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.

Journalism professor passes away

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Chuck Newman, a journalism professor and former staff member at the Philadelphia Inquirer, was found dead in his Glen Mills home on Wednesday by his daughter, Allyson.

Mr. Newman, who was 77, reportedly died suddenly of a heart attack.

In addition to his post as a journalism professor at Temple, Mr. Newman was a long-tenured member of the Inquirer’s staff. He was the Philadelphia Flyers’ beat writer during their Stanley Cup victories in 1974-75 and covered Villanova basketball when the Wildcats won the NCAA National Championship in 1985.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Newman is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons, Scott and Brett, and four grandchildren.

Owls drop MAC game to Ohio

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In their most meaningful game of the season to date, the Owls came up short against Ohio.

Despite a strong performance by redshirt-sophomore quarterback Chris Coyer, the Owls lost to the Bobcats, 35-31.

A win could have put Temple in position to secure a Mid-American Conference Eastern Division title, but the Owls dropped a half game behind Ohio in the MAC East standings with a 3-3 in-conference record.

Coyer took over at quarterback from redshirt-senior Chester Stewart with less than five minutes remaining in the first quarter and played the rest of the game. Coyer passed for 123 yards and three touchdowns and added a team-high 176 yards rushing.

But the defense couldn’t stop Bobcats’ senior running back Donte Harden and the rest of the Ohio offense. Harden rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown to go along with 75 yards receiving and a touchdown.

After four lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Owls got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining and a chance to win the game. But Coyer’s 4th-down pass intended for senior wide receiver fell short and gave Ohio their 35-31 win.

 

 

Settles selected for national senior game

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Senior forward Bridget Settles of the field hockey team was recently selected to compete in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Senior Game on Nov. 19 at the University of Louisville. The team’s co-captain was chosen to play with 38 other top Division I players and is the sixth player from Temple to do so in five years.

Settles is one of two Atlantic Ten Conference players selected for team along with Massachusetts senior goalie Alesha Widdall. The national senior team will face off against the U.S. Women’s National Team and each other.

The Haddon Township, N.J. native has scored 18 goals this season, which ranks her at 18th nationally in goals scored per game with .90 goals.

The third-seeded Owls will play second-seeded UMass at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 at Saint Joseph’s.

Wali “Diop” Rahman visits Temple

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On Tuesday, Nov. 1 mayoral independent candidate Wali “Diop” Rahman visited Temple’s campus giving a speech in a political communications class. Rahman spoke to the audience about his plans if elected as mayor, which include to replace the $1 billion budget of police containment with:

  • Jobs and businesses for working, poor people and the youth;
  • Establish city policy to prevent discrimination in employment against ex-felons;
  • Community controlled police with subpoena power and power to fire dirty cops; and
  • Fully funded, community controlled education and with power to hire and fire faculty, staff and administration.

Rahman noted that he never referred to himself as a politician, but rather a “freedom fighter.” His campaign slogan hails, “Run hard! It’s our city and we want it back now! He hopes to get the support of as many voters as possible for the upcoming election Nov. 8.

Also included on this year’s ballot for Philadelphia mayor is Democrat Micheal Nutter and Republican Karen Brown.

For information on Wali “Diop” Rahman refer to diop2011.com.

Kierra Bussey can be reached at kierrajb@temple.edu.

 

Temple left out of Big East invites

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Big East commissioners travled to Philadelphia over the weekend and extended invites to six schools today.

Temple was not one of them.

The Big East offered invites for football only to Air Force, Navy, and Boise State and all-sports invites to Central Florida, Houston, and Southern Methodist University.

There was some speculation that Temple would receive an all-sports invitation as well. In addition to the meeting taking place in Temple’s home city, Mayor Michael Nutter and former Governer Ed Rendell each sent letters to Big East Commissioner John Marinatto over the weekend pleading Temple’s case.

The Big East conference is undergoing a dynamic transition after several of its premier programs have recently dropped out. Athletic powerhouses Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced their departure for the Atlantic Coast Conference in September, while West Virginia and prospective member TCU will be moving to the Big 12.

The Big East is aiming to reach at least 12 football-playing programs. If the six schools all accept their invites, the Big East will still be one team short of their goal of 12.

In addition to Temple, Memphis is reportedly on the Big East’s radar for the final slot.

Domestic assault Friday morning

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Temple Police were called early Friday, Oct. 28, regarding a domestic assault involving two Temple students near Cecil B. Moore Avenue and Sydenham Street. The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. and was reported by police at 3 a.m.

“We met a female student at 1520 West Cecil B. Moore around 3 a.m. who stated a male she was in a relationship with grabbed her by the arms and shoved her. The officers observed marks on the complainant’s arm where she said she was grabbed,” Charles Leone, deputy director of Campus Safety Services, said in an email.

Both students are 19 years old.

The alleged male offender is a student living at Hardwick residence hall.

Following the report, the officers made contact with the male and brought him to the Philadelphia Police Central Detective Division where he was charged with domestic assault.

According to Campus Safety Services, the victim was vague about exactly where the incident happened, so details surrounding the crime still need to be confirmed.

-Becky Kerner

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.

Government cuts to higher education a problem, duh

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As tuition for higher education continues to sky rocket, higher education may soon become for nobles only.

That could already be true, here at Temple. As we reported last month,

Many students received letters saying their registration would be canceled before receiving their bill from the university due to ISIS’s inability to process financial aid. Hart said that to rectify the problem, the financial aid office would work on Saturdays to answer the approximately 8,000 calls that had flooded phone lines, with some people being transferred from other parts of the office to help.

If the government continues to cut funding for education and student aid, Hooter may become an elitist squawking conservative owl.