Investiture
President John A. Fry
April 3–4, 2025
Temple University Main Campus
You are invited to celebrate Temple University and the investiture of John A. Fry as our 15th president on Friday, April 4.
Innovation with Impact
Please join us on April 3 and 4 for a series of events showcasing Temple’s global contributions through scholarship, research, creative works and service. From cutting-edge research and community partnerships to the arts and entrepreneurial endeavors, Temple is driving innovation on campus, in Philadelphia and beyond.
These events, along with the investiture ceremony, will be held during the week of Temple Made Days, an annual celebration of Temple pride and spirit.
Please refer to this website regularly as more details will be added. For more information, please email [click-for-email].
We look forward to welcoming you to our celebration and to Temple University. You can find information about each of our event speakers and details to help you plan your time at Main Campus.
Thursday, April 3
1–2:30 P.M.
Innovations in Research and Teaching
The Future of AI in Education and Research
How is artificial intelligence (AI) transforming the way we teach, learn, and conduct research? This panel brings together Temple experts to explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents in academia—from personalized learning and innovative teaching strategies to ethical concerns and academic integrity. Join the conversation on how we can harness AI’s potential while ensuring equitable and responsible use in education and scholarship.
Time
1–1:40 p.m.
Location
Alter Hall, 7th Floor
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Panelists
Richard Souvenir (moderator), Office of the Provost
Stephanie Fiore, Center for the Advancement of Teaching
Abby Guido, Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Bruce W. Hardy, Klein College of Media and Communication
Subodha Kumar, Fox School of Business
Slobodan Vucetic, College of Science and Technology
Working Together: Interdisciplinary Efforts to Promote Community Health
Temple University community members work every day to improve the health of people living in North Philadelphia through prevention, treatment, and community care. This panel will highlight real-world examples of how Temple’s healthcare professionals collaborate to address urgent health challenges—providing essential services, tackling chronic conditions, and ensuring patients can return to their daily lives as quickly as possible.
Time
1–1:40 p.m.
Location
1810 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Panelists
Jennifer Ibrahim (moderator), College of Public Health
Mary Beth Hays, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Amid Ismail, Kornberg School of Dentistry
Kenny Oh, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Mark Salzer, College of Public Health
Frank Schmieder, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Tina Tran, School of Pharmacy
Susan VonNessen-Scanlin, College of Public Health
Huanmei Wu, College of Public Health
Women in Sports Media: 40 Years of Progress and Challenges
Four decades after Claire Smith, a trailblazing Temple Journalism faculty member, was barred from a Major League Baseball locker room, women in sports media continue to break barriers. But how much has really changed? This panel brings together past and present sports journalists to share their experiences, challenges, and victories in a field still dominated by men. Join the conversation on the progress made—and the work still ahead.
Time
1:50–2:30 p.m.
Location
1810 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Panelists
David Boardman (moderator), Klein College of Media and Communication
Lauren Bullock, Klein College of Media and Communication
Isabella DiAmore, Klein College of Media and Communication
Melissa Ludtke, journalist and author
Breland Moore, Klein College of Media and Communication
Claire Smith, Klein College of Media and Communication
Elizabeth Taylor, School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
The Road to Invention: How Ideas Become Companies
What does it take to turn a breakthrough idea into a real-world impact? This panel explores the journey of innovation—from academic research and discovery to patenting, company formation and commercialization. Each inventor will share their unique path, highlighting challenges, successes, and the lessons learned along the way. The discussion will conclude with a look at the broader impact of their work and how their inventions are shaping the future.
Time
1:50–2:30 p.m.
Location
Alter Hall, 7th Floor
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Panelists
Josh Gladden (moderator), Vice President for Research
Riyaz Bashir, Katz School of Medicine
co-inventor of the devices commercialized by Thrombolex
Christian Schafmeister, College of Science and Technology
lead inventor of the technology portfolio licensed to ThirdLaw
Marvin Woodall, CEO, Thrombolex
W. Geoffrey Wright, College of Public Health
inventor of the device commercialized by UprightVR
3–4:30 P.M.
Arts and Innovation Showcase
Cybersounds Concert
Cybersounds is Boyer’s long-running concert series showcasing innovative works that integrate music and technology. The series presents cutting-edge music from around Philadelphia, the nation, and the world, including by Temple students and faculty.
Temple’s electronic music ensemble, BEEP (Boyer College Electroacoustic Ensemble Project) specializes in electroacoustic music, blending styles from electronic dance music to abstract classical compositions. BEEP's primary mission is to forge new paths in music and technology, bringing together individuals with diverse talents to explore novel sound creation possibilities. The ensemble has been featured at ICMC in Daegu, South Korea, SEAMUS, the NY Electronic Arts Festival, and headlined the Andy Warhol exhibition in Beijing’s M WOODS contemporary art gallery. BEEP continues to push the boundaries of music technology through global performances and innovation.
Time
3–3:30 p.m.
Location
Rock Hall
1715 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Pre-show
- Interactive multimedia seminar installations
- Sub Matters: composed and designed by Michelle Temple, directed by Adam Vidiksis
Concert Performance
BEEP: The Boyer College Electroacoustic Ensemble Project
- NatureBending—Adam Vidiksis and BEEP
- Friends (On The Internet)—Sophia Eisenbach aka Sivee
- Connected—Tayler Butenschoen and Merritt Hyman
Post-show
DJ set by Ethan Burns
Performers and Artists
Directed by Adam Vidiksis
Nush Agarwal, Abby Almas, Nadia Bodnari, Ethan Burns, Tayler Butenschoen, John De Petris, Sophia Eisenbach aka Sivee, Negar Ghasemi, Aditya Gokhe, Srinath Govindarajula, Jack Heroux-Skirbst, Merritt Hyman, Yara Maychyk, Michael Proulx, Brannon Rovins, Kyle Sperry and Siddhant Tripath
Interactive Multimedia Seminar Artists
Taught by Sam Wells
Nush Agarwal, Abby Almas, John De Petris, Negar Ghasemi, Aditya Gokhe, Jack Heroux-Skirbst, Michael Proulx, Brannon Rovins, Derek Schwartz, Kyle Sperry and Siddhant Tripathi
Adam Vidiksis, Boyer College of Music and Dance
Michelle Temple, Boyer College of Music and Dance
Sam Wells, Boyer College of Music and Dance
Community Poetics and Ethno-photography
Senior Associate Dean and Professor Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon and Senior University Photographer Joseph V. Labolito come together to present stories about Philadelphia neighborhoods through poetic ethnography and Philadelphia Collections photographs
Time
3:30–4 p.m.
Location
MBA Commons
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Participants
Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, School of Theater, Film and Media Arts and Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts
Joseph V. Labolito, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Artscape
Stroll through the beautiful gallery spaces of the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, including Temple Contemporary and the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery. Explore works by graduating MFA students Mollie Hansen, Maedeh Mehdipour, Ally Messer and Madeline Rodriguez, then wander through the hallways to discover more exhibitions.
Experience our Metal, Jewelry, CAD/CAM (MJCC) Thesis Exhibitions, Visual Studies Thesis Exhibitions, and BFA Thesis exhibitions in the Stella Elkins Tyler Gallery featuring work by Mahalia Trudeau-Williams, Madi Guido and Rae Bieda.
Don’t miss the Tyler courtyard, where you'll find a newly planted tree by Sam Van Aken, the 2025–2026 Jack Wolgin Visiting Artist. Van Aken, renowned for his Tree of 40 Fruit—a multi-grafted tree producing forty different heirloom and antique fruit varieties—seamlessly blends art, agriculture and sustainability in his groundbreaking work.
Time
4–4:30 p.m.
Location
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
2001 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
4–6:30 P.M.
Student Event: Bingo
Time
4–5 p.m.
Location
Howard Gittis Student Center
1755 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Jazz Café
Time
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Location
Temple Performing Arts Center (Main Lobby and Balcony Area)
1837 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Friday, April 4
9:30–11:45 A.M.
Temple Talks
From medical breakthroughs to artistic innovations, from technological advances to social change—Temple Talks showcase the remarkable breadth of work happening at the university. Each talk is designed to inspire, challenge and spark new conversations.
Each carefully curated six-minute talk delivers maximum impact in minimum time. Our incredible faculty members cut straight to the heart of their work, sharing fascinating discoveries and innovations that matter to our world.
Time
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Location
Rock Hall Auditorium
1715 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Panelists
Rethinking Global Migration Law
Jaya Ramji-Nogales, Beasley School of Law
How to Think Like a Brain
Iyad Obeid, College of Engineering
Why Agency Matters in Education
Maia Cucchiara, College of Education and Human Development
Innovations in Deep-Sea Research to Address Human Impacts
Erik Cordes, College of Science and Technology
Why Media for Children Matters the Most
Sherri Hope Culver, Klein College of Media and Communication
Clean Slate: Opportunities and Burdens in Criminal Record Relief
Nyron Crawford, College of Liberal Arts
Acres of Diamonds: Community-Based Inspiration for Innovation
Zoe Maher, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Solving the Crisis of Systemic Attention
Ravi Kudesia, Fox School of Business
Reimagining the Power Structure in Collaborative Art Spaces
Amina Robinson, School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Keynote Conversation with President John Fry and Ellen Cooper
Join us for an engaging discussion featuring John Fry, President of Temple University, and Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group. As a distinguished Temple alumna and trailblazing leader in the financial industry, Cooper will share insights on leadership, innovation and the evolving financial landscape. Don't miss this opportunity for a thought-provoking conversation on shaping the future of business and education.
Time
11–11:45 a.m.
Location
Rock Hall Auditorium
1715 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
2–3:30 PM
Investiture Ceremony
The investiture ceremony will honor the university’s legacy, mission and community, embrace our shared vision for the future, and install John A. Fry as Temple’s 15th president.
This event will be livestreamed.
Time
2–3:30 p.m.
Location
Temple Performing Arts Center
1837 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122