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Bendu Chowoe was a Temple sophomore studying psychology and serving in the U.S. Air Force in 2022 when, in the midst of her college journey, she received a call from the military with life-changing news: She would be deployed to Saudi Arabia for her first assignment.
“Getting pulled away for an entire semester was difficult,” she said.
She’s not alone. There are 10 current Temple students who are deployed overseas, defending the country. However, Chowoe remembered the comfort she felt when she received a care package from Temple’s Office of Military and Veteran Services.
“It was nice that they would package something that would reach halfway across the world. It meant a lot and shows how much the university supports our active military Owls,” she said.
That’s why she was happy to support Operation: Owls Supporting Owls, a donation drive launched in honor of Veterans Day and organized by Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS), Temple Veterans Association, the Office of Military and Veteran Services, and Temple ROTC.
“Seeing so many university partners come together to support those of us who have served feels like a full-circle moment,” Chowoe said.
On Monday, a human chain of Temple students, police officers and veterans came together to pack care packages for several students who are deployed overseas.
“We really hope that these packages, when they’re received by our active-duty students, bring them a little warmth and remind them that we’re praying for them, thinking of them, thankful for them and keeping them in our hearts,” said Jennifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety.
Kumail Hassan, a management information systems senior student and member of the Temple Veterans Association, said the monthlong drive encouraged the Temple community to donate essential items such as hygiene products, nonperishable food, warm clothing and handwritten notes of appreciation.
“When he served in the Army, receiving a care package made my entire week. It was really uplifting and a morale booster,” Hassan said.
The donation drive was the idea of Len Clark, director of the Office of Emergency Management, who is also a veteran who served in the Coast Guard.
“It was a meaningful collaboration with others who have served our country across generations, as well as those preparing to serve,” Clark said. “There are veterans all over campus: Everyone from students to faculty and many of our Public Safety staff have served, so it’s rewarding to give back.”
Temple University Police Captain Enoch McCoy served in the Army, having been deployed to Iraq in 2003, and said while his active duty stopped, he has always continued to serve others.
“The service and commitment and dedication that we provide to the Temple and North Philadelphia communities is the same dedication and commitment that military personnel provide to God, family and our country,” McCoy said.
Kristie Furiosi, assistant director of military and veteran services, said Temple has about 1,500 military-connected students, faculty and staff, including over 300 veterans.
“This donation drive was a moment for us all to come together in recognition and gratitude,” she said.
As for Chowoe, she proudly graduated from Temple in May 2024 with a psychology degree and is now working to earn her M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis.
“Temple is a great place to learn if you’re in the military because it’s a supportive community,” she said. “Being a veteran and pursuing to become a two-time Owl is a great feeling.”