Dear members of the Temple community,

I write to express my profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who came together to honor the memory of our beloved President JoAnne A. Epps as we celebrated her life. Your presence and support during this solemn occasion deeply touched my heart and, I am certain, that of her family as well.

President Epps served Temple University as a dedicated leader cherished across our community. Her commitment to our institution’s values, tireless advocacy for our students and enduring love for Temple will forever be etched in our hearts. Witnessing the outpouring of love and respect from all corners of our community was deeply moving. During the service, Mitchell L. Morgan, chair of the Board of Trustees, recalled the honor of leading with her. “For me, it was a tremendous relationship. I slept very well at night knowing that she was in charge and that was true even as we dealt with significant challenges,” he said. 

Our collective support and solidarity provide solace and comfort in times of sorrow. Your willingness to come together in such a meaningful way is a powerful reminder of the bonds that will continue to unite us as we move forward.

I would like to extend a special thank you to all those who played a role in organizing and facilitating these tributes. Your dedication ensured that we paid our respects to President Epps in a manner befitting her immense contributions to our university.

As I expressed at her service, President Epps left us a legacy of caring, competence, collaboration, commitment and always, always compassion. Acknowledging that numerous friends of President Epps could not be present at her services, here is a link to the statements made on behalf of the university.

Together, we can honor her memory by carrying forward her vision for a vibrant and inclusive Temple University. As we continue to heal as a community, I look forward to seeing you at our Homecoming and Family Weekend activities. It’s a great setting to celebrate being an Owl as we rise together through these challenging times.

Once again, I want to thank everyone for their steadfast support for Temple.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Englert 
President