Peter J. Liacouras
Encyclopedia
Peter James Liacouras is an American
academic.
from 1981-2000. He is also a former Dean of the Temple University School of Law (1972-1982). He has been chancellor of Temple University since his retirement in 2000. During his presidency, the University developed into a Carnegie I classification institution, expansion of academic programs globally, growth in undergraduate enrollment and considerable infrastructure development.
Liacouras' tenure was marked by substantial focus on urban economic and social development. Seeking to capitalize on the University's location in north central Philadelphia, Liacouras sought to market a vision of Temple as the quintessential working class
university that would also increasingly appeal to working class suburbanites from the metropolitan Philadelphia area and South Jersey
. He employed creative marketing strategies -- notably, a marketing campaign with a tagline of "we could have gone anywhere - we chose Temple", and featuring Philadelphia native Bill Cosby
(later elected to the Temple Board of Trustees).
vision for Temple University in a concept he called "Temple Town". He invested considerable effort into redeveloping the University's "main campus" -- with the development of on-campus housing at both sides of the campus, planning for new classroom and laboratory facilities to replace antiquated facilities, and perhaps most notably, the development of an arena on campus on land adjacent to the campus sold to the University by the car dealership that occupied the space.
The arena, originally named "The Apollo of Temple" (a pun on phrase The Temple of Apollo), was later renamed "The Liacouras Center", in his honor, though it is still known as "The Apollo" in common parlance. The arena houses the intercollegiate basketball teams of the University and other athletics facilities, but a main focal point for its development was the desire of Liacouras to have academic convocations on-campus.
The planning vision to inculcate local businesses along a stretch of the inner main campus was not successfully achieved, however, until after his tenure. His planning vision failed to convince local planning leaders to move the local regional rail station on the far eastern side of the campus in closer to the campus (away from the low-income housing that one walks by on the way to the campus). The "Temple Town" concept was sometimes criticized as an effort to insulate the University's main campus from the surrounding north central Philadelphia neighborhood, and his efforts to promote an esprit de corps, having painted messages on wood structures covering decrepit infrastructure adjacent to the University's Broad Street gateway were sometimes ridiculed.
His planning vision, however, extended to the development of academic programs globally, with programs now located in London, Rome, Tel Aviv, Ghana, Seoul, and Beijing.
Finally, his planning vision extended to the development of a new Temple University Hospital facility on the University's Hospital campus (serving Allied Health Professions, Medicine, Podiatric Medicine,and Dentistry programs), and expansion of the Hospital as a business with satellite locations around the metropolitan Philadelphia area.
However, Liacouras was less successful in intercollegiate football. He moved the University's football team to the NCAA Division I level, meeting with only tepid success. He was pilloried for making comments about wanting to see Temple's football team in the Sugar Bowl
by the mid-1980s (this was before the current Bowl Championship Series concept).
The main success of the football team came under coach Bruce Arians, whom Liacouras hired from Bear Bryant's staff at the University of Alabama (now a coach in the NFL), in the early to mid-1980s. Minor success was had for a year under coach Jerry Berndt (hired from the University of Pennsylvania). After the 1990s, the football team was considered non-competitive, and eventually the University was kicked out of the Big East football conference. Critics assailed Liacouras' for his support of football as embarrassing to the University (for the lack of consistent success on the field, even if some players wound up as successful NFL players) and a drain on University resources that could be invested into academic facilities.
leaders. His administration frequently included people in executive and staff positions that drew from local and state political circles. However, he did not enjoy a good relationship with the district city councilman that represented the Temple main campus area, John F. Street
(later elected Mayor of Philadelphia), and Street held up development of the arena until concessions were made for local business incubation. Liacouras unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in 1980.
He was succeeded in 2000 by David Adamany, the former President of Wayne State University
. Liacouras is a member of the Academy of Athens
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic.
Career
Liacouras was the President of Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
from 1981-2000. He is also a former Dean of the Temple University School of Law (1972-1982). He has been chancellor of Temple University since his retirement in 2000. During his presidency, the University developed into a Carnegie I classification institution, expansion of academic programs globally, growth in undergraduate enrollment and considerable infrastructure development.
Liacouras' tenure was marked by substantial focus on urban economic and social development. Seeking to capitalize on the University's location in north central Philadelphia, Liacouras sought to market a vision of Temple as the quintessential working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
university that would also increasingly appeal to working class suburbanites from the metropolitan Philadelphia area and South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
. He employed creative marketing strategies -- notably, a marketing campaign with a tagline of "we could have gone anywhere - we chose Temple", and featuring Philadelphia native Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
(later elected to the Temple Board of Trustees).
Temple Town
Liacouras also sought to impart an urban planningUrban planning
Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
vision for Temple University in a concept he called "Temple Town". He invested considerable effort into redeveloping the University's "main campus" -- with the development of on-campus housing at both sides of the campus, planning for new classroom and laboratory facilities to replace antiquated facilities, and perhaps most notably, the development of an arena on campus on land adjacent to the campus sold to the University by the car dealership that occupied the space.
The arena, originally named "The Apollo of Temple" (a pun on phrase The Temple of Apollo), was later renamed "The Liacouras Center", in his honor, though it is still known as "The Apollo" in common parlance. The arena houses the intercollegiate basketball teams of the University and other athletics facilities, but a main focal point for its development was the desire of Liacouras to have academic convocations on-campus.
The planning vision to inculcate local businesses along a stretch of the inner main campus was not successfully achieved, however, until after his tenure. His planning vision failed to convince local planning leaders to move the local regional rail station on the far eastern side of the campus in closer to the campus (away from the low-income housing that one walks by on the way to the campus). The "Temple Town" concept was sometimes criticized as an effort to insulate the University's main campus from the surrounding north central Philadelphia neighborhood, and his efforts to promote an esprit de corps, having painted messages on wood structures covering decrepit infrastructure adjacent to the University's Broad Street gateway were sometimes ridiculed.
His planning vision, however, extended to the development of academic programs globally, with programs now located in London, Rome, Tel Aviv, Ghana, Seoul, and Beijing.
Finally, his planning vision extended to the development of a new Temple University Hospital facility on the University's Hospital campus (serving Allied Health Professions, Medicine, Podiatric Medicine,and Dentistry programs), and expansion of the Hospital as a business with satellite locations around the metropolitan Philadelphia area.
Labor relations
Liacouras' tenure was marked by contentious relationships with the University's dozen labor unions. In an unpredecented move, the faculty union struck twice in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, with an AAUP censure placed against the institution. Other labour unions representing various levels of staff also engaged in strike actions during his tenure.Intercollegiate athletics
Liacouras was notable for his strong support of intercollegiate athletics. He saw this as part of his strongly held beliefs in urban social and economic development, and a vehicle for successful marketing of the University. His hiring of John Chaney as head basketball coach -- an outspoken critic of the NCAA and advocate for access to higher education -- led to many NCAA Tournament appearances for the Temple men's basketball team, including several appearances in the "Elite 8" (notably losing to the Duke Blue Devils in 1999).However, Liacouras was less successful in intercollegiate football. He moved the University's football team to the NCAA Division I level, meeting with only tepid success. He was pilloried for making comments about wanting to see Temple's football team in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
by the mid-1980s (this was before the current Bowl Championship Series concept).
The main success of the football team came under coach Bruce Arians, whom Liacouras hired from Bear Bryant's staff at the University of Alabama (now a coach in the NFL), in the early to mid-1980s. Minor success was had for a year under coach Jerry Berndt (hired from the University of Pennsylvania). After the 1990s, the football team was considered non-competitive, and eventually the University was kicked out of the Big East football conference. Critics assailed Liacouras' for his support of football as embarrassing to the University (for the lack of consistent success on the field, even if some players wound up as successful NFL players) and a drain on University resources that could be invested into academic facilities.
Political activity
Liacouras was active in local Philadelphia politics, typically supportive of local Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
leaders. His administration frequently included people in executive and staff positions that drew from local and state political circles. However, he did not enjoy a good relationship with the district city councilman that represented the Temple main campus area, John F. Street
John F. Street
John Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
(later elected Mayor of Philadelphia), and Street held up development of the arena until concessions were made for local business incubation. Liacouras unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in 1980.
He was succeeded in 2000 by David Adamany, the former President of Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
. Liacouras is a member of the Academy of Athens
Academy of Athens (modern)
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education...
.