Despite Matthew’s absence in their day-to-day life, Terri and Orin remain connected to the qualities that defined his life—compassion, empathy, and a fierce sense of inclusion—thanks in large part to the scholarships that now bear his name.
Matthew and his brother at Matthew's high school graduation with their parents, Teri and Orin.
Matthew and his brother at Matthew's high school graduation with their parents, Teri and Orin.
“I think that Matt would be very, very proud to see the people he’s helped,” says Terri, noting that the scholarship recipients they’ve met to date come from all walks of life, a range of majors and intended career paths, each with their own hopes and dreams that these funds have brought them one step closer to achieving.
“We care for them on a personal level—we want great things for them,” she adds.
In addition to carrying on Matthew’s legacy, the Hollanders hope this award will inspire others to give back, just as Matthew modeled in his own life.
“At first, the scholarship felt like just a bit of money, but we’ve seen firsthand what that can mean to some students. They are all so incredibly grateful and many have expressed that without the additional scholarship money they wouldn’t have graduated or pursued a particular career path, many of which are centered around helping others,” Terri says.
Now, as their impact grows with each passing year, the Hollanders know that they’re leading as Matthew would have—and hope a new generation will follow their lead.
“I always make one pitch to these students: not now, not next week, not next year, but later—down the road—remember what it meant to receive help when you needed it most,” says Orin.
“Pay it forward in whatever way you can.”
Scholarship support is a chance to transform lives and invest in the next generation of Owls. Join us in our mission to make a Temple education more affordable by closing a very real financial gap for many students and families.
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