1865 Society

As a Lehigh family with graduates spanning three generations, we have deep ties to the university. We recognize Lehigh as an institution that develops strong leaders in the private and public sectors. Our nation’s future relies upon ethical, transparent, and thoughtful leaders — the type of leaders Lehigh shapes.

We have had the pleasure of hiring Lehigh graduates. We know that Lehigh’s interdisciplinary education prepares students to evaluate and manage diverse organizations, solve problems, and execute impactful solutions. The university’s culture produces team players who are curious, hardworking, smart, and respectful — a culture we should all want to support.

University leadership and alumni engagement continue to set Lehigh apart. We are committed to supporting research and providing financial aid and scholarships. We are confident in the strategic path charting Lehigh’s success and are pleased to support the students who will become tomorrow’s leaders. 

“Lehigh is a second home to two generations of Boslands, and we are forever grateful for all the university has given our family. As a first-generation student, I was fortunate to receive a need-based scholarship, a great education, and the opportunity to start a successful career with a good job.

Supporting the education of Lehigh’s students and the growth and improvement of the university is important for all of us. This is a critical time in Lehigh’s evolution, and Lehigh students need help as they prepare to be leaders and make a positive impact on the world. It feels great to support this future. We are blessed to be part of this special place and fortunate to be in a position to give back.”

“John was an engineer at heart. He always liked to solve problems and kept a small notebook of ideas for inventions. He thought a chemical engineer could tackle most of our world’s problems.

After ten years working in the industry, he came to teach at Lehigh University. In his lectures, he emphasized how engineering principles were applied to solve practical problems. He wanted to teach the science of engineering as well as to guide his students in the art of thinking, such that they arrived at the answers themselves.

As his wife and a chemist and chemical engineer, I shared John’s passions and dreams. He taught at Lehigh for more than 40 years, but research must be continued to keep up with our constantly changing world.”

“I came to Lehigh because I liked that it was strong in business, the arts, and my initial major, engineering. Little did I know that taking a Spanish class taught by Victor Valenzuela during my first year would change the entire trajectory of my life!

With Professor Valenzuela’s encouragement, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish at Lehigh and a master’s in Spanish from Columbia University New York (CUNY), where I was encouraged by Valenzuela to meet another life-influencing professor, Gregory Rabassa. I used the knowledge of Brazilian culture I learned from Professors Valenzuela and Rabassa, along with a doctorate in comparative literature (Portuguese) from the City University of New York, to start an industrial part and machinery export business serving clients in Brazil.

It was a desire to honor these two mentor-professors that led me to set up my first charitable gift annuity, with the intent of creating an endowed chair of Latin American literature at Lehigh named for Valenzuela and Rabassa, both of whom have passed away. Lehigh and these two mentors created lifelong relationships and the success I achieved in my careers.”

Lehigh is where we met, fell in love, and began the life we share. As the first alumni couple to marry following the university’s transition to co-education in 1971, our connection to Lehigh is rooted in the start of a new era. More than 50 years later, we remain grateful for the education that shaped our careers — and for the unexpected gift of finding each other on South Mountain.

We support scholarships at Lehigh to ensure today’s students have the freedom to embrace all that the university has to offer, regardless of their financial circumstances. We hope our philanthropy helps students make the most of their education and discover the people who will shape the rest of their lives, just as we did.

“Lehigh was such an important part of my formative years – from arriving on campus in 1982 as a shy freshman recruited to play lacrosse; to then walking on to the basketball team under now-Naismith Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw; to becoming an accounting major in a tough, competitive business school; and yes, to getting a good job through Lehigh’s placement office!

I will never forget when I was hired by Deloitte, the partner who interviewed me was struck by the well-roundedness of the Lehigh students he was interviewing. So now, as I approach the sunset of my working years – 36 years after graduation – giving back to Lehigh is so important, as I would not be where I am without the social, athletic, and academic experience it offered me.

Seeing women in the workforce continue to rise into key leadership roles, I decided to give back to Lehigh in a way that empowers young women to build their confidence to thrive in what is still a very male-dominated business world. The Leading Empowered Athletes to Distinction (LEAD) Scholars program announced in February 2022 aims to do just that.”

My experiences at Lehigh showed me the value of an education grounded in both strong fundamentals and real-world application. Engineering is ultimately about solving problems that matter, and I admire the university’s commitment to giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn through hands-on research, design, and collaboration. That approach shaped my path and the path of my two children, Russell ’17 and Abby MS’25.

What excites me most about Lehigh’s future is its ability to evolve alongside emerging technologies while remaining steadfast about student-centered learning. Lehigh students are thoughtful, engaged, and eager to tackle meaningful challenges. Supporting their growth is incredibly rewarding for my wife, Sig, and me because you can see the impact firsthand, both in what they accomplish on campus and in the professional lives they will lead. For our family, supporting Lehigh means helping ensure that students have access to the tools, equipment, and exceptional faculty that prepare them to excel in a rapidly changing world.

“Ken French is inspired to give back to Lehigh because the university impacted his life in transformative ways. He views his philanthropy as a way to reciprocate the generosity that enabled his own experiences as a student and set him on a course for his professional career. Ken and his wife, Vickie, are passionate about providing opportunities for students that increase the likelihood of their graduation. Through their generosity, the Frenches hope to support and encourage a diverse, vibrant student body, and aid both low-income and first-generation college students. Ken believes in Lehigh’s ability to educate and shape the next generation of leaders and is dedicated to providing the resources these students need to reach beyond the limits of their potential."

We know from experience how it feels to be transformed by truly talented educators. While we were students at Lehigh, our faculty mentors were instrumental in helping us see opportunities that we didn’t even know were possible.

Our goal in supporting scholarships isn’t just to enable students to attend Lehigh; it’s also to maximize what they gain from their education. We support innovative academics and committed faculty who drive successful outcomes so that future Lehigh alumni will be in the position that we’re in right now to be able to give back and continue to support the university.

We want to encourage faculty and staff to develop new programs and approaches to reimagine the classroom experience, maximize learning, and personalize education for students. These new approaches will help students thrive in a supportive and inspiring environment.

“I graduated from Lehigh in 1957 with a B.S. in business administration and a major in accounting. My Lehigh experience has allowed me to grow and prosper in both the business world and in my community activities. I consider myself blessed in many ways, helped a great deal by my Lehigh experience. It is wonderful to be at a stage in life where I can “give back” to organizations and people that have made my life successful.

Lehigh has grown into a major, high quality university, and the future looks brighter each year for the university and its students. We live in a world that is changing more rapidly than ever before, and in the future, these changes will continue to come at a faster and faster pace. Quality education allows one to grow and prosper in these changing circumstances.

As we all know, the cost of education has grown exponentially compared to almost any other costs other than perhaps medical. This means that in order to allow more and more students to enjoy what Lehigh has to offer, others, like myself, who were helped by Lehigh and have the capacity need to support the university so that others have the same experience.”

“My wife, Pat, and I set up the Greer Scholars Program at Lehigh in 2014 to help young people from low-income backgrounds earn a degree in engineering. We felt this degree would help these students be better able to get a good-paying job and perhaps help others, too.

We chose Lehigh because of its excellent reputation in training engineers. I had a very positive experience when I attended school there and received my degree in metallurgical engineering. Additionally, we know Lehigh values diversity and helping students with financial needs who come from families and communities where it’s not common to obtain an engineering degree.”

Lehigh University has had an enormous impact on our lives. It’s where we met, where we fell in love, and where our lifelong journey together began immediately after graduation. The education we received at Lehigh gave us not only the technical skills that served as the foundation for our careers, but also the confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that shaped our lives far beyond the classroom.

Lehigh also gave us something equally important — friendships that have lasted nearly 50 years. Those relationships continue to be a source of joy and connection for us today. Our family’s bond with Lehigh runs deep — two of our three children are Lehigh graduates, one of whom, like his father, married a fellow Lehigh alum. We also have a niece and a nephew who are proud Lehigh alumni.

Over the decades, we’ve watched Lehigh grow and evolve under exceptional leadership and through the unwavering support of its alumni community. We feel blessed to be able to give back to an institution that has given us so much. By establishing the endowed Lew and Sherry Hay Dean of Engineering, we hope to help the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science continue to thrive and inspire the next generation of engineers.

We’re especially motivated by Dean DeWeerth’s vision for the engineering program and the transformative First-Year Rossin Experience (FYRE). We believe this type of bold leadership and forward thinking is essential to preparing students for success in an increasingly complex, technologically driven world. Supporting that mission is our way of helping Lehigh and its students reach even greater heights.

Lehigh University permeated my late husband Ned’s life and mine, in a somewhat lesser but no less significant way. Ned was the scientist in the family, a member of the Lehigh faculty for over half a century, and when he died, I knew how much he valued the students of various levels — the fresh-out-of-high school, bubbling undergraduates as well as the more directed upper-level students, including the graduate students. His presence on the faculty made my own graduate work possible and opened the door to my teaching in the English department while working on my graduate degree.

Ned made new beginnings possible for many of us! His fellow faculty members wrote a loving salute to him — “How Can I Help” — when he died. They captured his easygoing outreach to so many people, whether students or colleagues at Lehigh or those at the many institutions he visited on speaking tours for the American Chemical Society. He “outreached” so easily and eagerly — the very spirit of Lehigh, when you think about it. Some of this ease has been passed on by Ned’s students to create a “How Can I Help” mentality that helps Lehigh grow in very fundamental ways.

Like most institutions, Lehigh is a community of learners and researchers who, in working together, increase Lehigh’s value to past, current, and prospective students and, in turn, their value to the communities they go on to nourish. A really wonderful “contagion.”

As Lehigh alumni, we built a strong foundation in accounting, finance, and marketing that proved foundational to our careers. We support Lehigh to ensure today’s students can build that same foundation. Our scholarship provides access for those who might not otherwise have the financial means to attend Lehigh, while also contributing to the diversity of the student body.

Lehigh’s thoughtful approach to complex global issues, such as artificial intelligence, combined with its strong momentum in enrollment and job placement, gives us great confidence. We are proud to support future generations as they thrive within Lehigh’s culture of interdisciplinary inquiry and practical learning, just as we did.

“Lehigh was a very important part of my growth and development, and I am honored to give back and support the institution. In particular, the student experience is very important to me, and I believe that at Lehigh this is distinguished by the university’s unique combination of medium size, culture of hard work, and wide set of interdisciplinary opportunities. I am excited that Lehigh has made financial aid a crucial initiative in the GO campaign, in order to ensure affordability and access for students who deserve the kind of life-changing experiences that Lehigh can offer. I believe that the university’s primary mission is to educate and develop young adults and young leaders, and because of Lehigh’s distinctive strengths, we will be able to carry out this mission and thrive well into the future.”

Lehigh is profoundly woven into our family’s story. The first chapter began when I attended and played football for Lehigh in the 1980s. Later, when Stephanie and I became parents of alumnae — Madison ’20 and Allie ’24 — our Lehigh connection deepened. We watched our daughters find mentors who believed in them, discover passions that became careers, and form relationships and memories that continue to shape their lives. Those relationships include Madison’s husband, Jack O’Brien ’20. Even our daughter, Emily, who didn’t attend Lehigh, says that the Lehigh campus has always felt like home.

It’s important to us to help make a Lehigh education possible for student-athletes who may otherwise not have the opportunity. Stephanie and I are proud to support the Lehigh experiences that have meant so much to our family. 

“Lehigh University is a unique and special place, a small school with big ambitions and a total commitment to excellence. My time at Lehigh was formative, putting me on the path to success in life, and I want others to have the same experience. We as alumni have a responsibility to do what we can to support the school and ensure that its traditions are preserved for future generations of leaders.”

As a family with three graduates, we consider Lehigh an important part of our lives. The multiple opportunities offered by Lehigh provided the environment for Linda and our children to each pursue their own distinct academic and extracurricular paths.

In deciding how best to support Lehigh, creating an endowment to benefit the Jewish Student Center was a priority for our family. The Jewish Student Center provides Jewish students with a “home away from home.” It is a welcoming place for all students to celebrate Jewish culture and religion, to study, to eat, and to hang out together. We expect that the endowment will contribute to continued growth in the Jewish Student Center’s programming and in student participation.

We have also provided funding for the Chaplain’s Office, to support students of all faiths, for Disability Support Services, to provide access and accommodations for all students, and for the Lehigh Fund, to support the university’s mission and operations.

My father, Lee Iacocca ’45 ’69H ’GP17, was truly grateful for the scholarship he received to attend Lehigh. It changed his life and launched his career. Lehigh taught him to be forward thinking. He was ahead of his time, like when he started an electric bike company 25 years before they were suddenly everywhere! He had a global perspective and wanted to give back to the school he loved.

That same global view attracted me to Lehigh. The energy I felt when I first attended a Global Village dinner inspired my philanthropy. At Lehigh, students from all corners of the globe worked together on projects, shared cultures, left prejudices behind, and truly saw the shared humanity in each other. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the global Lehigh family!

Lehigh is an amazing institution. It was an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees, and I am very excited to be inducted into the 1865 Society with my sister, Kate.

Being a part of the Iacocca International Internship Program advisory board was one of my greatest joys for many years. In the program’s early days, I would read applications with faculty and staff and apply the program’s selection criteria to the strongest candidates. I would sit and think about my dad: What would he have thought about this student? Whom would he choose to study abroad and why? The process has changed over the years. While I miss being a part of it, it is one of my fondest memories and a reminder of why I support Lehigh.

I’m pleased to make study abroad and international experiences possible for today’s students by supporting the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. I know our father, Lee Iacocca ’45 ’69H ’GP17, would be so proud and honored that his daughters are members of the 1865 Society. 

“I regret that I didn’t truly appreciate or take advantage of all Lehigh had to offer while I was there from 1976 to 1980. As I got older, I realized how privileged I was and how important college was – and how instrumental Lehigh was in all aspects of my life.

My internship through Lehigh led to a job offer before graduation, and my career took off from there. The Lehigh community was involved in many aspects of my business and had a major impact on my life. Fellow alumni, including my fraternity brothers, helped me grow my own business when I was just starting it.

My wife, Alissa, and I consider ourselves very fortunate and blessed people. We want to give back and feel education is the most impactful way we can do that. We have started three scholarships at three schools and have contributed to the Business Innovation Building and multiple other Lehigh initiatives. Supporting Lehigh in this way has been one of our most rewarding endeavors.

Having our son, Andrew ’22, attend Lehigh helped solidify our relationship, legacy, and admiration for the university. We look forward to a third generation attending in the future!”

“I was fortunate to attend Lehigh University thanks to the scholarships I received and the work-study programs that helped make my education possible. I believe it is both my responsibility and privilege to give back to Lehigh, supporting hardworking students who, like me, are willing to make sacrifices for an excellent education and a well-rounded college experience. These students will one day contribute meaningfully to our society.

Supporting scholarships and the arts at Lehigh is especially important to me. I deeply value the impact the Zoellner Arts Center has on campus and in the community, and I’m proud to support Lehigh’s collaboration with the Bethlehem Area School District to bring arts access to K-8 students. The Newman Center, Lehigh’s Catholic campus ministry, also holds special significance for me, as my education, faith, and the arts have shaped who I am today.

As each senior class graduates, I’m inspired by the 1,000+ individuals ready to make the world a better place, armed with education, lifelong friendships, and a spirit of adventure."

“I was fortunate to receive support from alumni when I attended Lehigh, and I’ve made it my mission to do the same for students today. I hope at least one student will have opportunities that might not have been possible otherwise.

Women’s basketball is particularly important to me. As a student-athlete, playing basketball provided me with the opportunity to attend Lehigh and earn my education. The program also taught me the value of teamwork in achieving goals, a lesson that has been invaluable in my career in the financial industry.

What excites me most about Lehigh's future is how each student holds the potential to make a meaningful difference in the world. Lehigh provides a solid foundation for students to excel. It’s crucial to support the Lehigh experience and help open a world of possibilities that for many may have been out of reach. Lehigh’s challenging curriculum, strong alumni network, and first-class faculty and staff set it apart as a premier institution."

“There are several reasons why I support graduate education at Lehigh. Having earned both my master’s and doctoral degrees here, I am grateful to the university for giving me the foundation that started my own company, Science Engineering Services.  

Lehigh is also a place that values academic freedom, as I do. By supporting its dynamic research environment, I see my giving to graduate education as a way to train future generations of scientists to be the new knowledge creators and innovators the world needs. 

Finally, I give to Lehigh in honor of my faculty adviser, Professor Yong Kim, who was my most valued mentor when I was a graduate student.”

“Karen and I hope our gift has the effect of diversifying the student body and exposes Lehigh students to as many different cultures as possible. The world is getting smaller, and we all need to prepare for change. Lehigh is a strong brand, and our ability to attract outstanding young students from across the world will only make Lehigh stronger. There is no turning back: Globalization is upon us, and Lehigh is moving to reflect that in its student body. Bravo!”

“We are proud to be a Lehigh family. We give to Lehigh to expand its position in academics, research, and community among elite universities. We are excited about Lehigh’s bold vision to build on its outstanding reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary curricula and research, and its commitment to continue fostering an inclusive community.

The institution’s long history of academic excellence has remained constant, and Lehigh has continued to grow and innovate in so many ways. Its continued investment in new areas of academic study and research are yielding important discoveries and entrepreneurial ventures. An increasingly diverse and engaged student body is fostering a strong sense of community in a world that desperately needs that.

Unlike many premier research universities, Lehigh is renowned for providing the education, spectrum of activities, and leadership opportunities that prepare students for the next step in their lives. It’s this practical and holistic approach that makes Lehigh one of the best launching pads for a productive career and a fulfilling life. We are excited to see what’s next."

We give to Lehigh in recognition of the university’s influence on us, our family, and the community. In searching for a home for the Marcon Institute, we decided Lehigh was the best place for it. We hope Lehigh students will benefit from their involvement with the institute, and we hope that experience will be a valuable part of their Lehigh education.

“Education was always a very strong value for my father. While he believed pursuing an education was important for students, he knew that, to have the best outcomes, it was important to support creativity and intellectual pursuit in faculty – that having a strongly motivated educator was one of the keys to the successful imparting of knowledge. His endowment is for faculty development, to support academic endeavors and development to make faculty stronger teachers.

Fostering the best for coming generations was something my father appreciated. He believed that, by supporting faculty, he was helping to provide a strong, impactful education for students of the future. While brick-and-mortar philanthropy is important, he felt that motivating people provided a gift for future generations.

When my father made commitments, he honored them strongly, and that shows in his commitment to Lehigh. Even though he lived in Florida, he really enjoyed – when Lehigh had events there – hearing about what was happening on campus and, in particular, with the chemical engineering department. Lehigh was very important to him.”
– Dr. Mark McClurg, son of Suzanne and Charles

“As a student, I felt extremely proud to be part of the Lehigh community. All these years later, I still carry forward that sense of pride and belonging. 

In my senior year, we pledged $20 per year for 20 years. Today, I give to athletics, endowed scholarship, and to Lehigh Business.

I admire how Lehigh continues to produce programs that are relevant in the world. It’s never stagnant. The university has adapted and changed with the times and done it well. The College of Health is a good example. Another is the effort to grow the undergraduate and graduate student populations. It’s important to have a mix of students on campus that reflects our society. It’s also important to give young people opportunities they otherwise would not have. Fortunately, we have the applicants and reputation to make that happen.

Lehigh has always taught practical skills and produced leaders. The success of its students, in whatever field they enter, is something else I continue to be proud of and always will be.”

Leila and I have made Lehigh University a charitable priority for three reasons.

One: Gratitude. I arrived at Lehigh as a 17-year-old, first-generation college student with no knowledge of what was ahead of me. The community at Lehigh, and in particular the College of Business faculty, made a profound and lasting difference in my life. Through experiences inside and outside of the classroom, Lehigh prepared me for the future. 

Two: We want the Lehigh experience to remain accessible for all qualified applicants, regardless of their financial resources. Scholarships create transformational opportunities and strengthen the university as a whole. A strong and broad university education has significant costs. Only generosity enables it to be available to all.

Three: Lehigh has the ethos, leadership, and strategy to thrive in an increasingly risky environment. Its commitment to hands-on interdisciplinary learning prepares students for what lies ahead. Lehigh has demonstrated an ability to evolve while maintaining its core values. That will continue to make the difference. 

“As a young girl, my aunt Lillian recognized the value of education and the strong ties between Lehigh University and her family. Her grandfather, Charles Lewis Taylor (valedictorian, Class of 1876), became an industrialist, working with Andrew Carnegie in the steel industry. Lillian’s uncle, Charles Henry Savage (magna cum laude, Class of 1942), contributed to Mariner's 4, 7, and 9 space missions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Lillian felt that students who had the motivation to study hard and work toward success but did not have the financial means to attain an education deserved a chance through scholarships. She and her family believe that Lehigh offers a distinct academic environment to undergraduate students and are proud to support it. 

She wanted to ensure that the legacy of Lehigh University education is experienced by future generations."
– Karen Savage, niece of Lillian

“In the households of our parents and immigrant grandparents, education was revered. Likewise, for the two of us and for our three daughters, education is, and has been, a cornerstone and foundation for the myriad of opportunities and blessings that are ours.

Education...is our nation’s greatest resource; it facilitates and ensures meritocracy, and it is and must be for all a segue to the best and brightest of futures. For each and for all of us who have benefited from higher education, we believe that it is incumbent on us to ensure that the opportunity to learn and flourish is available to and affordable for all. It is our collective duty and responsibility to afford to one and all learning, means, and a path to realize their utmost potential and to be best positioned to contribute to, and heal and make better, our world. 

For the two of us, philanthropy is mandatory and essential. As we have reflected on how to help transform the lives of others, our thoughts turn to South Mountain. How wonderful for us to try to follow in the footsteps of the Honorable Asa Packer whose goal was to bequeath to every generation of Lehigh students a haven of knowledge, learning, clarity of thought, and theory to practice, all without financial barriers and limits."

“While our late son, Michael “Bear” Sebastian ’96, was at Lehigh, it was in the Choir that he formed his most enduring friendships and had his most memorable and important experiences. Ensuring that the choral arts at Lehigh would continue to thrive and provide even more opportunities for enriching relationships and musical experiences seemed to us the obvious choice when we considered how to create a legacy for Bear.  We hope that the Michael C. “Bear” Sebastian Choral Arts Endowment will help to fulfill these goals for generations to come."

I give to Lehigh because the university believed in me early, invested in me generously, and gave me opportunities to learn, lead, and serve. My giving is a way to honor the family, friends, mentors, and community that helped define my path and to ensure future generations of Lehigh students receive the same opportunity to learn, lead, and serve.

“I have embraced the maxim Lifelong Learning. As a proud Lehigh business school alum and founder and CEO of Vistex, I wanted to identify an impactful way to help the university and the many business professionals seeking out new challenges as they continue on their career path. The creation of the Vistex Institute for Executive Learning and Research accomplishes this goal.

I’ve experienced firsthand a need for a more customized, research-based approach to learning for professionals which led me to approach Lehigh about making a major gift to create this new offering. Unlike other executive education programs at other top-tier universities, the Vistex Institute will take a more hands-on approach in providing participants with carefully-curated content and curriculum geared toward enhancing human capital and needed skills. Participants will take what they learn in the classroom and directly apply it to their professional roles.

I’m hopeful the addition of an executive education program to Lehigh University’s business school offering, combined with its unique, customized approach, will further elevate the university’s stellar national and global reputation.”

Lehigh University is truly my family’s alma mater in every sense of the phrase. I was introduced to Lehigh by my father, Samuel Solomon 1932, who had a wonderful experience in his four years at Lehigh, as did the next three generations: Martin Solomon 1965, Marcy Solomon Baker 1992, and Samantha Baker 2021.

We received first-rate educations with degrees in liberal arts, business, and engineering. We all had enriching social lives in two fraternities, Sigma Alpha Mu and Tau Delta Phi, and a sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Of greatest significance, I met my wife, Maxine Yaffe, a 1967 graduate of Cedar Crest College, at Lehigh in 1965.

Considering all of this, I felt compelled to repay Lehigh by making experiences like ours available to the students who follow us. A number of years ago, Maxine and I established the Samuel Solomon Family Scholarship Fund, which annually helps deserving students.

I am very proud to join the generous members of the 1865 Society.

I loved and respected my dad, Clayton Squier ’35. Seeing what his Lehigh degree in electrical engineering allowed him to do made me confident that Lehigh was the right place for me, too. Looking back, I know I could not have made a better choice for my engineering education.

My dad’s aunt was a postal worker who provided most of the funds for his education. He understood how important financial support could be, so he and my mom endowed a scholarship at Lehigh. My wife, Sue, and I are thankful to follow their example by supporting scholarships for today’s deserving students as they achieve their potential at Lehigh.

I was fortunate to have served on the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science Dean's Advisory Council, which allowed me to see how Lehigh’s interdisciplinary focus benefits many students. I also fully support Dean Stephen DeWeerth’s important vision to advance research outcomes and enhance the university’s engineering facilities.  

I am proud to be a Lehigh alumnus, and I greatly value all that Lehigh has done for me. Sue and I are especially pleased to help today’s students prepare for their futures through scholarship support. 

“While serving as a trustee, I worked to create the real estate minor in the business college to help the university attract top talent and graduate exceptional students into an industry I dearly love. It was a very rewarding journey.

Our university continues to evolve in very meaningful ways, with initiatives that help continue to attract outstanding students who will be our future leaders. Lehigh maintains its greatness through the support of those who have had the privilege and honor of passing through its doors, who then carry the commitment to protect the legacy and its valuable traditions.

The total Lehigh experience was fundamental to my future success in life as well as in business. Giving back to this institution in a meaningful way is an honor and a privilege that I take very seriously.”

My philanthropy reflects the simple belief that when directed wisely, dollars invested in higher education can yield meaningful returns for society. Lehigh uses its resources thoughtfully and effectively, creating benefits that far exceed any individual gift.

The Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience is especially meaningful to me. Its work is closely connected to my professional experience, and I have seen firsthand how critical this field is to communities around the world. By advancing research and educating students in this area, the university is generating knowledge with practical and lasting impact.

Janet and I firmly believe that a high-quality education is essential for the generations that follow. Our confidence in Lehigh’s leadership and long-term strategy has guided our decision to give back.

Lehigh has been part of our family story for generations. My father, Peter Rossin, attended Lehigh through the GI Bill and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. in metallurgical engineering after returning from military service. The education and opportunities he received at Lehigh played an important role in his success, and he never forgot what Lehigh gave him.

With the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science bearing his name, that connection is especially meaningful to our family. My father believed Lehigh helped make his success possible and felt a deep responsibility to give back to the institution that had given him so much. My mother shared that commitment and was an important part of the journey.

My husband and I are proud to continue that legacy by supporting the Rossin College Doctoral Support Program. My father understood how much an education could mean to a person’s future, and we feel the same way. We want to help give today’s students the opportunities and support they need to succeed.

Giving to Lehigh is our family’s way of honoring my father’s gratitude and my mother’s loving support while ensuring future generations have the resources to make meaningful contributions of their own.

“As a student from a family of modest means, I attended Lehigh University thanks to nearly full financial aid, which included a scholarship, low-interest loans, and work-study opportunities. Without this support, I could not have afforded the transformative experience that Lehigh provided.

Now, as a proud alumnus, I am committed to giving back by offering the same opportunities to students in similar financial situations. It is important for students to experience a diverse campus with students from all different backgrounds.

What excites me most about Lehigh’s future is the continued excellence in engineering education for young minds. Lehigh’s reputation for high-quality engineering training, combined with a vibrant campus life filled with sports, clubs, and social activities, distinguishes it as a premier institution. I’m proud to help ensure that future generations of students can benefit from the same Lehigh experience that shaped my life."

“Lehigh has given so much to my family and me that “giving back” comes easily. When the Lehigh name comes up in conversation, I hear repeatedly how our fellow graduates come prepared to work hard and make a difference in their chosen careers as well as in the lives of the people around them. Ensuring that that true Lehigh education of mind and spirit is available to any young person willing to put in the work is a legacy we must protect. 

We are at a very exciting time in the arc of Lehigh’s evolution. New programs and facilities are ensuring a bright future for the school we care so much about. All of us blessed to be part of the Lehigh family must strive to preserve this legacy for future generations of students.”

“Larry’s years at Lehigh meant so much to him. He often referred to it in conversation: “Back when I was at Lehigh …” He felt Lehigh was the perfect place for him to develop and hone his critical thinking skills which ultimately culminated in establishing his own business.

After we educated our three sons, we wanted to help some young person along his or her career path, so we established our scholarship. Lehigh’s future was exciting to us – especially the new College of Health and the Business Innovation Building. Larry really wanted to be a part of it.

While I never went to Lehigh as a student (no females back then), I was Larry’s date for four years, and I loved it as much as he did. Larry was proud to be a Lehigh University alumnus.”

“I am inspired to give to Lehigh because it’s where I cultivated many of my deepest lifelong friendships. Aside from choosing to marry my spouse, deciding to attend Lehigh was probably the most consequential decision I've made in my life as it is where I met my dear friend and lifelong business partner, Fred Schaufeld.

Through my years of philanthropy, I have come to realize that education is one of the best opportunities for enhancing one's life. For first-generation graduates, it can have a generational impact on their future families. My two endowed funds at Lehigh are dedicated to supporting initiatives that help deserving students and their families overcome unexpected financial hardships and enable first-generation students to fully participate in the college experience.

I am particularly excited about Lehigh’s increased focus on diversity and racial equity, and its commitment to creating opportunities for all. By investing in these initiatives, I believe we can make a lasting difference in the lives of many students and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future."