From record-setting philanthropic gifts to major campus investments, new academic partnerships and the largest first-year class in its history, Temple University experienced a period marked by major institutional developments during the first half of the 2025–2026 academic year.

Since its last media update in June 2025, Temple University and its faculty experts were mentioned in more than 24,000 news stories between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, bringing the university’s total media mentions for the 2025 calendar year to 50,089, according to the earned media tracking platform Cision.

That visibility reflects contributions from across Temple’s 17 schools and colleges, with faculty regularly providing expert commentary and research insights on university initiatives, student and alumni impact and current issues in the news throughout the year.

As a Carnegie R1 public research university rooted in North Philadelphia and serving students, faculty and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, Temple continues to generate stories with broad public relevance. Strategic media placements extend the reach of its research and elevate the lived experiences and expertise of the academic community.

“Amplifying the impactful research conducted by faculty allows innovative ideas to reach the public and the communities they are meant to serve,” said Lu Lu, associate professor in Temple’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management who regularly offers her expertise to news outlets. “Many scholars are often too humble to promote their own work. Thoughtful media coverage not only celebrates individual achievements but also strengthens the collective impact of the Temple scholarly community.”  

In addition to faculty expertise, Temple’s programs, milestones and student achievements were also prominently featured throughout the year. Highlights from recent media coverage include the following.

• CBS Philadelphia profiled George Lane, a Temple first-year student and Gates Scholar who received college acceptance letters from more than five universities nationwide, highlighting his journey to Temple, Aug. 19, 2025.
• Susan Smith, Temple’s chief compliance officer, discussed the university’s Data Verification Unit with Inside Higher Ed, Aug. 28, 2025.
• Elizabeth Taylor and Gareth Jones, associate professors in the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, shared research on leadership perception and gender bias among female athletes with WHYY, Aug. 31, 2025.
• Jennifer Ibrahim, dean of the Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health, discussed the grand opening of the college’s new facility with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 8, 2025.
• Temple’s largest single donation in university history, made by alum Christopher Barnett, was covered by Philadelphia Business Journal, Oct. 10, 2025.
• The Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Awards, honoring journalist David Muir and 6abc multimedia journalist Beccah Hendrickson, were featured on 6abc, Oct. 22, 2025.
• Matthew Brunner, associate professor and director of athletic bands, reflected on the Diamond Marching Band’s 100th anniversary with Fox29, Nov. 7, 2025.
• NBC10 Philadelphia covered the Diamond Marching Band’s final rehearsal ahead of its appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 24, 2025.
• Sunil Wattal, associate dean of research and doctoral programs at Temple’s Fox School of Business, spoke with The Philadelphia Inquirer about effective and humane approaches to communicating job rejection, Nov. 30, 2025.
• The Philadelphia Tribune covered Temple’s campus police staffing study and the university’s plans to strengthen its police force, Dec. 18, 2025.
• Sheri Lambert, associate professor of practice in the Fox School, spoke with CBS Philadelphia about the post-holiday surge in gift returns following Christmas, Dec. 26, 2025.

Together, these placements advance the work of Temple’s scholars, celebrate student success and expand the visibility of the university’s role in research, innovation and public impact.