Joe, EDU '70, MEd '73 and Fran Darpino, EDU '70 have fond memories of their time at Temple University and in the College of Education.
The Darpinos met after seeing each other in the same classes. They started dating in their junior year of college and got engaged the day they graduated. The Darpinos were married in 1971.
"Temple was very good to us. Two working class kids who took the subway to Temple. Both of us are the first people in our families to have a college education. It truly was a huge blessing for us. It truly is an Acres of Diamonds story for us, said Fran.
"It was my foundation and the variety of classes that I took in the College of Education, public speaking and everything else, was where I actually found my place in the world," Fran added.
More memories included attending the first Earth Day event in 1968 and Joe recalls the 1960's being a politically turbulent time in the United States and there were famous speakers that came to Temple during that time, people like Dick Gregory and Jerry Rubin, just to name a few.
Fran went on to work for the Social Security Administration after graduating from Temple, and later on she started a successful market research company, Frances Darpino Consulting, Inc.
Long time Temple sports supporters and fans, Joe fondly remembers the days when John Chaney was the basketball coach. For many years the couple had tickets 4 rows off the court, and they didn't miss a game.
Avid travelers for both work and pleasure the Darpino's marveled that no matter where they traveled around the world, they would always meet Temple alumni, and that Temple had a stellar academic and professional image. Joe was normally decked out with a Temple hat, shirt, socks, towels or golfing with his favorite Temple golf club covers. All have been gifts from the Owl Club or family Christmas gifts, and Fran was happy to mention she would tell her daughter and son-in-law that Temple gear was always the perfect gift for dad.
Prior to the pandemic, living in Florida, the couple enjoyed their travel to Tampa and Orlando for games. They still enjoy catching the games when they are televised on ESPN +, and are looking forward to attending games in Florida and Philadelphia again, including the next Homecoming game.
In addition to attending sporting events, Joe and Fran enjoyed attending Alumni receptions and black tie affairs when they were on campus. They reminisce about attending black-tie events when they were in their 20's and 30's and seeing noteable Temple graduates.
The Darpino's are also extremely proud of their family. Their daughter is an attorney in New York, while their son-in-law works in technology on Wall Street and they have an 11 year-old son. The Darpinos enjoy visits from them during the holidays and times when they can get away from the City.
When asked what advice they would give to Temple students and alumni, Joe and Fran said that they want to encourage students to give back to Temple University. They feel that Temple graduates should embrace their alma mater. "If every Temple alumni gave $100 - $200 a year to Temple, the university would be a much better place,'' said Joe.
"We have always been loyal to Temple University. We make contributions and we have always been Temple Ambassadors," added Joe.
Joe started off as a high school teacher in the Cheltenham School District and quickly rose through the ranks to be an administrator and he served as president of the teacher's union for several years.
"Fran and I are both very fortunate in that we both had very fortunate careers. Fran had an amazing career that we never expected. I was very lucky that I got in the right school district and that I could spend my life there," said Joe. He added, "If a school like Temple wasn't there, I don't know where I would have gotten those opportunities."