Temple University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Temple University

Former names	The Baptist Temple (1884–1888) The Temple College of Philadelphia (1888–1907) Philadelphia Dental College (1863–1907) Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women (1910–1958) Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (1963–1998)
Motto	Perseverantia Vincit (Latin)
Motto in English	"Perseverance Conquers"
Type	Public state-related research university
Established	May 12, 1888; 137 years ago (May 12, 1888) (official date it was chartered; institution roots began 1884 with church classes)
Founder	Russell Conwell
Accreditation	MSCHE
Academic affiliations	CUMU GCU ORAU USU Space-grant
Endowment	$839 million (2023)
Chancellor	Richard M. Englert (honorary)
President	John Fry
Provost	Gregory Mandel
Academic staff	1,327 part-time; 2,125 full-time (fall 2024)
Administrative staff	3,805 (fall 2024)
Students	30,005 (fall 2024)
Undergraduates	21,747 (fall 2024)
Postgraduates	8,258 (fall 2024)
Location	Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , United States
Campus	Large city, 115 acres (47 ha) (main campus)
Other campuses	Center City Ambler Harrisburg Rome Tokyo Kyoto
Newspaper	The Temple News
Colors	Cherry and white
Nickname	Owls
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FBS – The American Philadelphia Big 5 City 6
Mascot	Hooter T. Owl Stella (live great horned owl)

Temple University (also called Temple or TU) is a large public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was started in 1884 by a minister named Russell Conwell and his church. Today, Temple is the second-largest university in Pennsylvania by the number of students. In the 2023–24 school year, it awarded over 9,000 degrees. Many people who went to Temple live all over the world.

The university has 17 different schools and colleges. These offer more than 640 academic programs and over 160 main subjects for undergraduate students. In 2024, about 30,000 students were studying at Temple. It is known for its high level of research, spending over $300 million on research and development in 2022.

Temple has 18 sports teams that compete in NCAA Division I. They are called the Temple Owls and are part of the American Athletic Conference. The Owls have won three national championships in team sports.

Temple University's History

How Temple University Started

Temple University was founded in 1884 by the Grace Baptist Church of Philadelphia. The church's pastor, Russell Conwell, was a lawyer and minister. He started teaching night classes in the church basement for working people who wanted to learn but couldn't afford college. This is how the university got its name, "Temple," and its mascot, the owl.

Conwell's classes became very popular. The church created a board to manage the school and named Conwell as its president. They wanted to offer education to those who couldn't get it in other ways. In 1891, Temple had its first graduating class.

In 1888, Philadelphia officially recognized the school as the Temple College of Philadelphia. At that time, nearly 600 students were enrolled. There were no special requirements to join, and tuition was free.

Over time, Temple grew a lot. It added a medical school in 1901 and merged with another dental college in 1906. On December 12, 1907, the school officially became Temple University. A nursing school was added in 1911, and a teacher's college in 1914. Russell Conwell passed away in 1925 and is buried on campus.

Growing in the 20th Century

In 1954, Temple decided to make its campus much bigger. It bought land from a nearby cemetery to build sports fields and parking. Many old row houses and businesses were taken down to make space for new university buildings. This caused many people living in North Philadelphia to move.

In 1965, Temple became a "state-related" university in Pennsylvania. This means it gets some money from the state but runs itself independently. It's one of only four schools in Pennsylvania with this special status.

During the 1960s, students asked for more say in campus plans and for better food options. The university president at the time, Marvin Wachman, listened to the students. He allowed food trucks on campus, which are still a popular choice for students today.

Peter J. Liacouras was Temple's president from 1982 to 2000. Under his leadership, Temple became more well-known. The men's basketball team became famous, and the university's "T" logo was created. The school's funding also grew a lot during this time.

Temple in the 21st Century

In 2016, Temple was recognized as a university with very high research activity. Its research spending reached $242 million.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Temple stopped in-person classes. The university's basketball arena was even turned into a temporary hospital. Temple tried a mix of online and in-person classes in Fall 2020, but soon moved all classes online for the rest of that semester. By May 2022, Temple held its first big in-person graduation ceremony since 2019.

In 2021, a former dean from Temple's business school faced issues related to how data was reported for school rankings. In early 2023, some graduate students had disagreements with the university about their work conditions and benefits. This led to discussions that gained national attention.

Soon after, the university president, Jason Wingard, resigned. There had been concerns about safety around the campus. JoAnne Epps became the Acting President in April 2023 but sadly passed away in September 2023.

In July 2024, John Anderson Fry was named Temple's 15th president.

Temple University Campuses

Temple University has six campuses and locations in Pennsylvania. It also has international campuses in Rome, Italy, and Japan.

Campuses in Pennsylvania

Main Campus in Philadelphia

Temple's main campus is in North Philadelphia, about 1.5 miles north of Center City. It covers about 118 acres.

When the university started, the Grace Baptist Church built two buildings on North Broad Street. One was the Baptist Temple, built in 1891, which is now a performance venue. It still has the church's beautiful stained glass window.

The campus has several important spots. The 110-foot-tall Bell Tower is a main symbol of the university. Nearby is Founder's Garden, where Russell Conwell, the founder, is buried. A statue of an owl and a water wall were added to the plaza in 2017.

Liacouras Walk is the main path for walking through campus from north to south. It crosses Polett Walk, another main path. The Conwell Inn, a hotel on campus, is at this crossing.

Temple has eight dorms where students can live. In 2023, over 4,200 students lived in university housing.

Other Pennsylvania Campuses

• The Health Sciences Campus in North Philadelphia is home to Temple University Hospital, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, and other health-related schools.
• The Podiatric Medicine Campus is where the School of Podiatric Medicine is located.
• The Center City Campus is near Philadelphia City Hall. It offers classes for both undergraduate and graduate students, especially in the evenings.
• The Ambler Campus is about 13 miles from the main campus. It has a large arboretum (a place with many different trees and plants).
• Temple University Harrisburg (TUH) offers graduate programs and special courses for working adults in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

International Campuses

Temple University, Japan Campus

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is a campus in Tokyo, Japan, and also in Kyoto. It is one of the oldest and largest campuses of any foreign university in Japan. Students at TUJ learn in English and earn a degree from the main campus in Philadelphia.

Temple University Rome

In 1966, Temple opened its first campus in Rome, Italy. In Fall 2024, Temple Rome moved to a new, central location near Piazza di Spagna. This new campus has classrooms, art studios, a science lab, a library, and even a new dorm.

Campus Police

The Temple University Police department is the largest university police force in the United States. It has 130 police officers.

Sustainability Efforts

Temple University has an Office of Sustainability that works to make the campus more environmentally friendly. They focus on things like saving water and energy, buying from green companies, and offering courses about the environment.

New Campus Buildings

In 2014, Temple shared a plan called "Visualize Temple" to develop the campus. This included building a new library.

• In 2006, the TECH Center opened, which is a large technology facility.
• The Architecture building opened in 2012. It has a lot of glass to let in natural light.
• The Science and Education Research Center (SERC) was finished in 2014. It has many research labs and teaching rooms.
• In 2024, Temple announced plans for a new building for the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts. It will have new theaters and a student media center.

Libraries

Sullivan Hall was Temple's first main library, opened in 1936. It now holds the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection.

The Samuel L. Paley Library was the main library from 1966 to 2019. It was known for its strong, concrete design. It is now used by the School of Public Health.

In 2019, the university opened Charles Library, a four-story study building. It was designed by a famous architectural firm. The library has millions of items, including books and e-books. It also has a special system that automatically finds and retrieves books. The library is open to everyone.

Academics at Temple

Temple University is one of six universities in Pennsylvania known for "very high research activity." Temple offers more than 650 degree programs across 17 schools and colleges. It also has five professional schools for dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and podiatric medicine.

Schools and Colleges

Tyler School of Art and Architecture

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture started in the 1930s. It moved to Temple's Main Campus in 2009. The school is known for its art and architecture programs. In 2016, it was ranked among the top 15 fine art schools in the U.S.

Fox School of Business

The Fox School of Business offers many programs for students interested in business. It was founded in 1918. The school has been ranked among the top business schools in the world. The Fox School is located in Alter Hall.

Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry

The Kornberg School of Dentistry started in 1863, making it the second oldest dental school in the U.S. It offers dental care to the public and trains future dentists.

College of Education and Human Development

The College of Education and Human Development helps prepare future teachers and leaders. It works closely with the School District of Philadelphia.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering has five departments, including Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering. It offers many undergraduate and graduate programs.

Beasley School of Law

The Beasley School of Law was founded in 1895. It offers programs for students who want to become lawyers, including evening classes for those who work. The school is known for its programs in trial advocacy.

College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts has 28 departments and offers many different majors. Its Criminal Justice department is one of the best in the country.

Klein College of Media and Communication

The Klein College of Media and Communication is one of the largest schools for media and communication in the U.S. It has thousands of students and many faculty members. It was renamed in 2017 after broadcasting pioneer Lew Klein.

Lewis Katz School of Medicine

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine was founded in 1901. It was Pennsylvania's first medical school that allowed both men and women. In 2014, scientists at the school made a breakthrough in removing HIV from human cells. The school was named in honor of Temple alumnus Lewis Katz in 2015.

Boyer College of Music and Dance

The Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance offers studies in music and dance. Students perform many concerts and shows each year. The college's record label has even received Grammy nominations.

School of Pharmacy

The Temple University School of Pharmacy (TUSP) is one of six pharmacy schools in Pennsylvania. It offers degrees for future pharmacists and researchers.

School of Podiatric Medicine

Temple's School of Podiatric Medicine focuses on foot and ankle health. Its clinic is the largest of its kind, helping many patients each year.

College of Public Health

The College of Public Health is located in the Bell Building and will move to the renovated Paley Hall.

College of Science and Technology

Temple University's College of Science and Technology (CST) includes departments like Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science. It is one of the largest science schools in the Philadelphia area. Its advanced Science Education and Research Center (SERC) opened in 2014.

School of Social Work

Temple's School of Social Work offers programs for students who want to help people and communities.

School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management

The School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management (STHM) trains students for careers in sports, tourism, and hospitality. It started offering programs in these fields in 1908.

School of Theater, Film and Media Arts

Temple's School of Theater, Film and Media Arts (TFMA) offers programs in acting, film, screenwriting, and more. It was created in 2012.

Studying Abroad

Temple offers many chances to study in other countries. Students can study at its campuses in Japan and Rome, or join programs in places like London, Dublin, Germany, China, and Australia. Temple also has a global internship program.

University Rankings

U.S. university rankings
ARWU World	401–500
THES World	351–400
USNWR National University	89
Washington Monthly National University	144
Forbes	192

In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Temple among the top 90 national universities. Forbes ranked Temple 192nd among all colleges and universities in America for 2024–25.

Washington Monthly ranked Temple 144th among national universities in 2024. This ranking looks at how much universities help the public good, like helping students from different backgrounds.

Temple spent over $300 million on research and development in 2022, ranking it among the top 100 institutions for research.

Student Life at Temple

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023

Race and ethnicity	Total
White	46%	46
Black	17%	17
Asian	15%	15
Hispanic	10%	10
Two or more races	4%	4
International student	3%	3
Unknown	3%	3
Economic diversity
Low-income	30%	30
Affluent	70%	70

In 2023, over 13,000 students lived on or near Temple's main campus. The university works to encourage students and staff to live close by.

The main recreation building on campus is the Howard Gittis Student Center. It has a movie theater, food court, game room, and spaces for student groups. For exercise, students can use the IBC Student Recreation Center, which has fitness facilities. There are also fields for sports like volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

The Recreation Center is part of the Liacouras Center, which is also where the Temple basketball team plays.

Temple Traditions

Cherry and White Colors

Cherry and white are the official colors of Temple University. Temple was the first school to use cherry as one of its colors. The color cherry is often seen around campus, from fan clubs to directories.

The Temple "T" Logo

The university's symbol, the Temple "T", was designed by students in 1983. It is cherry and white. The "T" stands for strength and good character. Its open ends show how ideas are freely shared at Temple.

The Owl Mascot

The owl has been Temple University's symbol and mascot since it started in the 1880s. Temple was the first school in the U.S. to use an owl as its symbol. The owl is a night hunter, which represented Temple's early mission as a night school for hardworking young people. Russell Conwell used to say, "The owl of the night makes the eagle of the day." Owls also symbolize wisdom and knowledge.

In 1977, Temple introduced "Victor T. Owl," a costumed mascot, later renamed Hooter in 1984. Hooter is still Temple's mascot at sports games. Stella, Temple's live owl mascot, was born in 2009. She lives at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Stella is one of only two live owl mascots in NCAA Division I sports.

Student Groups

Temple University has more than 450 student organizations. These groups cover many interests, like academics, professional development, service, religion, culture, arts, and media.

Temple University Graduate Students' Association

The Temple University Graduate Students' Association (TUGSA) is a union that supports graduate students who work for the university. It was formed in 1997.

Main Campus Program Board

The Main Campus Program Board is a student group that plans fun events for Temple students. They organize large events, trips, Homecoming activities, and bring speakers and comedians to campus.

Student Media

The Temple News is Temple University's weekly newspaper. It prints 5,000 copies every Tuesday and also has a website. The paper has won national awards for its reporting and design.

Templar is Temple University's annual yearbook, started in 1924.

WHIP is Temple University's student radio station. It broadcasts to Philadelphia and is one of iHeartRadio's top college radio stations.

TUTV is a digital cable TV station that broadcasts to Philadelphia. It shows programs from Temple's media school and other partners.

Temple University Athletics

Temple University's sports teams are called the Owls. This name comes from Temple's early days as a night school. The teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and are part of the American Athletic Conference. The field hockey team is part of the Big East Conference. The Owls are also part of the Philadelphia Big 5, a group of Philadelphia-area basketball rivalries. Temple was one of the first schools to have sports teams, with football and basketball starting in 1894.

Football Team

Temple's football program began in 1894. They play in the Division I FBS of the American Athletic Conference.

In 2012, Matt Rhule became Temple's head football coach. He led the team to a 9–4 record in 2010–11 and their first postseason victory since 1979. In 2015, they won 10 games, tying a school record. In 2016, they won the 2016 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, their first conference championship since 1967.

Geoff Collins became the head coach in 2016. He led the Owls to a bowl game victory in 2017.

Men's Basketball Team

The Temple Men's basketball team has one of the highest numbers of all-time wins in NCAA history.

Temple won the first-ever National Collegiate basketball championship in 1938. They won the first National Invitation Tournament. Since the NCAA Tournament started the next year, Temple's win made them the first national college basketball champions. The team also made it to the NCAA Final Four twice in the 1950s.

Head Coach John Chaney is a famous coach who won 724 career games. He led Temple to the NCAA tournament 17 times and reached the Elite Eight five times.

In 2006, Fran Dunphy became the new head coach. He led the Owls to win three straight Atlantic-10 tournaments from 2008 to 2010.

Famous People from Temple

More than 365,000 people who went to Temple University live all over the world. Many Temple alumni have achieved great things, including a Rhodes Scholar and several Marshall Scholars and Fulbright Scholars.

Some famous alumni include:

• Bill Cosby, comedian
• Bob Saget, actor and comedian
• Daryl Hall, singer
• Diplo, DJ and songwriter
• Tamron Hall, journalist
• Quinta Brunson, actress and writer

Temple University has over 3,100 teachers and staff. There are about 14 students for every teacher.

• 

  Bill Cosby, comedian

• 

  Bob Saget, actor and comedian

• 

  Tom Sizemore, actor and producer

• 

  Adam McKay, producer

• 

  Kunal Nayyar, actor

• 

  Jesse Williams, actor

• 

  Daryl Hall, singer

• 

  Tamron Hall, journalist and talk show host

• 

  Diplo, DJ and songwriter

• 

  Tim Heidecker, comedian and director

• 

  Veronica Hamel, actress and model

• 

  Stephen Hahn, former Commissioner of Food and Drugs

• 

  Da'Vine Joy Randolph, actress

• 

  Mark Levin, radio show host

• 

  Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative

• 

  Robby Anderson, NFL player

• 

  Aaron McKie, former NBA player

• 

  Marc Lamont Hill, political commentator

• 

  Quinta Brunson, actress

See also

In Spanish: Universidad del Temple para niños

• List of colleges and universities in Philadelphia
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, a partner in Malaysia
• Japan Campus of Foreign Universities