Thank you, Dr. Clearfield.
It is a privilege on behalf of Temple University to accept this recognition from B'nai B'rith.
Temple is very choosy in accepting honors. We know that Awards are successful only on a two-way street that forks into one: Recognition for both, Fund-raising for one.
I was first introduced to B'nai B'rith while a law student more than 40 years ago.
Later through the heroic and often unpopular efforts of its Anti-Defamation League, and more recently through my friends and mentors, Murray Shusterman and Meyer Bushman, I came to recognize and appreciate the commonality and parallels between our two organizations -- in history, mission, membership, range of service, and global reach.
The video we saw is replete with common themes and similar metaphors.
So, we join symbolically this evening as institutional friends -- partners in improving the human experience and human spirit, while pursuing justice and equality in our own ways.
In accepting this Award for Temple, I would like to acknowledge those who comprise the Temple Community, who teach and learn, and who are the true recipients.
Temple's Board of Trustees nurtures and advances Temple's historic mission vicariously through others.
I join in saluting Temple's inspirational mission throughout the years from the days of Russell Conwell to the leadership of Marvin Wachman.
The unique confluence of diversity and excellence at Temple sets it apart as one of the nation's prized jewels.
I join in saluting those who, every day, make me proud to be part of Temple:
I salute our students from all branches of our common humanity. They are highly motivated, bright, ambitious, often first in a family to attend a university and who prove year in and year out that Temple's mission is alive and well, who represent the University at work, as volunteers, musicians, artists, student athletes, interns. TSG VP Daniel Hargreaves, and 7 B'nai B'rith scholars are here.
I salute our Faculty, highly skilled and committed. They form the core of any university. They discover and invent new paradigms for society's well being, artists and poets who expand and transmit our cultures, gifted teachers who inspire students for a lifetime. Faculty Senate President Ann VanSant is here along with many distinguished colleagues.
I salute our Alumni, highly successful and loyal, carriers of the Temple pedigree for a lifetime, always proud to give back and to be "Temple." Bill Cosby, Jim Beasley, Esther Boyer Griswold, Edna Tuttleman, Lewis Katz, Murray Shusterman, Cliff Green, Len Barrack, Sam Lander, Mary Connell, Alan Silverstein, Stanley Mervis, Meyer Bushman, Meyer Glasberg. John Street is Temple's first graduate in 32 years to be elected Mayor of Philadelphia. We wish him well. Mazel tov, Mayor Street.
Many Temple alumni are also members of B'nai B'rith. I congratulate them twice.
I salute our outstanding Administrators:
-- Officers like Leon Malmud, Bob Reinstein, Corrinne Caldwell, Art Papacostas, Valiada Walker, Al Checcio, Tom Maxey, George Moore, Dick Englert, Marty Dorph, Bill Bergman;
-- Deans like Moshe Porat, Peter Doukas, Chris Platsoucas, Trevor Sewell, Curt Leonard, John Mattiacci, Jeff Cornelius, Marty Tansy, Carolyn Adams, Rochelle Toner, Sophia Wisniewska, Morris Vogel;
-- Highly skilled, loyal administrators like John Chaney [Coach Chaney, please rise so we can place just a little more pressure on your broad shoulders and beautiful spirit], Jay Falkenstein, George Ingram, Paul Boeringer, Chip Marshall, Tom Anderson, Tim O'Rourke, John Baum, Janet Carruth, Karen O'Donnell, Bonnie Squires, Tom DiNardo, Richard Kozera, Kyriakos Kontopoulos, Fred Bove, Howard Grant, Joanne Epps, Jim Fitzsimmons, Jacqueline Resavage.
I join in saluting the Friends and Benefactors, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: they invest in Temple because they believe in our mission and in our students and faculty.
And finally, I join you in saluting Temple University's Board of Trustees.
Chairman Dick Fox is unique in the quality, contributions and length of his service as Chairman of a Research One public university.
For me to be his junior partner for 17 years has been an incredible learning and loving experience, drawing enthusiasm and wisdom from this uncommonly optimistic and committed soul mate.
Executive Committee Chairman Howard Gittis, my friend from law school days, continues to amaze me with his brilliance, compassion, judgment, generosity and extraordinary devotion to his adopted Temple.
And as to the other members of Temple's Board of Trustees: we are truly blessed. They are individually and collectively devoted to the University's mission and students, always asking not what Temple can do for them but what they can do for Temple. [Please rise.]
You may know, that I've been President of Temple University for more than twice as long as was planned, or is reasonable.
Working with Fox and Gittis has increased my humility, exponentially, as my family recently observed: Thanks for always being there, Ann, Lisa and Greg who are here tonight, two as alumni, and Stephen and Jimmy who are in Texas and Greece, respectively, and grandchildren John and Peter Marshall, and father Jim Marshall.
All of which, Dr. Clearfield and friends, is the preamble to the operational part of this acceptance:
Thank you for this evening's honor and tribute to Temple University. We are delighted to join with B'nai B'rith.
As to Peter Liacouras:
I know that Temple University was terrific before he arrived, and that Temple will flourish long after he's gone.
The past 18 years prove, again, that a great institution with the right mission and history, outstanding people as students, faculty and administrators, loyal and successful alumni, benefactors, and a dedicated and brilliant Board of Trustees -- such a great institution as Temple -- can excel despite its president.
Thank you, again, for permitting us simultaneously to support and honor B'nai B'rith.
I now would like to present to Dr. Clearfield a symbol of our respect. [An Owl was presented].
La chaim.
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