Dear Colleagues, 

It is with great sadness that we write to share that Janet Klein, a dear friend of Temple University and wife of the late Lew Klein, the namesake of the Klein College of Media and Communication, passed away Aug. 4. She was 96.  

A devoted member of both the Temple and Klein College communities, Janet had served on the Klein College Board of Visitors since 2019, but her connection to Temple goes back much further. For years, Janet and her husband touched the lives of many Temple students through their philanthropy. In addition to the college that bears the Klein name, the impact of Janet and Lew can be seen everywhere across Temple’s campus. Lew Klein Hall serves as the main foyer space of the Temple Performing Arts Center, and Klein College’s hall of fame, the Lew Klein Alumni in the Media and Excellence in the Media Awards, also carries the Klein name.  

While Janet and Lew supported media and communication students, they also supported disciplines ranging from education to local history. They had a passion for the community, and they understood how positive relationships between police and young people can play a key role in fostering trust.  

Until her passing, Janet was also a member of the Temple University Ambler Campus Board of Visitors. While she is remembered for her incredible acts of philanthropy and her love of history, Janet’s most remarkable trait was her kindness. She was committed to doing her part to help make the world a better place, and we certainly saw the effects of that here at Temple.

We invite you to learn more about Janet and her legacy in this Temple Now piece.   

On behalf of the Temple community, we want to express our condolences to Janet’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed.   

Sincerely,   

John Fry 
President 

David Boardman 
Dean, Klein College of Media and Communication