From artist, to instructor, to Vice President for Instruction at College of the Mainland, Dr. James Templer has led a life committed to education. Originally from Uvalde, Texas, Dr. Templer came to College of the Mainland (COM) in 1976 with a master of fine arts degree and was hired as a COM art professor. He taught at COM until January 2000 when he was given the opportunity to become Vice President for Instruction at COM. Templer served as a faculty member in Fine Arts for 23 years.
Over the years at COM, he was: Acting Chairman of Arts; Vice President/Dean of Instruction; Advisor for the Coastal Fine Arts Association; Art Club Advisor. Templer originally retired in August, 2010, but was asked to come back in 2016. He will retire again at the end of May 2019 but will continue to work through June 2019 helping the new VPI to transition and to work on the SACSCOC 5th Year report.
Dr. Templer attended several universities for his college degrees including Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, University of Texas at El Paso and East Texas State, University in Commerce, where he received both his bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts degrees. Dr. Templer attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he received his doctorate in medical humanities and arts and visual studies.
Templer grew up in Uvalde, where “there was no art education and art was thought of as an avocation. At that time the most acceptable form of professional art was commercial art,” he adds.
"When I graduated from Uvalde High School in 1964, the only exposure I’d had to art was through Life magazines and books. In spite of having no formal art background entering college as a pre-dental major, and spending three years in the army, I somehow managed to make art my career. "
Templer has exhibited his work at North Part art Festival, Dallas; SPAR National Art Exhibit, Shreveport, Louisiana; New Orleans Artists National Biennial, New Orleans. His work has also been on display in Houston, Galveston, and Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos. The New Orleans Museum of Fine Arts owns one of Templer’s originals.
~ some portions excerpted from James Templer, Intercom, March 1980
Dr. Templer is also the author of the novel, Virion, a thriller set on the Texas Gulf Coast. Dr. Templer spoke at the College about the writing experience followed by a book signing during National Library Week. He also kindly donated a copy of Virion to the library, where it is available for checkout. The event was very popular and required a second session to meet demand. A brief clip of Dr. Templer’s presentation is available online.
James Templer was hired as art instructor at COM in 1976 and became tenured faculty in 1981. After Templer’s arrival at COM in 1976, the art program grew. “We now have a variety of classes, and more students-both serious students and those who study art for the fun of it. I’d love to see COM become a Fine Arts Center. That’s one of my dreams,” states James Templer, Fine Arts Instructor.
“Some students may consider me a “hard” instructor because I push professionalism. I take art seriously – it’s my life. I expect my students to take art seriously-whether it’s a vocation or an avocational goal.” Templer adds.
~ some portions excerpted from James Templer, Intercom, March 1980
In January 2000, Templer was selected as Vice President for Instruction at COM. He made the switch from professor to dean because he “recognized a tremendous need for leadership” on campus.
The duties of the vice president/dean of Instruction are “to coordinate all of the instruction areas, (such as) academics, faculty teams, the library and media services,” Templer said. Instruction is divided into: academic, which includes all transfer courses; workforce education; and continuing education including non-credit courses, training for job, skill upgrading or personal pleasure.
Templer manages all areas of curriculum so that they meet state legal requirements. As vice president, Dr. Templer has played a significant role in the assessment process, the plan to establish a college site in League City, and other organizational changes he believed would benefit the college. When asked in 2000, Templer said that his vision for COM included:
~ some portions excerpted from Two deans fill position vacant since ’98, Intercom, February 2000
Go to the Dr. Templer photo album.
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