First comprehensive campaign to fund ‘Access to Excellence’
On Oct. 5, Temple University launched the public phase of the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign before more than 1,000 supporters gathered at the National Constitution Center.
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In addition to securing funding for these initiatives, the campaign seeks to build a stronger culture of philanthropy across the university community.
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![]() Photo by Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Temple is attracting record numbers of students with unprecedented academic credentials. Although Temple's tuition is lower than many similar universities', more than 70 percent of Temple’s full-time undergraduates require financial aid, forcing them to take on debt. Donations to the campaign will help strengthen endowed scholarships and provide access for undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
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Chairman of the campaign Leonard Barrack, a Temple trustee and alumnus, explained, “We give to Temple because we believe in Temple, we have confidence in its leadership and we see very clearly the difference philanthropy makes in the lives of its faculty and students.”
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For example, Temple’s tuition is lower than the University of Pittsburgh’s, yet the average Temple undergraduate leaves the university more than $27,000 in debt, compared to just $17,100 at Pitt. Donations to the campaign will help strengthen endowed scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, improving Temple’s position as it competes to enroll highly qualified and motivated applicants.
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Expanded research and new facilities
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![]() Photo by Ryan Brandenberg/Temple University
Endowment funds support Temple's many community programs. Above, the Temple CARES clinic is a free student-run health clinic that provides medical care and health screenings on a weekly basis at a church in North Philadelphia.
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“Across this university, I see people engaged in groundbreaking projects clearly relevant to real-world issues,” said Jeffrey Featherstone, chair of Ambler College’s Department of Community and Regional Planning, “from sustainable development to high-tech drug delivery techniques to teen suicide prevention.”
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![]() Photo by Joseph V. Labolito/TempleUniversity
Faculty members such as Sarah Bauerle Bass (above, standing), a public health assistant professor who won a Lindback Award for Teaching Excellence this year, inspire students to achieve lasting success. Endowed funds help universities recruit top teachers and scholars.
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Every gift counts toward Temple’s $350 million goal
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Gifts for all purposes received before Dec. 31, 2009, will count toward the campaign total. To learn more about Access to Excellence: The 125th Anniversary Campaign for Temple, visit www.temple.edu/accesstoexcellence or call 215-204-1001. — Written by Greg Fornia |