Author Archives: Angelo Fichera

Could Hart be replaced by…Rendell?

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Ed Rendell (right) at a rally in McGonigle Hall in 2008, alongside Hillary Clinton and Michael Nutter. CHRIS WINK TTN FILE PHOTO

No–he’s not running in the Nov. 8 municipal elections, but could former Governor Ed Rendell be campaigning to…come to Temple?

While Rendell filling in the shoes of President Ann Weaver Hart, who’s stepping down as of June 30, 2012, may seem like a stretch for some, a few people don’t seem to think so.

In Philadelphia Magazine’s blog, the Philly Post, Paul Davies wrote he believed Rendell to be the perfect fit for Hart’s successor.

In short, Davies wrote that Rendell is “gettable,” and would have no struggle schmoozing local politicians and business executives to accomplish what the university needs.

“Best of all, my guy is a hall of famer when it comes to fundraising. Business execs throw money at him like he’s a stripper at Scores,” Davies wrote.

What’s more, a Twitter account, @ED4TU, and a Facebook page supporting Rendell’s coming to Temple recently cropped up, too.

Oh, and we can’t ignore the fact that Rendell, along with Mayor Michael Nutter, recently wrote a letter to the Big East on Temple’s behalf.

Are all of these things purely coincidental? Or could the former governor be interested in taking over the nest?

We’re not sure–seeing as the Temple just revealed its Presidential Search Committee (and its professional search party, Witt/Keiffer) yesterday–but what do you think? Sound off in the comment section.

Presidential Search Committee revealed

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More than a month and a half after President Ann Weaver Hart announced her resignation, the university announced its Presidential Search Committee, today.

Twelve members of the Board of Trustees, two faculty members and one student representative will sit on the committee.

The 12 committee members include: Chairman Patrick J. O’Connor, Theodore Z. Davis, Ronald R. Donatucci, Richard J. Fox, Lewis F. Gould, Jr., Lewis Katz, Susanna E. Lachs, Theodore A. McKee, Mitchell L. Morgan, Bret S. Perkins, Daniel H. Polett and Jane Scaccetti.

President of Faculty Senate, Paul S. LaFollette, Jr. and Faculty Member Luis T. Gonzalez del Valle will represent the faculty in the search.

Temple Student Government Student Body President Colin Saltry is the student on the committee.

The university has hired Witt/Kieffer, a firm specializing in nonprofit and education executive searches, to conduct the search. The firm was also used to hire Larry Kaiser, now CEO of the Temple University Health System.

Hart will officially leave the position June 30, 2012.

Architecture building taking shape

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The university’s $10 million architecture building is taking shape in the courtyard near the Tyler School of Art.

The building, funded through the commonwealth, is expected to be complete in September 2012.

Studio space needed for the architecture program will be provided in the new building.

The project is one of many outlined in Temple’s 20/20 framework plan.

Retired Temple vice president attacked in Fairmount Park

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Retired vice president for university relations and communications professor Jim Shea, 84, was attacked in Fairmount Park Monday, 6abc.com reports.

Shea was reportedly walking along the Forbidden Drive area when four young men approached him. Two of the young adults attacked him with rocks and kicked him, taking him to the ground.

The other two watched and laughed, Shea told 6abc.com. Three of the attackers were reportedly where LaSalle sweatshirts, but Shea said he didn’t believe they were students at the university.

Shea said the young men did not rob him of any belongings. The former Temple employee was left with bruises along his face and body.

“You do lose your dignity. There’s nothing you can do, absolutely nothing you can do,” Shea said to 6abc.com.

College Republicans plan rally against Occupy Philadelphia

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Temple College Republicans are planning to protest in front of Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Pa.) Philadelphia district office on Thursday, Oct. 13, against the Occupy Philadelphia demonstration taking place at City Hall, according to a Facebook event created by the group.

The Occupy protestors are reportedly protesting for their cause at the same location on Thursday.

“We cannot let them try to show up the Senator. He is doing the people’s business in Washington,” reads a post by the TCR Facebook page.

Another post indicates that if Occupy protestors do not rally in front of the senator’s office, that the rally against Occupy will move to City Hall.

“It’s time to let the media know that some people out there do support Capitalism,” the event page reads, presumably in response to some Occupy participants’ outward decrying of Capitalism.

The TCR plans to begin the rally at Toomey’s office near 17th and Market Streets at 3:30 p.m.

The Occupy demonstration, one of many that have popped up across the country in response to Occupy Wall Street, is a broad, inclusive rally against economic inequalities and wealth disparities.

Where do you stand on the issue? Do you support the rally against the rally? Sound off in the comment section.

Cleared of murder conviction, Knox was represented by Temple alumnus

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The captivating saga of Amanda Knox, a 24-year-old American who was convicted, and now cleared of, killing her roommate in Italy, came full circle when she returned home to Seattle, Wash. just minutes ago.

Knox was convicted of the Nov. 1, 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. Knox, along with her boyfriend, Raffeale Sollecito, was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Kercher was a 21-year-old student from London.

However, a new investigation put the small amounts of DNA used as forensic evidence to doubt. The conviction was based heavily on circumstantial evidence.

Knox’s conviction was overturned yesterday, Oct. 3 by an Italian appeals court. Still, she was found guilty of slandering a man in Italy who she said was responsible for Kercher’s death. She was sentenced to three years (time already served) and a $29,000 fine.

In a separate trial, 24-year-old Rudy Guede was also convicted of the murder. Although his sentence was shortened, to 16 years, his conviction has not been overturned.

One of Knox’s lawyers, Theodore Simon, is a Philadelphia-based attorney and 1974 alumnus of Temple’s law school.

“Meredith was Amanda’s friend,” Simon said at a press conference held when Knox and her family landed in the United States.

Knox spoke briefly, thanking her supporters and defenders and stating plans to spend time with family.

New student-housing project secures funding

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While some Philadelphians think it’s time for students to get outta town (or the neighborhoods near Main Campus, at least) others think it’s time to develop new housing for those good-for-nothin’ kids.

A new $20 million student-housing project at 10th and Diamond streets has secured financing to break ground in October, a report by the Philadelphia Business Journal states.

The new project by Orens Brothers Real Estate Inc., Mosaic Development Partners and Metamorphosis Community Development Corp. will have 92 units and 12,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, according to PBJ.

The project, near the Edberg-Olson football practice field, is expected to complete work next year.

Troy Davis executed after Supreme Court denies stay

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Troy Davis, a 42-year-old man convicted of murdering a police officer in Savannah, Ga. was executed by lethal injection at 11:08 p.m. tonight.

In 1991, Davis was convicted of the 1989 murder of officer Mark MacPhail.

Davis escaped three executions before, but was denied clemency shortly before his execution.

On Friday, Sept. 15, students from Temple rallied at the Bell Tower against the execution.

Many prominent organizations and public figures have claimed Davis’ innocence throughout the past 20 years, rallying in his defense until the end.

Davis reportedly maintained his innocence tonight, telling MacPhail’s family members that were present at the execution that he did not commit the crime he was convicted of.

Suspect arrested in early morning shooting

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After a student was shot early this morning, Temple and Philadelphia police have arrested a suspect, according to a TU Advisory.

The advisory states the suspect in the shooting of an unnamed student near 12th and Dauphin streets at approximately 2 a.m. has been arrested and charged.

The student, injured, is reportedly recovering at Temple University Hospital.

The Temple News will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.