OWL FOR LIFE:

Lynne Ewell (‘86) was an Owl long before she was old enough to consider higher education. Her father, John E. Tarka, was an engineering professor at the College of Engineering, well into what would become a 31-year tenure. He was also the founding chair of Temple’s Electrical Engineering Technology Department, helping to launch the university’s biomedical engineering program. As a little girl, she walked the halls of Temple’s biomedical engineering lab with her siblings. 

As she neared graduation from Lower Moreland High School in 1982, her parents naturally suggested Temple for undergrad. Lynne, however, wasn’t so sure: “I had been around Temple my whole life, and I really didn’t know if I wanted to go. It was my dad’s school. It wasn’t my school.” Adding to her weighty decision, her father also encouraged her to study engineering. “I said, What does an engineer even do?” she recalls. “What am I going to learn?” 

“Lynne,” her father replied, “You’re going to learn how to think.”

That same year, Ewell joined Temple’s incoming freshman class, her sights set on the College of Engineering. In fact, she would be the first woman admitted to the university’s electrical engineering bachelor’s program.

When she wasn’t in the lab, Ewell spent time as a Temple cheerleader for the Owls' basketball team. She also found love on campus. In April 1985, at Doc Holliday’s pub, Lynne met John Ewell, a student of the Temple College of Liberal Arts. John would go on to obtain an MS from Villanova. The couple married in 1988.

Decades later, with a stunning career and a family, both started at Temple, Lynne echoes her father: “One thing that you learn in engineering [at Temple]: you definitely learn the process in the way that you think.” 

In January 1991, Lynne and John founded Prism Engineering, formerly a provider of CAD/CAM design engineering and manufacturing software, 3D printers, training, and support services for businesses in the region. Christopher Tarka, Lynne’s brother, joined them as Vice President of Software and Sales. “I know sometimes family businesses can really be a challenge but we worked extremely well together,” he says. “We leveraged the fact that we were family to grow the business.” 

Lynne’s father, John, served on the board of Prism Engineering, a role he was glad to take on. “Every year, I wrote him a check for $1 that he never cashed,” says Lynne with a laugh. “It was like a thank you note.” 

“We were hands-on people,” Lynne remembers. “We would roll up our sleeves and work alongside everybody. I really can say that I enjoyed that aspect of it so much that I miss it. I loved the engineering and the design. Putting together a team of people that work well together is probably one of the most challenging and rewarding things.” John Ewell echoes, “The most rewarding part was the fun we had working together, the relationships we built collectively with our customers, employees and vendors, many of whom are lifelong friends.”  

After 26 years in operation, the Ewells sold Prism Engineering in June 2016. “Starting and managing a business through multiple growth stages is an exciting journey, filled with triumphs and challenges,” says John, who acted as President and CEO. “After 26 years, we were presented with an opportunity that would allow us to step away.” 

Lynne and John Ewell have four children, three of whom have joined their parents among Temple’s alumni. Their son, Jack went to Penn State University and is currently studying law at Rutgers University. Two of their daughters, Carolyn and Tess are currently enrolled at the university. Carolyn is studying at the School of Sports, Tourism and Hospitality Management. Tess is pursuing a degree in Risk Management at the Fox School of Business.

Their oldest daughter, Christine, earned her undergraduate degree at St. Joseph’s University. When she decided to pursue her Master’s in Education, she chose Temple. “I thought that I would create my own path, but it ended up that [Temple] was the exact program that I wanted to be a part of. It was a plus that it felt like home to me,” she says. Christine earned her master’s in education from Temple in 2019.

One of Lynne Ewell’s favorite Temple moments happened on the graduation stage in 1986, when she proudly received her degree from her father. “That was a tear-jerking moment to say the least,” she remembers fondly. Over the years, the significance of Temple University has only grown to the Ewell family. “Temple means very much to me because of the academic excellence, diversity and my family’s legacy”, Lynne Ewell says, “I’m proud of my father as the founding chair and the groundbreaking contributions he made to the college.”

The Ewell family legacy is still very much alive at Temple. Lynne’s three siblings Jennifer Gavin, CPH ‘90, Jackie Scharko, CLA ’91 and Christopher Tarka, FOX ‘95 all graduated from Temple. Chris also met his wife Diane Merchant, Klein ’95 at Temple.  Her sister, Dr. Elizabeth Tarka, BA ’88 MD ‘92 attended the University of Pennsylvania which was their father’s alma mater.  After Lynne’s father, John E. Tarka, passed away in 2007, the Ewells donated a design and manufacturing lab to the College of Engineering in his name. Lynne Ewell was also inducted into the Temple University Women’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Gallery of Success in 2010. Now, she serves as chair of development for the Temple University Alumni Association and is heavily involved in the College of Engineering Board of Visitors. In that role, she encourages alumni to become more involved with the university. 

“I would tell anyone who is thinking about volunteering to get in touch with Temple. It is rewarding to see what Temple has achieved and to be a part of the future generation’s success.” she says. The Ewells have created scholarships at Temple both individually and together, and both sit on the Temple University Leadership Council, while John is a member of the College of Liberal Arts Board of Visitors. If you want to ask Lynne about Temple, you can often find her still cheering on the Owls at basketball games and tailgates with her family.

“Attending Temple and receiving my engineering degree have directly impacted my life and my family.  I am grateful to give back to this University through volunteerism and donations” Lynne says. “Knowing that I got through the engineering program—which was very challenging—I’ve always felt much more confident as I tried different things in my life.