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Discover the Top 9 Entertaining and Intriguing Facts about Temple University You Never Knew!

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Get ready to have your owl-ways curious mind filled with fascinating tidbits about Temple University—a proud nest of knowledge, growth, and cherry blossoms.

1. Diamond Speeches

When Temple University's founder wasn't busy being a diamond salesman on the side (hint, hint): Russell Conwell used his earnings from giving over 6,000 speeches on the famed story "Acres of Diamonds" to establish the esteemed institution we know today.
Source => meaningfulhq.com

2. Night Owls Unite

Once upon a moonlit night, when night owls ruled the classrooms and the founder wore the coolest hat at the ball: Temple University was officially founded in 1888 by Russell Conwell, who began educating a small group of eager students who could only attend after the sun had set, thus laying the groundwork for a thriving academic community of over 35,000 students today.
Source => temple.edu

3. Stella the Owl-STAR

Whoever said, "You can't teach an old owl new tricks" clearly never met Stella from Temple University: She's a rescued owl-turned-educational-ambassador who not only wows students with her determination and skills but also entertains herself by tearing up lettuce, newspapers, and her own perch.
Source => temple-university-ia.shorthandstories.com

4. Dentistry Before Toothpaste

In the spirit of "better late than never", Temple University's dental school was sinking teeth into education even before the toothpaste tube was an inkling of an idea: The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, established in 1863, is the second oldest continually functioning dental school in the US, joining Temple in 1907 and accredited by the American Dental Association. Its alumni association boasts camaraderie worldwide, bringing smiles to faces in more ways than one.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Ali Hafed's Folly

5. Ali Hafed's Folly

In a world of gem-encrusted tales and diamond-studded fables, one man's anecdote proved that pursuing shiny objects abroad can make you miss the treasure hiding beneath your bedazzled nose: Temple University's founder, Russell Conwell, famously shared the story of Ali Hafed, a man who discovered too late that his own land held vast amounts of precious gems, emphasizing the importance of working hard and recognizing the value of readily available resources.
Source => barnesandnoble.com

6. Blockson's Treasures

Searching for hidden treasures in North Philly? Look no further than the temple of knowledge, where the greatest heist story has been peacefully resolved: The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University houses over 500,000 African American artifacts, including narratives by Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, and first-edition works of Phyllis Wheatley and W.E.B. DuBois, making it one of the most prestigious African American collections in the U.S. and a gold mine for academic researchers.
Source => liberalarts.temple.edu

7. Globetrotting Temple

Feeling globetrotty with a touch of brain gain? Temple University has got you covered, matey: With campuses in Rome, Japan, and Spain, Temple students can readily explore international opportunities through various exchange programs, study-abroad ventures, and exclusive partnerships with other institutions around the world.
Source => studyabroad.temple.edu

8. Swiss Army Arts Center

From Shakespearean soliloquies to cinematic escapades, Temple University's Performing Arts Center is the "Swiss Army knife" of event venues: This multifaceted hub on North Broad Street, Philadelphia, offers theater productions, film screenings, and symposiums on documentary theory and practice, making it the epicenter of artistic and cultural development at the university.
Source => tfma.temple.edu

9. Pulitzer Party

At Temple University, the ink-drenched hallways produce more than just scholarly essays – it's a veritable Pulitzer Party conga line! Shimmying in the limelight are John Dotson, Joby Warrick, Clarence Williams, David Wood, Gekoski-Kimmel, Graham, Purcell, and Kurtis Lee: these Pulitzer Prize-winning alumni have made their mark on journalism, covering everything from public service to nonfiction, and inspiring generations of future laughter-loving literati.
Source => klein.temple.edu

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