Charles M. Temple
President State Technical Institute at Memphis | 1983-1995
Charles M. Temple served as the president of State Technical Institute at Memphis
from 1983 to 1995. Born on March 25, 1932, he had a distinguished career in both education
and the military. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951, serving in Korea and
Vietnam, and retired as a Colonel in 1990. His military decorations included the Legion
of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Temple earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Memphis State University in 1958. He later received his Doctor of Education degree in 1970 and an Executive Master in Business Administration in 1978 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before his presidency at State Tech, he held various academic and administrative positions, including Executive Vice Chancellor for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1973 to 1983.
During his presidency at State Tech, Temple focused on expanding educational programs and improving the institution's reputation. In 1989, U.S. News and World Report recognized State Tech as one of America's best colleges. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to participative management and management by objectives, principles he frequently wrote about in professional journals.
Temple's legacy continues through the Dr. Charles M. Temple Endowed Scholarship at Southwest Tennessee Community College, supporting students in their educational pursuits. In 2020, the Tennessee Board of Regents honored him posthumously with the inaugural Chancellor's Commendation for Military Veterans, recognizing his contributions to both higher education and military service.
Temple passed away on June 2, 2017.