Founded in 1884 by lawyer and minister Russell Conwell as an evening school for working-class citizens, Temple University is a major public research university located in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Spanning a bustling 115-acre main campus along Broad Street, Temple connects affordable higher education directly with Philadelphia's vibrant health, business, legal, and artistic sectors. You can examine its founding philosophy and urban history through the Temple University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend Temple, you enter a diverse, self-driven academic community shaped by Conwell's famous Acres of Diamonds lecture. You learn in an urban environment that emphasizes practical skill development, civic responsibility, and active engagement with the surrounding metropolitan area.
Premier Academic Programs
Temple hosts 17 specialized schools and colleges that hold national reputations across diverse fields:
- Fox School of Business: Top-ranked institution for risk management, entrepreneurship, management information systems, and accounting. Explore degree options on the Fox School of Business portal.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication: Renowned center for journalism, media production, advertising, and strategic communication.
- Beasley School of Law: National leader in trial advocacy, legal writing, healthcare law, and public interest clinics.
- Kornberg School of Dentistry: Second-oldest continuously operating dental school in the United States, driving clinical oral healthcare delivery.
- Boyer College of Music and Dance: Delivers elite artistic education in music performance, composition, dance therapy, and music education.
"Perseverantia Vincit, translated from Latin as Perseverance Conquers, serves as Temple University's official motto, guiding student ambition."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate life unfolds along the vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare of Liacouras Walk, anchored by Charles Library and the Bell Tower. School spirit revolves around Hooter the Owl, the energetic official mascot representing the university's origins as a night school. You can read about the mascot history and spirit traditions on the official Hooter the Owl Mascot page. Cheering alongside fellow fans inside the Liacouras Center for NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference basketball games and joining over 350 student organizations creates a passionate campus community.
Research Infrastructure and Urban Healthcare
Temple operates an R1 doctoral research framework deeply integrated with the Temple University Health System:
- Temple Health System: Comprises major medical research facilities, including Temple University Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center.
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology: Specialized research institute investigating molecular oncology and viral therapeutics. Learn more via Temple Research Operations.
- Center for Urban Bioethics: Interdisciplinary research center addressing healthcare disparities, environmental justice, and urban public health policy.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk alongside prominent actors, journalists, music producers, and corporate leaders, including:
- Bob Saget: Beloved actor, comedian, and television host who studied film at Temple's Lew Klein College.
- Tamron Hall: Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and television talk show host who graduated from Temple.
- Jesse Williams: Actor and civil rights activist best known for Grey's Anatomy who studied African American Studies and Film at Temple.
- Diplo: Grammy Award-winning DJ, music producer, and songwriter who attended Temple University.
Temple University provides significant financial assistance and merit scholarships for qualified domestic and international students. Review full entry requirements on the official Temple Undergraduate Admissions portal.