To the Temple University community:

Since the announcement of the Presidential Search Committee last week, I and many others at the university have heard from numerous individuals expressing their passionate interest in the future of this institution, and especially its role in the Commonwealth and North Philadelphia community.

I am delighted that there is so much enthusiasm and excitement about the selection of the next president of Temple, and I want you to know that you have been heard. The level of awareness and concern about the future of Temple in so many different corners gives me even greater confidence that we will make a great choice for the next president and be able to move forward together.

Some of the conversations over the past week have been challenging. But it is important that we have had them, and I am grateful for the strength of those willing to speak up. Based on these conversations and other messages we have received, I am pleased to announce that we will be adding two additional members to the Presidential Search Committee: Faculty Senate Vice President Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, a highly-regarded educator and mentor in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts, and Senior Advisor to the President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Valerie Harrison, a former interim president of Lincoln University.

I also want to reaffirm the announcement from Friday regarding the search and the importance of your participation in the town hall process as we define our needs for the next president of Temple University.

Let’s move forward, together.

Mitchell L. Morgan
Chair, Board of Trustees