Former alumnus and eighth president of Sam Houston State University, Dr. Arleigh Templeton died Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. Passing away at the age of 90, Templeton had many accomplishments, as he was a great educational leader.
Over his 30 year educational career, Templeton held various leadership positions such as: League City School District Superintendent, El Campo School District Superintendent, Alvin Public School District Superintendent, Alvin Junior College President, as well as three university presidencies for Sam Houston State University, University of Texas-San Antonio and University of Texas-El Paso.
Known as a dedicated-to-the-job type person, former journalism professor, Ferol Robinson remembers Templeton and the memories they had together through out Templeton’s six-year term as president at SHSU.
“I first met Templeton well before he became president,” Robinson said. “I met him when he was president of the Alumni Association.”
While Robinson remembers Templeton as being a nice dresser and always dressing for the occasion, Robinson says he was a very demanding president, but he says Templeton was very good at what he did and he made many accomplishments while he was at SHSU.
“He was a no-nonsense type person. His main interest was in academics,” Robinson said. “He didn’t joke around; he always got straight to business.”
During his six-year term as president, Templeton saw Sam Houston State-Teachers College turn into a state college and then into a university. Not only had major changes been made to the schools’ name, but Templeton also helped get the Criminal Justice Center off to a good start.
“He did a lot of work on the Criminal Justice Center,” said Robinson. “SHSU got a lot of national recognition and prestige through the CJ center.”
When his term was over, Templeton left SHSU and became the President of University of Texas- San Antonio.
“It is very unusual for a person to move from president from a smaller university such as Sam Houston to a much larger university such as University of Texas-San Antonio,” Robinson said. “You had to do great work to move up like that in the University System.”
Templeton is survived by his wife of 68 years, Maxie; son, Earl Wayne; daughter-in-law, Judy Templeton; two grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2006, at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Services will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006, at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. A gravesite service will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2006, at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arleigh B. Templeton Scholarship fund at Sam Houston State University. To leave the family a written tribute, you may do so at http://www.mem.com.