December 2021

Seems incredible that 2021 is winding down. The arrival of the holiday season has many of us scrambling for gifts to give to our friends and family members, with this year’s supply chain challenges adding yet another obstacle to the task. That got me thinking. What makes a great gift anyway?

Some quick research provided a variety of answers from something that reflects a shared interest and demonstrates your knowledge of the other person’s passions to something that is tied to memorable moments or life stages to creating an element of surprise with a presentation that provides a wow factor. While these all seem obvious, delivering on them is often a much greater challenge.

There was one idea that stuck out though, and that was Mahtab Narsimhan’s quote that “A good education is the greatest gift you can give yourself or anyone else.”

There are many ambitious and passionate students in Temple’s CEHD, working to provide such a gift to themselves and others. Something about which they are passionate, creates memorable moments, and can frequently delivery a wow factor. One such CEHD student, Nadine Ibrahim, is featured in this alumni newsletter, and we have featured many alumni such as this month’s article about Daniel Mina, EDU ’14, and Justin Hall, CLA ’08, at Dunbar Elementary School working to provide such a gift to themselves and others. Additionally, many other alumni and friends of Temple CEHD have provided their time and fiscal resources to support our students, faculty, and staff in their educational pursuits.

So, to all who are on an educational journey, are teaching and helping deliver education to others, and providing fiscal and emotional support that helps give the gift of education this season and throughout the year, well done! Keep that fire for learning and helping others to grow burning throughout the coming year and beyond.

Happy Holidays,

Ed Stoner, EdD
Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations
College of Education and Human Development
Temple University