History of Temple University in Timeline

Temple University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a public, state-related research university. Founded in 1884 by Baptist minister Russell Conwell, it originated as the Baptist Temple. As of 2024, Temple is the second-largest university in Pennsylvania by enrollment, awarding over 9,000 degrees annually. Its alumni network spans the globe, with a strong presence in the United States, totaling over 350,000.

1901: Medical School Added

In 1901, Temple University added a medical school.

1901: First Law School Graduating Class

In 1901, the Law School graduated its first class of 16 students.

1901: Lewis Katz School of Medicine Founded

In 1901, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine was founded. It was Pennsylvania's first co-educational medical school.

1906: Merger with Garretson Hospital and Philadelphia Dental College

In 1906, Temple University merged with Garretson Hospital and the Philadelphia Dental College.

December 12, 1907: Reincorporation as Temple University

On December 12, 1907, Temple officially reincorporated as Temple University.

1907: Law School Accreditation

In 1907, the Law School received accreditation from the Pennsylvania State Board of Bar Examiners.

1908: STHM Programs Began

Since 1908, Temple began offering programs in the fields of sport, recreation, entertainment, event, tourism and hospitality before STHM's founding.

1911: School of Nursing Established

In 1911, Temple University established the School of Nursing.

1914: Teacher's College Established

In 1914, the Teacher's College was established at Temple University.

1918: Establishment of Fox School of Business

In 1918, the Fox School of Business was established.

1919: College of Education and Human Development Founded

In 1919, the College of Education and Human Development was founded, with more than 2,140 students.

1924: Creation of Templar Yearbook

In 1924, Templar, Temple University's annual undergraduate yearbook, was created.

1925: Death of Russell Conwell

In 1925, Russell Conwell, the founder and president of Temple University for 38 years, died and was buried at the Founder's Garden on campus.

1927: Klein College of Media and Communication Founded

In 1927, the Klein College of Media and Communication was founded.

February 22, 1936: Sullivan Hall Dedication

On February 22, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the dedication ceremony for Sullivan Hall (then Sullivan Memorial Library), Temple's first free-standing library, which houses the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection.

1938: Temple Wins First National Collegiate Basketball Championship

In 1938, Temple won the first-ever National Collegiate basketball championship under Coach James Usilton, securing the inaugural National Invitation Tournament title with a 60-36 victory over Colorado.

1954: Purchase of Monument Cemetery Land

In 1954, Temple University agreed to purchase 11 1/2 acres of the adjacent Monument Cemetery to repurpose it for athletic fields and a parking lot.

1955: University Expansion Plan Devised

In 1955, Temple hired Nolen & Swinburne Associates to devise a university expansion plan, which proposed demolishing historic row houses and constructing Modernist towers and a central quadrangle.

1956: Temple Makes NCAA Final Four Appearance

In 1956, the Temple basketball team made an NCAA Final Four appearance under Head Coach Harry Litwack.

1958: Temple Makes NCAA Final Four Appearance

In 1958, the Temple basketball team made an NCAA Final Four appearance under Head Coach Harry Litwack.

1962: Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance Founded

In 1962, the Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance was founded, becoming part of the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University.

1965: Temple Becomes a State-Related University

In 1965, Temple became a Pennsylvania state-related university, receiving state funds but operating independently.

1966: Development Plan Created

In 1966, Nolen & Swinburne returned to work for Temple University, creating a development plan. As a result, many North Philadelphia residents were displaced.

1966: University Library moves to Samuel L. Paley Library

In 1966, the university library relocated one block east to the Samuel L. Paley Library, named after Sam Paley. Its brutalist architecture became a campus landmark.

1967: School of Communications and Theater Expanded

In 1967, the school expanded to the School of Communications and Theater.

1967: First Conference Championship Since 1967

In 2016, Temple secured its first conference championship since 1967 by winning the 2016 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game.

1969: Temple Architecture Program Founded

In 1969, Temple’s Architecture program was founded.

1969: Steering Committee for Black Students Push for Community Involvement

In the spring of 1969, the Steering Committee for Black Students advocated for community involvement in Temple's expansion plans, an Afro-Asian Institute, and special admissions for minority students. Eventually, the Governor forced an agreement to limit building heights and preserve some land.

1977: Introduction of Victor T. Owl

In 1977, Temple introduced "Victor T. Owl" as a costumed mascot.

1979: Owls win the Garden State Bowl

In 1979, the Temple Owls had their first postseason victory at the Garden State Bowl.

1982: Peter J. Liacouras Becomes President

In 1982, Peter J. Liacouras became Temple’s seventh president, a position he held until 2000.

1983: Temple "T" Symbol Design

In 1983, the Temple "T" symbol was designed by students in a graphic arts and design class at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. The cherry and white "T" represents strength, positive character, and the free exchange of ideas.

1984: Mascot Renamed Hooter

In 1984, the "Victor T. Owl" mascot was renamed Hooter, which has remained Temple's mascot at sports games and events since.

1984: Baptist Temple Certified as Historical Building

In 1984, the Baptist Temple was certified by the Philadelphia Historical Commission as an Historical Building.

1987: Chaney's Owls Ranked Number One

In 1987-88, John Chaney's Owls team entered the NCAA tournament ranked No. 1 in the country.

1988: Chaney Named National Coach of the Year

In 1988, John Chaney was named consensus national coach of the year.

1997: Formation of TUGSA

In 1997, the Temple University Graduate Students' Association (TUGSA) was formed. It is the only recognized graduate student employee union in Pennsylvania.

1998: School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Established

In 1998, the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) was established.

1999: University Endowment Growth

By 1999, during Peter Liacouras's presidency, Temple University's endowment rose to $109 million.

1999: Fox School of Business Named

In 1999, the business school was named in honor of Richard J. Fox.

2000: End of Liacouras Presidency

Peter Liacouras's tenure as Temple University president ended in 2000.

2003: Baptist Temple Designated as Landmark Building

In 2003, the Baptist Temple was designated by the American Institute of Architects as a Landmark Building.

January 2006: Opening of the TECH Center

In January 2006, Temple University opened the TECH Center, a 75,000 sq ft technology facility.

April 10, 2006: Fran Dunphy Named Temple's Head Basketball Coach

On April 10, 2006, Fran Dunphy, formerly head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, was named Temple's men's head basketball coach after John Chaney's retirement.

2008: Owls Win Atlantic-10 Tournament

In 2008, Fran Dunphy and the Owls won the Atlantic-10 tournament.

2008: Standardization of Cherry Color

In 2008, Temple standardized the cherry color to be Pantone Matching System (PMS) 201.

2008: The Temple News Receives National Online Pacemaker Award

In 2008, the website for The Temple News, temple-news.com, received the National Online Pacemaker Award from the Associated Collegiate Press.

2008: Sustainability Policies Enacted

Since 2008, Temple University has enacted policies that include purchasing from green vendors, conserving water and energy, offering courses focusing on the environment and sustainability, administering grants and incentives for research related to the environment, and offering programs to create a green culture.

2009: Owls Win Atlantic-10 Tournament

In 2009, Fran Dunphy and the Owls won the Atlantic-10 tournament.

2009: Stella the Owl Hatched

In 2009, Stella, Temple's live owl mascot, was hatched in Washington State and raised by a master falconer.

2009: Tyler moves to Main Campus

In 2009, Tyler School of Art and Architecture moved to a state-of-the-art facility at Temple's Main Campus in Philadelphia.

2009: BCM&D Records Founded

In 2009, the Boyer College of Music and Dance's record label, BCM&D Records, was founded.

2009: The Temple News Wins Keystone Press Awards

In 2009, the staff of The Temple News won eight Keystone Press Awards.

2010: Owls Win Atlantic-10 Tournament

In 2010, Fran Dunphy and the Owls won their third straight Atlantic-10 tournament, marking a conference-leading ninth A-10 title.

2010: Conversion of Baptist Temple

In 2010, the Baptist Temple was converted into a 1200-seat, multipurpose performance venue.

2010: Owls Play in Gildan New Mexico Bowl

In 2010, the Temple Owls football program went 9-4 and played in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, defeating Wyoming 37-15, which was Temple's first postseason victory since 1979.

2011: Stella Arrives in Pennsylvania

In 2011, Stella, Temple's live owl mascot, arrived in Pennsylvania and began living in the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown.

2011: Owls Win A-10 Regular Season Title

In the 2011-12 season, the Owls won the A-10 regular season title.

January 2012: Architecture Building Opened

The Architecture building at Temple University opened in January 2012, featuring a glass curtain wall and open studio spaces.

December 17, 2012: Matt Rhule Named Head Football Coach

On December 17, 2012, Matt Rhule was named Temple's 26th head football coach, after serving as the assistant offensive line coach with the New York Giants.

2012: School of Theater, Film and Media Arts Created

In 2012, the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts (TFMA) was created.

2013: Sheller Center for Social Justice Created

In 2013, the Sheller Center for Social Justice at Temple Law School was created, partnering with local community advocacy organizations.

July 2014: HIV Removed from Human Cells

In July 2014, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine were the first to remove HIV from human cells.

2014: Science and Education Research Center (SERC) Completed

In 2014, the Science and Education Research Center (SERC) was completed, achieving LEED Gold Certification.

2014: Advanced SERC Opens

In 2014, the advanced Science Education and Research Center (SERC) opened, housing research centers, institutes, labs, and teaching rooms.

October 2015: School Named After Lewis Katz

In October 2015, the school was officially named the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in honor of Lewis Katz.

2015: The Temple News Wins National Pacemaker Award

In 2015, The Temple News won the National Pacemaker Award for its print edition.

2015: Temple Posts School-Record-Tying Wins

In 2015, the Temple Owls football team posted a school-record-tying 10 wins and 4 losses.

December 13, 2016: Geoff Collins Named Head Football Coach

On December 13, 2016, Geoff Collins was named Temple's 27th head football coach. He had previously served as defensive coordinator for the University of Florida Gators.

2016: Research University Classification

In 2016, Temple was classified as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

2016: Tyler School of Art Ranked

In 2016, Tyler was ranked number 15 in fine art schools in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

2016: Four Temple Programs joined Tyler

In 2016, four more Temple programs joined Tyler: City & Regional Planning, Community Development, Horticulture, and Landscape Architecture.

2017: Aramark Student Training and Recreation Complex (STAR) opened

In 2017, the Aramark Student Training and Recreation Complex (STAR) was opened at 15th Street and Montgomery Avenue.

2017: Fox School Ranked

In 2017, the Fox School of Business was ranked in the top 30 in the nation in the Times Higher Ed World University Rankings and top 80 in the world for undergraduate studies.

2017: Templar Yearbook Receives National Award

In 2017, the Templar yearbook received a national second-place award from the American Scholastic Press Association.

2017: Owls Defeat Florida International Golden Panthers

In 2017, the Temple Owls, coached by Geoff Collins, defeated the Florida International Golden Panthers 28 to 3 in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasporilla Bowl.

2017: Social Work Enrollment

In Fall 2017, Temple's School of Social Work, part of the College of Public Health, had an enrollment of more than 600 students.

2017: Temple Basketball Ranked Fifth in NCAA Wins

Starting the 2017-2018 season, the Temple Men's basketball program was ranked fifth in all-time NCAA wins with 1,903.

2018: Profiled in The Princeton Review

In 2018, Temple undergraduate college is among the top colleges profiled in The Princeton Review's The Best 382 colleges.

2018: Temple Basketball Ranked Fifth in NCAA Wins

Starting the 2017-2018 season, the Temple Men's basketball program was ranked fifth in all-time NCAA wins with 1,903.

2019: Opening of Charles Library

In 2019, Temple University opened Charles Library, a four-story study facility designed by Snøhetta.

2019: Closure of Samuel L. Paley Library

In 2019, the Samuel L. Paley Library was closed as a library and repurposed for the School of Public Health.

2019: Tyler expanded its name

In 2019, the school expanded its name, becoming the Tyler School of Art and Architecture.

2019: Last In-Person Graduation Ceremony Before Pandemic

The last in-person graduation ceremony before the COVID-19 pandemic was held in 2019.

March 9, 2020: G.I. Bill Reimbursement Suspended

On March 9, 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs suspended G.I. Bill reimbursement eligibility for Temple University due to "erroneous, deceptive, or misleading enrollment and advertising practices" by the Fox School of Business, giving the school 60 days to take "corrective action".

March 13, 2020: End of In-Person Instruction Due to COVID-19

On March 13, 2020, Temple University ended in-person instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2020: Sanctions Withdrawn

In July 2020, the VA withdrew its threat of sanctions against Temple University.

2020: Library Holdings

As of 2020, the Charles Library holdings totaled 4 million physical items, including 1.5 million books, and 1.5 million electronic books, and is open to the general public.

November 29, 2021: Moshe Porat Convicted

On November 29, 2021, Moshe Porat, former dean of Temple University's business school, was convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud.

May 2022: First In-Person Graduation Ceremony Since 2019

In May 2022, Temple held its first in-person, university-wide graduation ceremony since 2019.

2022: Research and Development Spending

According to the National Science Foundation, Temple University spent $301,395,000 on research and development in 2022.

January 31, 2023: Graduate Student Workers' Strike

On January 31, 2023, the graduate student workers' union at Temple University declared a labor strike.

April 11, 2023: JoAnne Epps Named Acting President

On April 11, 2023, JoAnne Epps was named Acting President of Temple University.

September 19, 2023: Death of Acting President JoAnne Epps

On September 19, 2023, Temple University Acting President JoAnne Epps died after a medical episode.

2023: Student Housing

As of 2023, 13,764 students live on or around Temple's main campus.

2023: Degrees Awarded

In 2023, Temple University awarded 9,128 degrees.

2023: Law School Enrollment

In Fall 2023, the Beasley School of Law had an enrollment of approximately 650 students.

2023: Protests Against Gaza War

In October of 2023, Temple University students protested against the Gaza war, criticizing the administration's stance and demanding financial divestment from companies profiting from the conflict. The ACLU became involved in 2023 after the administration took disciplinary action against students for participating in a “Gaza Solidarity” encampment off-campus.

July 3, 2024: John Fry Appointed 15th President

On July 3, 2024, Temple's Board of Trustees announced it appointed John Fry as its 15th president.

November 2024: Development of new facility announced

In November 2024, Temple announced the development of a new 199,000-square-foot facility west of Broad Street, across from Polett Walk. It will house the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, featuring new theaters, a student media center, and a virtual reality/innovation lab.

2024: Law School Ranked

As of 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Beasley School of Law tied for 54th best law school in the United States.

2024: Student Enrollment

As of 2024, approximately 30,005 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students were enrolled at Temple University.

2024: Temple Alumni Statistics

As of 2024, there are more than 365,000 Temple alumni living in 50 states and 152 countries, including a Rhodes Scholar, five Marshall Scholars, and many Fulbright Scholars. Notable alumni include Bill Cosby, Bob Saget, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Irvin Kershner, Diplo, Karen Patricia Williams, and Gertrude Moskowitz.

2024: Forbes Ranking

Forbes ranked Temple 192nd out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America for the 2024-25 report.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Temple 144th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Temple's contribution to the public good.

2024: New Degree Programs Offered

In 2024, three new undergraduate degree programs were offered by the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management.

2024: Temple University Greek Association

In Fall 2024, the Temple University Greek Association comprised 31 Greek organizations with 938 members.

2024: Temple University Rankings

In U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings, Temple is tied for 89th among all national universities. Temple's Arts and Humanities faculty, Social Science and Management faculty, Life Science, and Medicine faculty are ranked 401-450, 451-500, and 369th respectively in the world in 2024 by QS World University Rankings. Additionally, Temple's Hospitality and Tourism Management faculty is ranked 9th in the world in 2024 by ARWU.