Campus of Temple University

Red Owl by Beniamino Bufano at Temple University's Alumni Circle

The main campus of Temple University is in North Philadelphia about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Center City. It occupies 118 acres (48 ha);[1] an estimated 12,626 students live on or near it.[2] Events for students and the public include concerts, performances, clubs, exhibits and lectures.

The campus has notable landmarks which have accrued over its history. O'Connor Plaza surrounds the Founder's Garden between Polett Walk and Liacouras Walk.[3] The bronze statue of an owl, the university's mascot, is a popular photo spot at the heart of main campus.[4]

The Founder's Garden near Liacouras Walk, is the burial place of Russell Conwell, founder and 38-year president of Temple.[4] A former Yale student, Civil War captain, Boston lawyer, and Philadelphia minister, Conwell used the income from his famous “Acres of Diamonds” speech to fund Temple[5] as a place where working-class Philadelphians might receive higher education. It has been estimated that Conwell, who died at 82, helped more than 90,000 men and women[6] pursue higher education. A bust of Conwell marks his grave. Another green area on campus is the Johnny Ring Garden. It is located near the faculty staff dining 'Diamond Club', and celebrates Conwell and Johnny Ring.

The Bell Tower sits at 110 feet (34 m) tall in the center of the Main Campus between what was the Samuel Paley Library and Beury Hall. The surrounding plaza and grassy area, the largest "green space" on the urban campus, are commonly called "the beach". The area is a meeting place and hangout location for students and their protests, promotions, speeches, political campaigning, and charity drives. It also hosts various official events such as Spring Fling.[7]

  1. ^ "Main Campus < Temple University". bulletin.temple.edu. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  2. ^ "Visualize Temple: 2014 Campus Master Plan" (PDF). Temple University. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  3. ^ "O'Connor Plaza and renovated Founder's Garden to officially open Sept. 14". Temple Now | news.temple.edu. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  4. ^ a b "O'Connor Plaza and renovated Founder's Garden to officially open Sept. 14". Temple Now | news.temple.edu. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  5. ^ Lovik, Eric G. (2006-02-10). "Temple: The Story of an Urban University" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-02-10.
  6. ^ Jones, Harold B. Jr. (November 2011). ""Find out what the people want": The Russell Conwell story". Freeman. 61: 25–28. ProQuest 922481116.
  7. ^ "Temple University Webcams". 2004-07-22. Archived from the original on 2004-07-22.