A look back at Move-in and Weeks of Welcome
Temple University’s Class of 2026 officially moved onto campus in August. The university welcomed 5,310 new Owls to the nest. This year marks Temple’s most ethnically and geographically diverse incoming class in history. More than 51% of students of color have committed, establishing a 6% increase from last year’s class. This is the largest number ever of expected Black, Latinx, Native American and Asian students.
As first-year and new transfer students traveled from far and near to reach Philadelphia, a new group of Owls was welcomed with smiles from student leaders, volunteers, housing staff and administrators. It was a special day for Temple families, bringing a full range of emotions and excitement as students unloaded cars and set up dorm rooms before saying goodbye to their loved ones. Some would say it is a rite of passage as students kick off their college journey.
For incoming Owls it is about developing friendships, becoming familiar with campus life and learning about how to use university resources as they embark on the beginning of their journey to being Temple Made.
It was all part of the Temple Together experience.
Move-in Day
Lauren Morris, Class of 2026, a broadcast journalism major in the Klein College of Media and Communication, will be one of the Temple student vloggers this fall semester. View Morris’s journey as a first-year student at Temple in a YouTube vlog series, The Owl Diaries.
Rich Le, Class of 2023, a health information management major in the College of Public Health, will be the other Temple student vlogger this fall semester. Tune in to Le’s dynamic student vlog series, A Week in My Life at Temple to see how he navigates his senior year.
President Jason Wingard celebrates the Class of 2026 at Move-in
President Jason Wingard welcomed students and their families at Move-in and even assisted them with unloading items to residence hall rooms.
Convocation
Following an annual tradition, incoming students and the Diamond Marching Band walked in unison across campus into Convocation at The Liacouras Center this year. Convocation is a ceremonial gathering at the start of the academic year that celebrates the arrival of undergraduate first-year and transfer students as they embark on their college journey.
“The Class of 2026 is the most diverse class in the 138-year history of Temple University,” President Wingard said to the student body.
“This class for years will be armed with the skills and the duty and the ability to disrupt and amplify the future of work. You all come here because you want the best in class education,” he said. “This is the best-prepared class to ever come to Temple.”
“My top priority is to oversee your academic journey and to ensure that you are very well-prepared for your future careers,” said Gregory Mandel, the university’s new provost.
“Many are joining us from across the country, 44 different states. Among you are students who have traveled from halfway around the world, like from Singapore and India, while others grew up in our backyard, right down the street from us. The youngest first-year student with us today is 16 and the most seasoned among you is 60.”
“At Temple, the experiences you have will be the catalyst for the innovations you contribute to the world,” said Gianni Quattrocchi, Class of 2024, Temple Student Government President.
“We have the resources at Temple to help grow and build your skill set for tomorrow. Get involved, take risks, join clubs, meet new people and talk to your classmates. Reach out to your professors and always look for ways to give back to the community.
"Not only will this prepare you for the future, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have for yourself," he said.
“Hopefully in four years’ time, you will have forged relationships, secured mentors and acquired faculty who are willing to write glowing recommendations as you move on to things as graduates of Temple University’s Class of 2026,” said Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, an associate professor of urban theater and community engagement at Temple.
“This is just the beginning of your welcome to the next.”
President Wingard had fun with students doing the #TempleGriddy at Convocation.
Lee Farrell, KLN ’20, who entertains our Owls as an emcee and in-game host for Temple University Athletics, pumped up the Class of 2026 at Convocation.
The Diamond Gems Dance Team, a part of the Temple Spirit Squad, performed a dazzling dance routine at the event.
Those in attendance performed Temple’s popular cheer of “T for Temple U” which echoes through our stands during sporting events and represents Temple pride for all things cherry and white.
“T for Temple U
U-ni-versity!
Fight, fight, fight!
For the cherry and the white,
For the cherry and the white,
We'll fight, fight, fight!”
TempleFest
In the ultimate event to kick off the year at Temple, more than 300 student clubs and organizations, departments, and vendors set up tables with information on how to get involved and connected on campus.
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