James Temme, a Petersburg native, has been elected president of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Faculty Senate. He took his post June 1.
Temme, associate professor and program director, radiography, division of radiation science technology education in the School of Allied Health Professions, had served two terms as vice president of the senate. First elected to the senate in 1993, Temme has served on senate subcommittees since 1986.
The son of Joyce Temme and the late Joe Temme, Temme is a 1967 graduate of Petersburg High School. He served two years with the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and two other commendations. Pursuing his education after returning home, Temme received his associate of science degree in 1971 from Platte College in Columbus. He then received an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1973 and 1974, respectively. Temme earned his master’s degree in public administration from UNO in 1984.
Temme is a licensed medical radiographer and certified radiologic technologist. He began his career at UNMC in 1974 as an assistant instructor, was named an instructor in 1979, assistant professor in 1989 and then associate professor in 1996.
As director of the radiography program, Temme has sculpted the curriculum to be more educationally beneficial to its 24 participating students. The old one-year certificate and two-year associate degree have given way to a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on educational research.
Students in the program have excelled at the state and national levels, Temme said, “This year, our students received the top three awards for their science exhibits at the American Society of Radiologic Technology national conference.”
As president of UNMC’s Faculty Senate, Temme said two major issues will occupy his attention — post-tenure review and outcomes assessment. He said maintaining open lines of communication will be one of his goals as president.
“I am committed to keeping the senate informed,” Temme said. “I want to continue a newsletter we started last year and I’ll be reporting regularly to the senate about all board of regents meetings.”
The senate is made up by faculty representatives from each of the academic units of UNMC. It serves as the official voice of all faculty members, acts on academic matters that affect more than one academic unit and consults with other organizations at UNMC on matters such as the budget and institutional planning.