2023 Celebration of Philanthropy in Action
On October 5th, the Temple University community came together to showcase the charitable impact of the university's most dedicated and visionary donors.
On Thursday, October 5th, Temple University held its first ever Celebration of Philanthropy in Action in O’Connor Plaza and Founders Garden on Main Campus, as a part of Homecoming & Family Weekend. It was an evening to showcase the charitable impact of Temple’s most dedicated and visionary donors, as university figureheads, philanthropic leaders and members of the community came together to celebrate the palpable energy on Temple University's campus today. Attendees commemorated the impact of the gifts that ignite our student body, the work of our faculty and across the greater community.
Mary E. Burke, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, acknowledged the power of philanthropy in her remarks. “You have each played a role in everything that Temple can achieve for our students through our faculty and with the greater community."
"I've been amazed by how universally understood and strongly embraced Temple's mission of access to excellence and opportunity is amongst our alumni and friends. Your gifts sustain that mission and make it stronger."
The late President JoAnne A. Epps was honored throughout the night, as the event recognized her own philanthropic impact throughout her four-decade tenure at Temple University. President Richard Englert described Epps as an “exceptional leader and passionate advocate for access and excellence for all students”, and that her "continued commitment to the values she held so dear has had a profound impact on our university.”
Attendees were encouraged to sign a memorial book at the event that will go to her family, documenting their favorite memories and personal messages to the late President Epps.
"You provide support for facilities and programs. You provide boundless access for talented students, very talented students who might not otherwise have a chance at a quality education. You provide resources for gifted faculty, inspiring the next generation. You are the visionaries. You are the ones who inspire our community of owls to dream bigger and better and to fly higher."
The night also featured remarks from Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Distinguished Faculty Term Fellow. Known for disrupting the educational status quo with her academic research, Kathy outlined the five-year, $20 million grant from the LEGO Foundation that her and her team were awarded. The project builds on what science tells us about how human brains learn and prepares students with the skills they’ll need to thrive. She also acknowledged the late President Epps, adding, “There’s nobody in the world who believed more in Temple, believed more in our mission, and believed more in the work that I do in my lab, than JoAnne A. Epps.”
"Things like this don't just happen. They happen with students who bring you wonderful new visions, with people who work hard every single day to make the dreams and ideas come true."
Guests were also encouraged to participate in a self-guided tour around campus to learn more about our philanthropic landmarks and their history, like the Charles Library, Lynne and Charles Klatskin Skywalk, the STAR Complex and Mazur Hall.
Boundless access is the foundation of our university and it would not be possible without the the generosity of our loyal donors.
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