Philadelphians are seeing red this week in honor of Temple University’s 125th anniversary. “Paint the Town Cherry” week makes Temple’s signature color visible everywhere, lighting up city landmarks from Boathouse Row to the Ben Franklin Bridge, and on everyone as students and alumni are encouraged to proudly sport their school colors.

The week of celebration kicked off with the announcement of the winners of the “I’m a Temple Owl” video contest, which called for two-minute snapshots of Temple pride from students, employees, alumni and Temple friends. Students from Temple’s School of Communications and Theater swept the student category, while a staff member at the Fox School of Business and two alums took the top prizes in the other category. All videos are now posted on Temple’s YouTube channel.

Here are the winners:

Student category:

GOLD
“Why I Love Temple,” by Dan McKinney, School of Communications and Theater (SCT)

SILVER
Temple University Commercial, by Gabriela Herbas, SCT

BRONZE
Temple University Vignette, by Steven Schaber, SCT

Alumni and other owls category:

GOLD
"I'm a Temple Owl" by Jena Bandini, Assistant Director, Recruitment and Professional Development, Center for Student Professional Development, Fox School of Business

SILVER
“Sweetie the Smartest Owl” by Nancy (last name asked to be withheld), CST ’78, POD ’83

BRONZE
“T for Temple U,” by Laurie Astree, MUS ’98, (sung by Roman, age 4)

Bill Daly, SCT '77, senior vice president of post production at Warner Bros. Pictures, Concetta Stewart, dean of SCT, and Betsy Leebron Tutelman, senior faculty advisor to the provost and former chair of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media at SCT, judged the video contest.

The week goes out with a bang, concluding with the 2009 Alumni weekend. Held May 15-17, Alumni Weekend features campus tours, Temple experts’ takes on current issues, jazz in the Ambler formal garden and more, as well as the 125th anniversary-themed Founder’s Celebration gala, open to the entire university community.

Another part of the celebration is “Get the Facts,” a campaign started this past January, which touts 125 ways that Temple students, faculty, staff and alumni make a meaningful difference locally and internationally. The 125 facts about Temple’s past and present appear on billboards; SEPTA trains, platforms and buses; and magazines and newspapers. View the campaign, and browse other anniversary information, at www.temple125years.com.