Distinguished Alumni Event
Each fall, the TEF recognizes Distinguished Alumni with an award presented at an event featuring the distinguished guests. To date, nearly $600,000 has been raised to fund student scholarships and innovative teaching grants.
We invite you to purchase tickets to attend the event, sponsor a table, or make a donation for this meaningful event.
Upcoming Award Dinner
The Temple Education Foundation is proud to announce three honorees for 2020:
Ms. Allison Dickson
Temple High School class of 1998, was diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Muscular Dystrophy when she was 15 months old, but Allison is not one to let physical limitations hold her back. Allison has been an active community volunteer and philanthropist. She created and fully endowed through community fundraising three scholarships including the Allison Dickson Temple Proud Scholarship, which benefits TISD graduating seniors attending Temple College. Affectionately nicknamed “Temple’s Sweetheart,” Allison inspires others daily through her positivity, faith, and determination.
Check out Allison’s Distinguished Alumni video
Mr. Carl Cornelius “C.C.” Sampson
Mr. Carl was a highly influential educator of the black community in Temple during the 1920’s & 1930’s. Mr. Sampson became the principal of the Temple Negro School in 1924. Two hallmarks of his time in Temple were the renaming of the high school to Dunbar High School and the creation of a football team. Over 95 years later, Mr. Sampson’s legacy continues to improve educational experiences for those in our community. A man of high character, Mr. Sampson encouraged everyone he mentored to live by their “deeds, not words.”
Check out Mr Sampson’s Distinguished Alumni video
Mr. Brian Skinner
a 1994 Temple High School graduate, was part of the Wildcat powerhouse basketball team in the early 1990’s that went to the Class 5A regionals two years and to the semifinals once. Brian then went on to play for the Baylor Bears where he still holds the record for the number of blocked shots and earned all-conference recognition three times. Skinner was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1998 NBA draft and played in the NBA for 13 years. Today, Brian is passionate about giving back to his community through the game of basketball.
Check out Mr. Skinner’s Distinguished Alumni video
These individuals truly are people of great character, commitment, and compassion. We are thrilled to celebrate each one of them and thank them for their dedication to the Temple community. They truly exemplify what it means to be a Temple Wildcat!
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Temple Education Foundation has decided to postpone the Distinguished Alumni Event until Spring 2021. Details will be shared as soon as we have them settled.
Past Honorees
Mr. Thomas Baird
In 2019, TEF recognized Thomas Baird. Mr. Baird is a community leader, businessman, and Temple High School Class of 1971.
Dr. Sonjanette Crossley
A 2019 honoree, Dr. Sonjanette Crossley was known for her motto “changing a generation, one person at a time”. Dr. Crossley graduated from Meridith-Dunbar High School in 1968.
Mrs. Dorothy Powell
A 2019 honoree, Mrs. Dororthy Powell served TISD as a teacher and principal from 1959-1995. She is Class of 1949 from Dunbar High School.
Mr. Wendell Williams
In 2019, TEF recognized Wendell Williams. Wendell has a long history of civic and community service in Temple. Mr. Williams is a 1966 graduate of Temple High School.
Dr. Robin Battershell
Dr. Robin Battershell was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni in 2018. Dr. Robin Battershell led TISD as superintendent for ten years (2008-2018). She set the District on a path that changed the look and feel of Temple ISD, the staff, students, families and community as she helped everyone see what is possible when you invest in children. Dr. Battershell exemplifies what it means to lead by example and was named the 2016 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and nominee for the Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards.
Mr. Steve Wright
In 2018, TEF recognized Steve Wright as a Distinguished Alumni. Steve served the community and district as a member of the TISD Board of Trustees for more than a decade. Under his tenure as board president, the district experienced stability in leadership, a rallying of community support and state-wide recognition. Steve is an example to all of what it means to serve a cause greater than yourself and work for our future generations.
Coach McQueen
The 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recognized and honored longtime Temple Wildcat football coach and athletic director Bob McQueen. Coach McQueen is a great role model and example to all TISD students and the community.
Keifer Marshall
The 2016 Distinguished Alumni was Veteran Keifer Marshall, survivor at the famous Battle of Iwo Jima, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and Temple graduate.
Joe Green
In 2015, TEF recognized Joe Green, #75 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970’s and former Dunbar High School student and Temple graduate.
Eric Paslay
The 2014 Distinguished Alumni was Eric Paslay, country western singer and former Temple High School graduate.