Ray Epstein 
Degree: BA, communication and social influence
College: Klein College of Media and Communication 
Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Why I chose Temple: “I was visiting campuses in the spring of 2021 when the country was still under pandemic restrictions. I found Temple’s campus to be vibrant and welcoming despite taking all of the necessary precautions. At the Saxby’s on Liacouras Walk, they were singing to ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ as they handed out coffee. I felt that Temple was a community I could be a part of—a place where I could find happiness even during troubled times. And all that was on top of the academics being offered.”

Transformative Temple moment: “In the fall of 2023, I held the first meeting of a new student organization I had founded—Student Activists Against Sexual Assault. Twenty students showed up, and it was so meaningful to me to create this space for them—a space where we could feel comfortable sharing our experiences. I had worked on setting up the infrastructure for the organization for a year prior, so seeing it all come to fruition was so gratifying. And today, with the organization reaching nearly 500 members, it’s inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we support each other.”

What’s next: “In addition to taking my LSATs later this summer, I will be studying at George Washington University in D.C. as part of the Truman Scholarship I was awarded last spring and working for U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui. Then, this fall, I will be moving to Denver to work at the Denver Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center as a client services intern. Hopefully, next fall will be law school.” 

—Kim Fischer