At Templeton, our community life is just as important as our academic classes. Why? Because we are seeking to be formed as whole persons—intellectually, morally, aesthetically, spiritually, physically, practically, and socially. And that kind of holistic formation only happens through embodied social practices extended over time. Therefore, our community regularly gathers to worship, celebrate, learn, rest, and play together through the kinds of events described below. 

Arts & Culture Series

The Benoliel Art and Culture Series was established by our patron, Peter Benoliel. Each year, Templeton students experience world-class theatre, opera, ballet, orchestra, and modern dance performances that complement the Templeton curricula.

ADK Camping Trip

The beauty of our model of education begins not in the classroom but in the wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains, on the lake, by the fire, over the dishes, under the stars.

Weekly Honors Forum

Every Friday at 3:00pm, Templeton students across all four cohorts gather for presentations and conversations on a wide range of topics, organized year-by-year around four key themes: Christian Traditions, Everyday Ethics, Vocation, and Human Flourishing. Forums include panel discussions with Templeton faculty, outside guest speakers, Eastern University professors, and small group conversations. They are stimulating. They are engaging. They are provocative. And each one contributes to our pursuit of well-lived ordinary lives. 

Matriculation

Every cohort is officially matriculated into the Honors College at the beginning of their first semester. In this ceremony, each new student signs his or her name in our Matriculation Book. This book holds the names of every Templeton student since our first cohort in 1999. At this formal ceremony the new cohort also receives a book chosen by the previous year's graduating cohort, signaling the enduring community of The Templeton Honors College. 

Lessons and Carols

Every December, the entire Templeton Honors College, along with nearby alumni, gathers to celebrate the beginning of Advent with a traditional Lessons & Carols service at nearby St. Martin's Church. The Scriptural lessons are read by faculty, the carols are sung by all, and special numbers are provided by the freshmen Templeton Chorale. The evening concludes with a festive Christmas party, Templeton gingerbread house competition, annual reading of The Grinch by Dr. Cary, and Christmas carols in Eastern's gorgeous Baird Library reading room. It's an evening not to be missed. 

Winter Retreat

On a weekend in February, Templeton students retreat together without faculty as a respite from their studies. They gather at a nearby camp to hike, roast s'mores, play board games, practice shared leisure, and sometimes enjoy a rather competitive inter-cohort game of dodgeball.

Freshman Banquet

At the end of their first year, the freshman cohort gathers with Templeton faculty to remember, celebrate, and feast in honor of their completion of year one in the Honors College. At this event, held at the inspiring Merion Tribute House, each first-year student shares a brief reflection on their year behind and what the first year in Templeton has revealed to them about themselves, other people, God, and the good world we inhabit together. 

Senior Banquet

At the close of their final year, the graduating Templeton cohort gathers with faculty for a memorable banquet at beautiful Wyebrook Farm. We feast, we remember, and we honor and celebrate their four years with us, culminating in a time when each graduating student reflects on a passage from a Templeton reading that was especially significant for their formation. It is a rich and poignant evening that concludes our academic year. 

 

Study Abroad

The majority of Templeton students complete a semester of study at approved universities and programs around the globe, taking courses both within and outside their major areas of focus. Our students regularly study abroad in places like the University of Oxford in England and St. Andrew's University in Scotland, as well as colleges and universities in Spain, Jordan, Denmark, New Zealand, and Italy, and in wonderful programs like The Oregon Extension.

Student Council

The Student Council is composed of five regularly elected Templeton students who manage certain vital aspects of collegiate life and contributing to the ongoing conversation about the future life of the college. 

Community Gatherings

Templeton Honors Colleges students have many opportunities to join together as a community to form deep relationships that will last far past the college years. 

Clubs & Organizations

Here you can find just a small sampling of the wide variety of Eastern University’s clubs and organizations of which Templeton students are members and leaders.

Trips & Events

Students tend to find a sense of community both inside the classroom and out, both in study and in leisure.

  • In the Summer Scholars Program, students not only study together but take trips to Philadelphia and other surrounding sites together.
  • In the Undergraduate Honors College, students take classes with peers from their cohorts and intermingle with students from other cohorts at weekly Honors Forum lectures, but they also attend local arts events through the Benoliel Arts and Culture Series, go on retreats together, join and start clubs together, and get involved in campus life in a variety of ways.
  • Graduate students take field trips to a number of local attractions together, including local art museums and rare book libraries. 

Learn More

Contact the Templeton Admissions Office to learn more about Life & Community at Templeton!

Phone: 610-225-5022
Email: thc@eastern.edu