Three new members have recently been added to the Temple University Board of Trustees: Dennis Alter, Edward Rudolph and Jay Shah. All three have degrees from the university.

"This is an important time in Temple's history and we are honored to have three great alumni appointed to the Board of Trustees," said Chairman Patrick J. O'Connor. "Dennis Alter, Ed Rudolph and Jay Shah join a board that is committed to helping Temple continue to prosper as one of this nation's great urban universities."

Dennis Alter: From 1971 to 2009, Dennis Alter served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Advanta Corp., a company founded by his father in 1951. Advanta was one of the largest issuers of MasterCard credit cards to consumers and small businesses in the United States. At its peak, it employed more than 4,000 people in the Philadelphia area and had assets of more than $25 billion. In addition to its business activities, it was known as one of the region's leading corporate citizens, supporting hundreds of not-for-profit organizations.

Alter was born, raised and educated and continues to live in the Philadelphia area. In 1966, he received his bachelor's degree in education from Temple, where he also played varsity tennis. For three years after graduation, he taught high school English in the School District of Philadelphia, worked part-time in the family business and took night classes to complete the coursework for a master's degree in education at Temple.

Following this, he joined the family business, becoming CEO when his father retired. At that time, the company had 25 employees and $10 million in assets.

Alter is a trustee and vice chairman of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Board of Trustees. In addition, he is active in his support of numerous institutions throughout the region, particularly Temple, where his support made possible Alter Hall, the home of the Fox School of Business.

In 1999, Temple awarded Alter an honorary doctorate.

Alter's term on the Temple's Board of Trustees continues to Oct. 1, 2015.

Edward Rudolph: Edward Rudolph is an attorney who concentrates his practice on municipal law, wills and estates, real estate and commercial transactions.  For more than 30 years Rudolph has represented municipalities and authorities throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties. Rudolph serves as solicitor to Bensalem Township, Northampton Water and Sewer Authority, Warwick Township Water & Sewer Authority and the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority.

At Rudolph, Clarke & Kirk in Trevose and Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Rudolph currently represents the firm’s municipal clients at public meetings and hearings. He also advises the firm’s municipal clients on a multitude of issues, including compliance with federal and state laws and local ordinances.

Rudolph earned his bachelor's degree from Temple in 1965 and a law degree from Villanova in 1968.

His term on the Temple Board of Trustees continues until Oct. 14, 2015.

Jay H. Shah: Jay Shah is CEO of the Hersha Hospitality Trust and a member of its Board of Trustees. Hersha Hospitality Trust is a self-advised Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns interests in 80 hotels totaling 10,952 rooms, and focuses on high quality, upscale hotels in U.S. urban gateway markets: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami and Los Angeles.

Shah is involved in all areas of the business, with a particular emphasis on strategic relationships, capital transactions, asset management and acquisitions. Just this month, Hersha acquired The Rittenhouse Hotel, one of Philadelphia’s prized landmarks.

Shah earned a bachelor of science degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He has two Temple degrees: an MBA from the Fox School of Business and a law degree from the Beasley School of Law.

His term on the Temple Board of Trustees continues until Oct. 14, 2014.