Celebrate a very special birthday and Black History Month.

Not Oliver Cromwell Today we’re celebrating the birthday of the original Owl, Temple University’s founder...wait, who was that again? Russell Crowe? Oliver Cromwell? We posed the question to a bunch of you Owls (and got some interesting answers); Hooter finally set us straight. Watch the video

Happy Birthday, Russell Crowe! It’s Russell CONWELL, people. Temple was founded by Russell Conwell, who would be 173 years old today. Head over to the Student Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to celebrate at the annual Temple Toast, a 24-hour birthday party/fundraiser in which all Owls—students, alumni, faculty, staff—show their love for Temple by supporting the vision of our founder, who believed everyone has the right to a high-quality education, regardless of background or means. There will be food, music, games and giveaways, and philanthropic Owls who donate even just $1 (we get that you’re strapped for cash) will be entered to win prizes. Happy birthday to you. Toast Russell Conwell

I don’t know, what do you wanna do? February is Black History Month, which celebrates a rich heritage shared by many Owls. Two events this week are devoted to channeling your inner Kanye (creative-genius Kanye, not crazy Kanye). Or your inner Jean-Michel Basquiat, your inner Zora Neale Hurston, your inner Alvin Ailey... Black Creativity is a workshop where you can partake in painting, creative writing, dancing and crafts. Or show up for the Babel Poetry Collective’s Speak Into Action Open Mic, where poets and musicians will amaze on stage (and you can, too!). Open Mic: Monday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., 217AB, Howard Gittis Student Center; Black Creativity: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Atrium, Howard Gittis Student Center There are plenty of Black History Month events off campus, too—check out this trolley tour of African American murals, a full list of Free Library events and many more.

We’ll email you every Monday morning; you can contact us whenever you want. We’d love to hear your feedback and story ideas, or anything else you think we should know. nutshell@temple.edu

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