Despite a tough economy, hope sprang eternal following Temple's graduation ceremony. Shameka Campbell posed for pictures on North Broad Street with her parents by her side. "A load has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like I'm on top of the world right now," she said. Nikeeya Jenaba Alexander expressed what seemed to be the dominant feeling of the day, youthful confidence. "I have a bachelor of science in nursing — what!" she said. Does she think she will get a job? "Yeah, I'm gonna get a job," she said.

Temple held its commencement Thursday inside the Liacouras Center. According to school officials, Temple’s class of 2012 is the largest graduating class in the school’s history, and 8,668 degrees were awarded. Shown are Philadelphia native Latoya Stroman, who served as the student speaker, and comedian Bill Cosby, who addressed the audience also.

The real obstacle for an aging America is our national army of privately built single-family homes which are not fit for the aged. “The building industry wants to be demand-driven, but the problem is that consumers may not be aware enough of this because the reality is that most home purchases are made by people who are healthy,” said Deborah Howe, chair of community and regional planning at Temple.

Under Jason Read, the new head coach of Temple women’s rowing, the Owls placed higher than they ever have at the Atlantic 10 championships. But coaching duties are just one aspect of the busy world of Read, who is attempting to make the U.S. Olympic Team and earn a second gold medal. “There is no greater honor for a civilian than to represent your country at the Olympic Games…the ultimate festival of sport,” he said.