Alumni Weekend 2010

Don’t miss out on one of the Alumni Association’s signature events, Alumni Weekend. To be held April 9 – 11 on Main Campus and other locations in Philadelphia, Alumni Weekend will feature more than 20 celebration events, faculty expert discussions, tours of campus and reunions.

A few highlights include:

• Founder’s Celebration 2010
• 50th Reunion for the Class of 1960
• Temple Theaters’ Rent
• Tyler School of Art’s 75th Anniversary Beaux Arts Ball
• Taste of Temple
• and much, much more!

Register today at myowlspace.com/alumniweekend. Many events are free!

“First lady takes health message to N. Phila.”

On Friday,  Feb. 19, Michelle Obama, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the new Fresh Grocer next to Main Campus. The same day, at a meeting of about 200 invited guests,  Michelle Obama lauded research done at Temple’s Center for Obesity Research and Education as “extraordinary and revolutionary,” and said that she hoped it could serve as a model for the country.

The Fresh Grocer is located in Progress Plaza on North Broad Street, and campus and community members have kept it busy day and night since its opening in December 2009. It is part of a major renovation of Progress Plaza and more than $200 million in private investment around Main Campus and the Health Sciences Center in recent years.

The first lady’s visit was part of her “Let’s Move” initiative to reduce childhood obesity, which the Philadelphia Inquirer detailed on Saturday: “First lady takes health message to N. Phila.”

Temple Idol

Tyler Grady, a sophomore Honors student majoring in psychology in the College of Liberal Arts, has been selected as one of 24 contestants to compete on the hit singing competition, American Idol!

Show your Temple pride by watching the show on Fox on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and by voting for Grady when he performs. You also can track his progress by joining Grady’s Facebook page.

The Owls of Madagascar

On February 14, The Philadelphia Inquirer featured a story on Robert Schooley, SCT ’86, and Mark McCorkle, SCT ’85. The two television and film majors are now executive producers for the popular Nickelodeon program The Penguins of Madagascar. The International Animated Film Society honored Schooley and McCorkle with an Annie Award.

An Owl on Idol

Due to the sheer discomfort of witnessing people’s hopes dashed on national television, I can’t watch the hit  TV show American Idol. But fans of Idol might recall Claire Fuller, a student from Philadelphia who auditioned in Boston. Fuller is a senior in the School of Communications and Theater at Temple–and she made the cut.

Engineering Research Goes National

When Temple Review featured the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering on the cover of the fall 2009 issue, I wondered why Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering Michel Boufadel–who has been studying the long-term effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill since 2007–wasn’t getting more attention from the national media. But this week, the Associated Press and The Washington Post, The New York Times, Reuters and many other news outlets reported on his incredible research.

Fashion Guru

Philadelphia Fashion Week will take place in Center City in October.  At least one Owl’s attendance is guaranteed: Kristie Bergey, TYL ’97,  is serving as executive director of the four-day event that will celebrate Philadelphia fashion and culture.

Silver and Gold Get-Togethers

Calling all alumni from the Classes of 1960 and 1985: Come back to campus on Saturday, March 6 for a fun-filled afternoon. Featuring tours of Main Campus, men’s basketball vs. George Washington and special events for these reunion classes, it’s an opportunity to rekindle friendships and see today’s Temple.

The Class of 1985’s celebration begins with a tour of Temple followed by the 25th reunion party. Hear from renowned Temple psychologist Frank Farley, enjoy a great lunch and share your favorite Owl moments on our open mic. Then, cap off your day with an exciting men’s basketball game.

The Class of 1960’s event begins with a pre-game lunch at the Liacouras Center, followed by the big game.

Both events are FREE, but registration is required. Reserve your spot online at myowlspace.com/events.

Conwell Inn in Washington Post

Washington Past staff writer Zofia Smardz stayed at the boutique Conwell Inn on Main Campus recently, and her great write-up about the experience has just been published: Bed Check: Philadelphia’s phriendly Conwell Inn

She writes: “… two blocks and you’re at the SEPTA (the Philly subway), which zips you straight downtown for $2 — and in the summer high season … the hotel can offer better rates, especially on weekends, than the busy downtown properties. Plus there’s that campus energy and liveliness thing that some people find so invigorating.” She notes that great Philadelphia restaurants are just a few blocks down Broad Street, and that even late in the evening,  “people were still bustling and bicycling along the walks.”

Happy Happy Hour

Thursday, Feb. 18 is a great night to grab your favorite cocktail with your favorite alumni group.

On that evening, the Temple Ambler Campus Alumni (TACA) will be hosting its first happy hour at the Shanachie Irish Pub, just a few minutes down the road from Temple Ambler. Beginning at 5:30 PM, enjoy drink specials and free appetizers while catching up with fellow grads. Don’t forget your business cards for networking and the raffle! Alumni are free; guests are $10.

College of Engineering graduate? Head out to King of Prussia to celebrate Engineers Week at Champps (located right in front of the United Artists theater). Mix and mingle with alumni and friends while enjoying complimentary beer, wine and appetizers.

Register for both of these happy hours online at myowlspace.com/events.