Senior students from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science lined up toward the back of the Temple Performing Arts Center just moments before their graduation earlier this month. Their excitement was evident by their smiles, and for many of these students, the setting will soon become familiar when they begin their studies as Temple students this fall.

Temple University’s Class of 2028 will include a whopping 42 students from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science. This represents about 20% of Carver’s graduating class.

“It is always exciting to see so much interest in Temple University, but that is especially the case when that interest is coming from students right in our backyard at a school like Carver High School,” said Jose Aviles, vice provost for enrollment management. “These are some of Philadelphia’s best and brightest students, and we will continue to support them, helping them soar while they call Temple home for the next four years.”

Among them is Braylon Edmonson of Mount Airy, who explained there was a time when he didn’t know what he wanted to do after high school. That changed when Temple Police Officer Leroy Wimberly reached out, Edmonson said.

“I would like to thank Police Officer Wimberly for motivating me to go to college and showing me a pathway,” Edmonson added. 

After much consideration and help from Wimberly, Edmonson will soon be enrolled at the Fox School of Business, where he was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship. 

“I’m so excited to start my college career at Temple,” Edmonson said. “It’s close to home and they have a great accounting program.”

Edmonson isn’t alone. Several students also credit Officer Wimberly as a motivating factor behind their enrollment at Temple.

“I’m proud of that,” Wimberly said. “It means my work is making a difference.”

Wimberly has become a familiar face at the high school. Just last semester, he helped rebuild a greenhouse at Carver that has become an outside classroom, helped several students learn the basics of rowing, provided mentoring and more.

“I want them to understand that when they stand on their own two feet and believe in themselves, there are many things that they can accomplish,” Wimberly said.

Wimberly’s visits to Carver High School are part of his role with the Engagement Unit of Temple University’s Department of Public Safety. 

“Temple University is a neighbor to these students, so to have university police officers visiting schools in the community, it bridges the gap and allows our officers to continue to build relationships,” said Temple police chief and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin. 

Griffin also said she’s proud of the work by the Engagement Unit.

“Temple has a connection to these neighborhood schools,” Griffin said. “With Officer Wimberly and our entire Engagement Unit acting as the liaison between Temple and these schools, everybody benefits.”

Some of Wimberly’s regular school visits include self-defense programs, roundtable talks and mentoring. Wimberly is also known for speaking with youth at their level. 

“I tell them that the only thing that can stop them in life is themselves. Because if they work hard and reach for it, they can do whatever they want,” Wimberly said. “I believe in them and I believe that empowering them will help them to reach for the stars.”

“He changed lives,” said Rosemary Thomas, a volunteer counselor at Carver. “Students know that if they need anything—I mean anything down to a prom dress—they can call Officer Wimberly. He volunteers for everything.”

“I wish I got to know him sooner,” said Avaeh Harrison, another Carver student who will be an Owl starting this fall. “It’s great to know that there will be people at Temple who I have already met and who will be helping me throughout the entire way.”

"Because of our officer’s relationships with students, they don't just see the police badge. They see us as people who care about the community. We are just like them," said Temple Deputy Chief Michael Smith. 

“Knowing that 42 students from Carver will be attending Temple makes me proud,” Wimberly said. “It also makes me want to give more and work harder.” 

The commitment from 42 Carver students to attend Temple is just the latest positive enrollment news for the university. On Wednesday, Temple announced that it had received more than 5,600 undergraduate deposits from first-year admitted students. This is up 29% from the total number of deposits that the university received last year.