They are six students, from among some 27,000 Pennsylvania residents who attend Temple. They come from different counties in a diverse state, from rural towns, mid-sized cities, a suburban neighborhood and a major metropolis. Yet they share a common vision: to earn a first-rate undergraduate education and graduate prepared to contribute to the well-being of their communities.

They are the Faces of Temple: Jenna Fox, of Rockwood, Somerset County; Emily Hooven, of Langhorne, Bucks County; Ezra Match, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County; Colin Saltry, of Scranton, Lackawanna County; Anna Dini, of Alburtis, Berks County; and Jamira Burley, of Philadelphia.

Like so many other Temple students, they are living examples of the promise of state-related education and the value it creates for all Pennsylvania residents. Now they are reaching out to Temple alumni and friends to help rally support for their university.

Faced with a deficit of more than $4 billion, legislators must make difficult funding choices as they consider the state’s 2011-2012 budget. With cuts of more than 50 percent proposed for the Commonwealth appropriation for state-related institutions, the students hope their voices will be heard as discussion continues.

“Temple has given me the tools I’ll need to help ensure a great future for our Commonwealth,” said Saltry. “I think it’s important that our leaders understand the enormous value the university has for students like me.”

Over the next week, Temple alumni and parents will receive a letter from one of the students informing them of the funding proposal and asking them to advocate for Temple by returning a signed postcard to Gov. Tom Corbett. Each card includes the student’s photo and highlights from his or her Temple experience — from Match’s preparation as an entrepreneur, to Dini’s studies abroad, to Fox’s work conducting public health research. (All the students share their stories online at www.temple.edu/faces.)

“One of the hallmarks of a Temple education is the incredible access our students have to opportunities throughout Greater Philadelphia and around the world,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., senior vice president for government, community and public affairs. “Each Temple student can point to his or her own unique transformative experience.”

Philadelphia resident Jamira Burley is one example. The senior international business and legal studies major was appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter to a special task force on youth violence. The role has given her a chance to work with high school and college students to develop strategies to reduce incidents throughout the city.

Commonwealth support, which enables Temple to offer a reduced tuition rate to in-state students, gives Pennsylvania residents access to such opportunities, the students say.

“Cost was a huge factor for me,” said Hooven. “Both of my parents work and my brother just finished college about four years ago, so Temple’s tuition fit with our budget. Most of the university’s students come from working and middle-class families, and I liked the idea of going to a college where attendance is an honor and not taken for granted.”

Since the budget proposal was announced, the Temple community has sent more than 4,000 letters to members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly through the Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network (TALON), and more than 8,000 have signed a petition opposing the cuts. To use these tools, including public policy updates and sample letters, visit www.temple.edu/government.