A new gift from Joslyn G. Ewart, EDU ’80, will enhance initiatives at the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts (CPCA). The gift will establish an endowed deanship, making CPCA the first undergraduate division at Temple to have an endowed academic dean.
In recognition of the $3 million commitment, Robert Stroker, vice provost for the arts and dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts, will hold the new position known as the Joslyn G. Ewart Dean of the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts.
This represents Temple’s first endowed deanship outside of its professional schools, where endowed deanships are held at the Beasley School of Law and the Katz School of Medicine.
“This gift marks a significant milestone for Temple’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts,” said Temple President John Fry. “Joslyn Ewart’s generosity reflects her unwavering commitment to Temple and to the arts in Philadelphia—especially as we prepare to open a state-of-the-art facility that will serve both Klein College and CPCA. Her gift is also a testament to the leadership of Dean Stroker and his devotion to access, excellence and enhancing the quality of life through the arts during his more than 20 years of service at Temple.”
Temple’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts is home to the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. The new gift will support a variety of initiatives to advance Stroker’s vision for CPCA such as academic programs, student support, faculty development and research projects.
“I am deeply grateful for Joslyn’s long-standing commitment to Temple and our arts programs,” said Stroker. “The creative arts—including dance, film, music and theater—serve as the signature of civilizations and have a profound impact on the quality of life for all. Joslyn’s creation of this lasting legacy strengthens our mission to advance the performing and cinematic arts at Temple and beyond. It is a tremendous testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni and the vision of the future that we are creating together.”
A longtime supporter of the arts in Philadelphia, Ewart acknowledges that philanthropists have many choices when it comes to making an impact. For her, it is Temple’s strong reputation and visionary leadership that makes this gift especially meaningful. She is particularly inspired by the direction of the university under President Fry’s leadership.
“President Fry and Dean Stroker share my conviction that the arts matter—they showcase the excellence of the university, engage the broader community and give all of us something to be proud of,” said Ewart, founder of Entrust Financial LLC and member of the Board of Visitors of CPCA since 2009. In 2013, Ewart became chair of the Board of Visitors of CPCA. “There are many worthy causes out there to support. I’m honored to help continue expanding the quality of education and advancing the arts at Temple for generations to come.”
Robert T. Stroker was appointed dean and professor of music education at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in 2002; vice provost for the arts in 2011; and in 2012 became dean of the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts, which along with Boyer is part of the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts.
Stroker also founded the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center in 2004. Housed within the Boyer College of Music and Dance, the center promotes interdisciplinary research, training and innovative programs exploring the role of the arts in enhancing human well-being and quality of life.
“I first met Dean Stroker more than 20 years ago, and I’ve watched his leadership transform Temple’s music and arts programs into nationally recognized, world-class opportunities,” said Ewart. “His vision and steady leadership have stood the test of time. It is an exciting time for the arts at Temple.”
Ewart has a long history of supporting Temple arts. In 2017, she established the My Best Teacher Endowed Scholarship to honor her late husband, Don Ewart, BYR ’66, ’68, who she described as her “best teacher.” This endowed scholarship provides full in-state tuition to music majors with financial need.
In recognition of her support of the performing arts and music education, Boyer honored Ewart with the 2023 Boyer College Tribute Award.
As part of the new gift, Ewart was appointed a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Boyer. “It is important to me to have some skin in the game and to be engaged on the issues I am passionate about,” she said. “In this role at Temple, I’m hoping to do research on the economic benefits of the arts and maybe even get back into the classroom to teach music students about the value of being financially responsible as they begin their careers.”
Commitment to the Arts
The gift—Ewart’s largest gift to Temple—comes as Temple deepens its commitment to the arts. In February, Temple purchased Terra Hall, formerly owned by the University of the Arts. The building will now provide an opportunity for Temple to have a presence in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia.
In April, Temple announced a historic $27.5 million gift from Sidney and Caroline Kimmel to support the new home for the Klein College of Media and Communication and CPCA, which will be named the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication.
Finally, in September, Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture launched a new partnership with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). The agreement includes leasing space in PAFA’s Hamilton Building; creating a “critic-in-residence” program; expanding studio opportunities for MFA graduates; and granting all Tyler students, faculty and staff access to the PAFA Museum.
Building a Legacy
Ewart, a graduate of Temple’s College of Education and Human Development, began her professional journey as a music teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, spending two decades inspiring thousands of students.
During that time, she had her first interactions with Temple students. “My introduction to Temple was through student teachers I met while I was teaching,” she said. “I was always impressed with them; it was clear they were receiving a strong foundation in music education.”
Teaching was her first real job—and it sparked a discovery. “I realized then how much I love to build,” she said. “There was no real curriculum at the time, so I created it.”
That same spirit of building carried into the next phase of her career. In 2001, she founded Entrust Financial, one of the few woman-owned independent investment firms in the Philadelphia region where she specializes in investment management and wealth planning.
“I was always very careful with saving money going all the way back to observing my grandparents’ lives,” she said. “I care deeply about financial empowerment and building relationships with people and wanted to help others maximize their potential.”
In 2016, she extended that passion for sharing knowledge by publishing Balancing Act: Wealth Management Straight Talk for Women, a financial planning guide featuring step-by-step strategies, real-life examples and practical advice to help readers confidently manage their finances. All proceeds from book sales support the endowed My Best Teacher Scholarship Fund she established at Temple.
“I am a big believer in endowing my gifts because it enables them to grow and produce more benefit over time,” she said. To date, two music education majors have been awarded scholarships through the My Best Teacher Scholarship Fund, and Ewart takes great pride in connecting with the recipients.
“Being engaged is important to me,” she said. “First and foremost, it is about people and building relationships. To me, student success is about equipping students with the skills and tools they need to build a self-sustaining future and make their own mark on the world.”
As an investment advisor, it is fitting that she views education through the same lens. “Education is an investment—a springboard for the future,” she said. “When you invest in your education, you get exponential returns.”
Ewart hopes her latest gift will help advance the arts not only at Temple, but also across the city of Philadelphia. “Temple is an icon for education,” said Ewart. “The arts enrich all our lives and serve as a vital thread in the fabric of our culture. I have tremendous respect for this university and its potential to play a transformative role as a leader in the arts in Philadelphia.”