Students perform RENT, Brubeck premiere in March and April

If you are in the Philadelphia or New York area in the coming month, Temple students have some fantastic performances coming up. Temple Theaters’ production of RENT opened March 3 and continues through April 11 in Tomlinson Theater, Main Campus. Tickets are $20-$25. Watch a video promo on Temple’s channel on YouTube or visit www.temple.edu/theater for more information.

At the same time, Temple University Symphony Orchestra is performing two new works — one by jazz legends Dave and Chris Brubeck and the other by composer and former Temple professor Bill Cunliffe — on March 21 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philly and April 9 at Lincoln Center in New York City. The Brubecks’ work is a tribute to the photography of Ansel Adams (check out the NPR story here) and the performance will include a slideshow of 100 of his images. Cunliffe’s piece (check out the Temple Online Newsroom story and video here)  is a collaboration initiated by jazz trumpeter and Temple professor  Terrell Stafford.

Tickets to the March 21 Kimmel Center concert are $20-$35.

Tickets to the April 9 Lincoln Center concert are available directly from Lincoln Center for $20-$35 or in a package with a pre-concert reception hosted by Temple University Alumni Association for $35. 

Going Dancing!

With impressive wins over Rhode Island and Richmond to secure the A-10 Tournament Championship, the Owls earned a No. 5 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. Temple will face the No. 12 seed Cornell on Friday at 12:30 PM in Jacksonville. With an overall record of 29-5, the Owls are making their 28th tournament appearance on a 10-game winning streak.

Tickets are still available for the game, starting at $72. Contact the Temple Box Office at 215-204-8499 to reserve your tickets today!

Can’t make it to the game? Catch the Owls in action on CBS.

Women’s A-10 Tourney Begins This Weekend

The basketball postseason gets underway this weekend as the women’s basketball team heads to Upper Marlboro, MD on Saturday, March 6 for the A-10 tournament. The Owls will face the winner of the Duquesne vs. George Washington game. Tip-off for the Temple game is at 8:00. Get your game tickets!

The women are heading in to the tournament as the No. 3 seed and coming off a two-game winning streak. Keep your eye on sophomore Kristen McCarthy, who was recently honored as Big 5 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. She has averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the regular season, ranks fourth in the A-10 in scoring, and proved herself to be a powerhouse in the final games of the year.

What’s a tournament without an alumni party? Join Washington D.C. area fans in the Temple alumni suite at Showplace Arena. Enjoy an open bar, sandwiches and finger foods before, during and after the game. The suite will be open from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Cost is $20 per person; game tickets must be purchased separately. Register online today.

Go Owls!

“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.

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.

Temple hoops in the Capitol area

Temple men’s basketball is off to a phenomenal start in the A-10 season. Coming off wins against St. Joe’s and Rhode Island, the Owls are on fire as they head into home games against UMass and Xavier.

Live in the D.C. area? Join fellow alumni and fans at our official viewing party location, the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, for these upcoming games:

Wednesday, Jan. 20 vs. Xavier, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, Jan. 27 vs. Charlotte, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 24 vs. Dayton, 7:00 PM

Enjoy food, drinks and fun watching the Owls and connecting with Temple alumni in the region. The Penn Quarter is located at 639 Indiana Ave. NW, one block from Navy Memorial-Archives Metro stop.

You also can catch the Owls on ESPN 2, The Comcast Network and ESPNU throughout the season. Check the men’s basketball schedule for complete details.

Team Spirit

The Temple football team’s commitment to community service often continues long after graduation. For example, Raheem Brock, SBM ’08, defensive tackle  for the Indianapolis Colts, and several current members of the team recently took 45 school-aged children on a shopping spree funded by Brock.

Owls of Distinction in the Philadelphia Business Journal

When it comes to Owls, leadership should be as signature a characteristic as is wisdom. For example, both Elaine Thompson, CHPSW ’85, and Nilda Ruiz, SBM ’86, were included on Philadelphia Business Journal‘s 2009 list of  the region’s “Women of Distinction,” published Nov. 30.

Thompson is president of Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa., and earned a master’s degree from the College of Health Professions and Social Work.  Ruiz is president and CEO of Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life for Latinos in the greater Philadelphia area.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Fox School of Business.