by Tanya DeMello MPA ’08

When John Templeton was honored with Princeton University’s Martin Luther King Journey Award in January 2008, none of the students at the Woodrow Wilson School were surprised. John is a beloved staff member, a playful and open friend to all and a mentor to so many students. John received the “Journey Award for Lifetime Service,” which recognizes his dedicated efforts to attain Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for the United States of America. John has never waivered in his commitment to encourage and create diversity in all areas of study, work, and community, and to actively work against barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunity.

In fact, the staff and the students at the Woodrow Wilson School were unanimous in putting his name forward for this award because John directly changed the lives of so many. This article is one of thanks from us, the students, because we are forever grateful for what he has done, not only in changing policies and programs at all levels, but for all the little things that cannot be included in a nomination. In truth, it is all of his work behind the scenes, after hours and one-on-one, that is indelibly engraved in our memories of our time at the Woodrow Wilson School.

John Templeton is the Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions at the Woodrow Wilson School. He has been working in admissions for over 20 years at Princeton and has always made it his top priority to increase access to higher education for groups that have been historically underrepresented. He directed Princeton’s minority recruitment program from 1990 to 1994 and then he expanded that program by involving the student body itself—he recruited Princeton students to go out and talk to students at diverse high schools and encourage them to consider Princeton as an option.

He has always sought to diversify the student body as much as possible in terms of race, religion, gender, background, region and sexual orientation so that the students represent the wider American community. John believes that all students benefit from a learning environment that is filled with contrasting paradigms and experiences, and his commitment does not end once students are admitted. He is an integral part of the school and most students will tell you that John is one of the last people they hug before they pass through the gates at graduation.

John is a mentor to fellow colleagues and to countless students, whom he always welcomes into his office, and often invites to his home. John has opened a forum for students of color to have a voice at Princeton, not only in their classes but also in the administration. What has always amazed me most about John is that he goes out of his way to not only make sure students are thriving academically, but that they also feel welcome at the Woodrow Wilson School, that they belong here, and that they are essential members of the community. Thanks to John, the percentage of Woodrow Wilson alumni of color has risen by 81 percent over the previous decade.

And John has used this wealth of alumni to further increase mentorship opportunities for students. He has been an avid supporter and participant of the school’s annual Students and Alumni of Color Symposium, which connects current students to a vast alumni network. The Symposium is an intense weekend of discussion where participants examine issues of race and class and share professional and personal experiences while proposing solutions to advance the debate. John wants us out there, talking to each other, working together and he challenges us to use our leadership abilities to strengthen government and non-profit organizations in the U.S. and throughout the world.

John gives students access to Princeton, and opens career doors that were once unimaginable; accompanying them on their academic journeys and later, in their professional careers. When collecting student testimonies about John, I was touched by how many students insisted on giving their time and sharing their stories with the awards committee. And then something happened that shocked me.

A few close friends who had recently graduated were sitting together with just a few words about John scribbled on a page, and nothing more. They were sitting in silence, motionless, deep in thought—but unable to write. I knew how much these students cared about John, so I could not understand their hesitation. When I asked them why they weren’t writing away furiously, they looked at me for a moment.

Then one of them said softly, with tears in his eyes, “I don’t know how to write what John Templeton means to me... it’s so deep and well, it’s everything. The thing is, if it were not for John Templeton, I would not be here today. So how do I write that? How do you encapsulate thanking someone for changing your life to an admissions committee that could not possibly ever realize just how much he meant to you?...”

“Write that,” I told him. “Write exactly what you just said to me.”

And one by one, they all began sharing similar emotions—how John Templeton was the reason that they were at Princeton. That he opened a door for them and he had no idea of just how much he had done. One wrote, “I will spend my life trying to honor the privilege I have been given at the Woodrow Wilson School by increasing access to opportunity for others and striving to decrease barriers. In doing this, I will honor John Templeton’s work.”

It was a powerful moment for me to watch this group of students and alumni, sharing tears and sharing stories as they wrote about John. I wish he could have been there to witness that moment—the testament to his commitment to us. Now, our work and contributions to society will represent John Templeton’s faith in our potential and gifts.

The official press release announcing the recipients of the 2008 MLK Day Journey award can be found on the Princeton University website.