Theobald makes case for Temple’s value in State of University address

Joseph V. Labolito

Stressing access, excellence and affordability President Theobald lauded a landmark year for Temple at the second annual State of the University Address presented before a standing-room-only crowd on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.

At his second annual State of the University address Thursday, Temple University President Neil D. Theobald lauded an “historic year” for Temple, citing unprecedented gains in the areas of excellence, accessibility and affordability.

“The state of the university, in a word, is excellent,” Theobald told the standing-room-only crowd in Mitten Hall.

Honest value

Theobald cited Temple’s momentum in a wide range of critical areas, including

student debt: Temple’s Fly in 4 program has put 600 more Temple sophomores than last year on track to graduate in four years. If they stay the course, they will save a total of $15 million in college costs.
affordability: Temple has raised tuition by an average of only 2.4 percent over the last three years while adding almost $20 million to financial aid.
fundraising: Temple has more than doubled fundraising over the past three years to a record $84.2 million last year. More than $11 million went directly to student support.
access: The Temple Option program opened doors to a Temple education for 890 freshman—including many students from underrepresented minority populations and first-generation college students—whose SAT scores did not capture their potential for success.
admissions: Temple received more than 30,000 applications—a record—for more than 4,500 freshman slots. The incoming class earned a high school GPA of 3.51, another record.
diversity: Temple’s freshman class has 20 percent more African-Americans and 26 percent more Latinos than last year’s class.
academic reputation: In only one year, Temple has jumped six spots in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings and 25 spots in U.S. News’ Best Global Universities.
research: Last year, Temple had a record $230 million in research expenditures, a 20 percent increase in only two years.
facilities: Plans are under way for a new library, new classrooms, a new science and research building, new athletics and recreation facilities, new landscaping and more.

New pragmatism

Theobald said that Temple’s ability to provide “hard proof” of success defines Temple’s “value proposition” at a time when many are skeptical of American higher education. We have entered an era of what he called “new pragmatism.” Parents, elected officials and the media are criticizing tuition hikes, scrutinizing college’s ability to help graduates find employment success—and sometimes even questioning whether a college education is worth the investment.

“I would argue that Temple’s response to our era’s ‘new pragmatism’ has been to remain committed to academic rigor while demonstrating honest value,” Theobald said. “As the ‘new pragmatism’ sinks in, we rise. We are positioning Temple to play a unique leadership role in American higher education.”

He also earned applause for restating a “zero-tolerance policy” for sexual misconduct and an “unwavering commitment to a safe and respectful campus environment for every daughter and son of Temple.”

Balance and momentum

Tricia S. Jones—a professor in the Department of Strategic Communication and president of Temple University Faculty Senate, the event’s official host—praised Theobald’s steadfast commitment to balancing excellence, access and affordability.

“A lot of the faculty have a love for Temple’s tradition of access and affordability, and as the faculty of a world-class, ‘Research-I’ institution, they demand excellence,” she said. “I cannot think of a competing university that accomplishes that balance as well as Temple does. President Theobald did a fantastic job of demonstrating how well we’ve done that.”

Temple Student Government President Ryan K. Rinaldi, a senior finance major, was energized by Theobald’s address and a video the president presented, A Breakthrough Year for Temple University.

“It captured the vibe around campus and how students feel about Temple’s momentum,” Rinaldi said. “The atmosphere here is electric. Students know the value of their degree is increasing. There has never been a better time to be a Temple Owl.”

Watch or read the entire State of the University address on President Theobald’s website.