The Templum

A Brief History

Funding, situating, designing and constructing the new Templum took 20 years. Fundraising involved a multi-year letter-writing campaign managed by alumni Bob McKelvey ‘59, Arshad Chowdhury ‘98 and Rodney Solomon ‘05. The overall project was overseen by Arshad Chowdhury, who first contacted alumni to begin reconstruction in 1997.
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Designed by New York-based architect Sebastian Quinn, the Templum’s features reflect the society’s traditions, values, and history. Structural elements like stairs and windows appear in sets of 7 inside and outside the building. It is partly underground, fortified to endure storms, heavy rain, earthquakes, and is equipped to prevent fires.
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Construction began in May 2017. The building officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by students and alumni on November 4 of that same year.