August 30, 1999
There's nothing quite like the first days of a new academic year, when thousands of students and faculty from every conceivable place and perspective come together to renew the mission and worth of Temple University.
So, thank you for choosing and making Temple what it is--the culturally richest university in America.
Several years ago, the University Community forged a blueprint for the future, and we're well on our way with changes happening all around us in record time. You're part of these changes. During this academic year, you'll be inconvenienced by some construction projects, but the end results are worth it.
I'd like to describe these recent physical changes on Main Campus:
1. The Apollo of Temple--a six-venue colossus--has been a spectacular success. The Forum at The Apollo of Temple hosts nationally ranked Temple men's and women's basketball, concerts, convocations, and commencements. The Esther Boyer Theater hosts symposia, theater, dance, and musicals. You are cordially invited!
2. The Apollo is generating activity in the private sector, including plans by a national developer and the City for a $50 million entertainment, restaurant, movie, and retail complex immediately south of The Apollo of Temple.
3. The Independence Blue Cross Student Recreation Center, which is another part of The Apollo complex, is being used by about 1,000 students a day.
4. Last Spring, the spacious, block-long Student Pavilion was completed on what used to be a parking area. It's the newest recreation venue exclusively for Temple students. For those wanting to play tennis, volleyball, basketball, and more, you are cordially invited!
5. Later this semester, a microbrewery and restaurant is scheduled to open on the first floor of the IBC Student Recreation Center, and there are plans for a blues club in the sixth and final part of The Apollo, The Entertainment and Community Education Center.
6. Last January, the new Barnes & Noble-Temple University Bookstore opened in the first floor of Vivacqua Hall, which is also part of The Apollo of Temple.
7. As the Fall '99 semester begins, a new 500-bed Student Residence Hall is open and fully occupied.
8. Another new and exciting addition to Main Campus in Fall '99 is The Tuttleman Learning Center. This long-awaited, cyber-age classroom and informal academic home for students is the latest addition to a growing cutting-edge University.
9. Work is continuing on the Park Mall Redevelopment Program, which includes retail space, restaurants, offices, apartments, a small bed-and-breakfast hotel, and an attractive quadrangle.
Meanwhile, Temple's academic mission is also being reinvigorated. Four "industries" are presently driving our economic future: Tourism, Technology, Health Care, and the Global Economy. These are not fads; they're long-term growth areas with many excellent jobs for the future. Temple is repositioning itself to prepare students effectively in these four leading areas.
1. With the approval of Temple's Board of Trustees, two new academic units became operational last year. The first is the College of Science and Technology (CST). It is the beneficiary of an infusion of funding for outstanding faculty, new equipment, and (over the next several years) the complete renovation of science buildings. CST will be home to future scientists and engineers. The second unit is the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, which promises to become prominent in the career choices of a substantial number of students. It is also the beneficiary of major investments by the University.
2. The academic year 1999-2000 will also be the time for final discussion on consolidation of highly touted undergraduate and graduate educational programs in the Health fields.
3. More than 1,200 of you are studying at Temple as international students. You know that Temple is in the forefront of America's universities in its breadth and scope of international programs and campuses. The truth is, "The sun never sets on Temple University." Temple's latest overseas initiative is the launch of the first foreign degree-granting Law Education Program for Chinese lawyers in the 5,000-year history of China.
4. During the 2000-2001 academic year, the Tyler School of Art is expected to move from Elkins Park to Main Campus. The move will insure the long-term future of a great Art School. It will benefit Tyler students, enrich the education and cultu re of all students, faculty, staff, and alumni(ae) on the Main Campus, and will reap benefits for the larger community.
5. Last year, the former Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine became the University's fourth professional school. With Podiatric Medicine, Law, Dentistry, and Medicine, Temple has catapulted to #1 nationally in the number of first-professional degree students at an American public university--exceeding Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota universities.
These are some of the exciting developments you'll be part of this year. They help explain why Temple is becoming "the place to be" for students seeking a rigorous education at an excellent institution with a full international personality, with advanced research status, an emerging "Temple Town" environment, and a proud history.
Have a great year, and I hope to meet you around the campuses and on-line.
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