Former Temple University Board of Trustees member Daniel H. Polett, HON ’98, passed away on Oct. 2. He was 89. 

Serving as an honorary lifetime trustee at the time of his passing, Polett was named to Temple’s Board of Trustees in 1992. He was also a longtime member and former chair of the board that oversees Temple Health. From 2006 to 2009, Polett served as chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, and throughout his life, his commitment to both the university and Temple Health was unwavering. 

“Dan Polett gave so much to this university and its health system, and we are forever thankful for his service,” Temple President Richard M. Englert said. “While Dan loved Temple University, he also loved North Philadelphia. He had a thriving business here, and he understood the importance of giving back. Temple and this community are better today because of Dan’s outstanding generosity and leadership. He will truly be missed.” 

Current Board of Trustees Chair Mitchell Morgan echoed similar praise for Polett. 

“I had the privilege of working closely with Dan for several years while serving together on the Board of Trustees. He was a great businessman and an even better person,” Morgan said. “He was so deeply committed to being a good humanitarian and giving back. Given his previous role as chair of the board, I also often used Dan as a sounding board, as I would regularly reach out to him for guidance. I, like so many others, have benefited from his advice and knowledge throughout the years, and I am forever thankful for that.” 

Polett’s relationship with Temple goes back to when he was a business neighbor of the university. He was president of the Wilkie automobile dealership, which was located on North Broad Street where the Liacouras Center now stands. 

At the time, then-President Peter Liacouras reached out to Polett to see if he would be interested in serving on the university’s Board of Trustees. It turned out to be a wise decision, as Polett would go on to become an active member of the board, serving on its Executive, Academic Affairs and Trustee Affairs committees. 

Because of his involvement with the Board of Trustees, Polett earned the university’s Acres of Diamonds Award in 1993 and the Russell Conwell Award in 1995. He was also honored by the Fox School of Business in 2009 when they awarded him the Musser Excellence in Leadership Award. 

“In every way, Dan was a giver. He was incredibly generous to Temple University when it came to his time, energy and financial support,” said Phillip C. Richards, vice chair of the Board of Trustees. “Throughout the years, countless students have benefited from the scholarships that he helped create, and the entire Board of Trustees benefited from his leadership.” 

Polett started his automotive career in 1960 with General Motors Corp., before going on to work for the Raytheon Corp. In 1968, he joined the Wilkie Buick Co. and was named its president one year later. Polett continued to operate Wilkie Lexus in Haverford and Lexus of Chester Springs up until his passing.  

Although he was a graduate of Fordham University, Polett officially became Temple Made in 1998, when he received an honorary degree from the university that he had given so much to. 

Polett’s legacy at the university remains visible every day through Polett Walk. The thoroughfare, which runs from Temple’s Main Campus gates on Broad Street to 11th Street, was renamed in Polett’s honor in 2009.