Owls from all around the country flew out of bed this past weekend to Temple’s campus for the 5th annual Alumni Weekend.
Early Saturday morning, Temple alumni and current students had the opportunity to hang out on campus and show off their owl pride, before the 4th annual 5k Run and Family Fun Walk kicked off this year’s Alumni Weekend. Participants lined up with family and friends at the intersection of 12th Street and Pollett Walk, in front of the Bell Tower, and raced to the finish line.
Alumni enjoyed returning to campus and were excited to see Temple’s growths. Joe Petrasanta, a 2006 Fox School of Business alumnus, commented on the new “heights” of campus felt the growth benefited all involved. “It’s good for the city, it’s good for the community, and it’s good for the school, and it’s good for the alumni.”
Talia Katz, who graduated in 2013 from the College of Education, expressed a similar viewpoint. “The fact that we’re rebuilding and we’re doing events like this, and getting alumni involved shows that Temple is an awesome school.”
The event generated a crowd of over 150 Owls, like Temple’s very own award-winning fast walker, Brian Foley, who applauded the success of this year’s events.“It’s great, I’ve been at Temple for 20 years, I’m a three-time alum and I’m a Temple staff member and this is the greatest turnout I’ve seen for an Alumni Weekend event.” Foley is a Continuing Studies Senior Advisor at Temple and has participated in many fast-walking events on campus over the years. His experience awarded him first place in the walking race of the day.
Associate Director of Homecoming and Alumni Weekend, Carrie Stavrakos, is hopeful for the same success for years to come. “This is the 5th year for Alumni Weekend and as people realize that we actually do have this growing tradition, we expect more people to be coming back and expand out the opportunities.” According to Stavrakos, plans are already in motion for the 2014-2015 Homecoming and Alumni Weekends.
Temple’s mascot, Stella The Owl, was also able to make an appearance, showing her support for all those involved in the race. Among other events, the run offered participants the chance to experience Temple’s changing landscape and earn free Temple gear.
For more information regarding Temple University’s Alumni Relations, or about the various events at the 2014 Alumni Weekend, visit https://www.alumni.temple.edu.
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