Kal and Lucille Rudman donate $1 million to Temple
PHILADELPHIA Kal and Lucille Rudman launched Temple University's television station and media production center four years ago with a $1.2 million gift.
PHILADELPHIA Kal and Lucille Rudman launched Temple University's television station and media production center four years ago with a $1.2 million gift.
On Sunday, the Cherry Hill couple will renew that commitment with another $1 million gift to support the center and station, known as TUTV.
"This is exactly what my wife and I wish to do with our money," said Rudman, 84, a local philanthropist and legendary radio personality who helped Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, and other greats in their careers.
The gift announcement will be made at an alumni award ceremony Sunday on campus, where Rudman will be recognized.
"Since joining Temple in September, I've been overwhelmed by the generosity and vision of the Rudmans," David Boardman, dean of the School of Media and Communication, said in a statement. "Their gifts are the foundation from which we have built TUTV, an asset that gives our students the hands-on experience to be real-world ready when they graduate."
The gift will support station operations and special projects. The station, which shows student films, news and entertainment shows, and faculty shows, can be seen within the city on Comcast Channel 50 and Verizon Channel 45 or online at templetv.net.
Rudman, a Philadelphia native and graduate of Central High, received a master's in education from Temple in 1957. He was a Top 40 disc jockey at WCAM in Camden and later Billboard magazine's first R&B editor. A former Merv Griffin Show regular, he became famous and wealthy with his publication Friday Morning Quarterback, an influential music-industry trade magazine that he started publishing in 1968 out of his basement. He was also known for his uncanny ability to predict records that would become hits.
The Rudmans have donated to many other education and public-safety groups in the region, and Rudman has honorary degrees from several local universities, including Drexel, the University of the Arts, and Holy Family.
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