The award will be presented next week during the university’s Founder's Day celebration, an annual series of events that commemorate its founding in 1850.

The Utah Alumni Association honors four alumni and one non-alumnus/a who have distinguished themselves professionally, served local and national communities and supported the university in its mission.

Hart earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Utah.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by my alma mater with this award,” said Hart. “The University of Utah gave me many opportunities to succeed, and I’m grateful that the education I acquired there enables me to bring similar opportunities to students today through my work at Temple.”

Since assuming the Temple presidency on July 1, 2006, Hart has undertaken an ambitious agenda that builds upon Temple’s many areas of excellence to position it as a national and global leader in higher education, research and service. Foremost is her commitment to preserving and expanding Temple’s mission to provide access to excellence for talented and highly motivated students regardless of status or station in life, and to strengthen ties to Temple’s communities by creating a culture of engagement at all levels.

Hart’s agenda for Temple also calls for strengthening Temple’s leadership in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing the ambitious capital improvements under way and creating a culture of philanthropy to ensure a secure financial future. At the same time, she is expanding and strengthening Temple’s international mission in teaching and research and reinforcing the university’s role in the global community.

Hart came to Temple from the University of New Hampshire, where she served as president from 2002 to 2006. She previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Claremont Graduate University and as professor of educational leadership, dean of the Graduate School and special assistant to the president at the University of Utah.

Hart’s research interests include leadership succession and development, work redesign and organizational behavior in educational organizations, and academic freedom and freedom of speech in higher education. Her publications include more than 85 articles and book chapters, as well as five books and edited volumes.

Throughout her career, Hart has been actively involved in leadership roles in numerous professional and service organizations. She is chair of the Commission on International Programs of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and a member of its board of directors. She also serves on the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the CEO Council of Growth, the African American Museum of Philadelphia, the Avenue of the Arts and the Pennsylvania Women’s Forum, among other community and civic organizations.

Hart has been recognized for her achievements and service by many organizations, including the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, the University Council for Educational Administration, and the Utah Women’s Forum, and has been honored as a Distinguished Alumna of the College of Humanities of the University of Utah.