A look back at
Weeks of Welcome 2026

Welcome, new Owls!

Story and layout by Kiki Volkert
Photography by Betsy Manning and Ryan S. Brandenberg

With the end of summer comes the beginning of the fall semester, and for incoming first-year and transfer students, the beginning of the next chapter of their lives.

During Temple’s Weeks of Welcome, new students settled into life as Owls as they moved into their dorms on Main Campus, celebrated and socialized at TempleFest, and received a warm welcome from President Fry during the Convocation ceremony at the Liacouras Center.

It was an emotional time marked by both excitement about all of the new opportunities and the sadness of leaving home, but the feeling of Temple pride pervaded it all.

In a few years, these students will visit the Liacouras Center for Commencement. They will leave the building being #TempleMade. For now, look back at Temple's newest Owls as they embark on their Temple journey and everything it will bring.

Moving in

With the help of their families, first-year and transfer students moved their belongings into the dorm rooms they’ll call home until next spring.

During move-in, students were asked,
“What's one item you couldn’t leave home without?”

Convocation

The Convocation ceremony officially marked the beginning of students’ Temple journeys, with cheers, inspiring words and plenty of school spirit.

“Today, you begin a new and pivotal chapter in your lives. Your entire college experience, all of your academic adventures, all the mind-blowing discoveries and lifelong friendships, all of it and more is now right in front of you.”
–President John Fry

"Make your time here count.
Each day, each moment, each year."
–Senior Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Wentz

TempleFest

TempleFest brought hundreds of student organizations, clubs, teams and campus resources together to help new and returning Owls find their place at Temple, offering something for anyone who wants to get involved.

Top Built with Shorthand