Recognition Societies
Asa Packer Society
Recognizing those who have risen to the challenge of supporting Lehigh’s mission with leadership annual gifts of $10,000 or more.
Pioneer. Leader. Philanthropist. Visionary.
Lehigh founder Asa Packer was all these and more. As a driving force of American industry in the 19th century, he was well positioned to make the kind of historic gift that would change the world in his own time and for generations beyond.
Fittingly, the Asa Packer Society recognizes Lehigh’s most committed annual supporters whose gifts of $10,000 or more set a leadership example in their philanthropy by sustaining our commitment to core values, strengthening key programs, and expanding the impact of our teaching and research.
Pioneer. Leader. Philanthropist. Visionary.
Pioneer. Leader. Visionary. Asa Packer was all of these and more when he founded Lehigh on South Mountain in 1865. By personally funding this endeavor, Packer established what would later become a tradition of giving in higher education in the United States.
In 1967, the Asa Packer Society was established to recognize the generous alumni and friends who sustain the bold ambitions of the university. There is no better name for a society that recognizes donors who set the standard with leadership giving to Lehigh and its promise for the future.
Today, the Asa Packer Society continues to celebrate this proud legacy and upholds Packer’s original philanthropic mission.
Lehigh has changed a lot in fifty years since the Asa Packer Society was established. But one fact has stayed the same: Lehigh’s trusted alumni and friends know how to make a difference on campus. They’ve helped usher in new colleges and exciting programs, broken ground for new buildings, and have even paved the way in welcoming a diverse group of Lehigh students to campus. This is leadership in action.
Leadership support sustains financial aid, launches innovative programs like Soaring Together, and funds experiential learning on campus and around the globe. Collectively, these efforts keep Lehigh moving forward and looking ahead to its future.
Our team is ready to help you explore opportunities that turn your philanthropic goals and personal passions into direct impact at Lehigh. We invite you to see how others inspire and fuel such progress by reading the GO Campaign Impact Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
The people of Lehigh are known for diving in and taking action to get the job done. No one exemplifies this mindset more than our Asa Packer Society donors, and these changes ensure our recognition of their dedication will remain at the front lines as we all give our best efforts for Lehigh.
The Asa Packer Society threshold for recognition had not been revisited since its founding in 1967. Since then, costs of meeting our core values and addressing Lehigh’s mission-critical needs have increased.
Asa Packer Society donors are recognized for cumulative cash gifts of $10,000 or more over the course of the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
New thresholds apply to gifts that come in after July 1, 2023. If you met the previous threshold prior to this date, you are still in the Asa Packer Society until July 1, 2024.
You can make a gift of any amount at any time in the way that best suits you.
- You can make an online gift.
- You can also set up a recurring gift or payroll deduction.
- Send a check by mail to:
Lehigh University Office of Development and Alumni Relations
Attn: Gift Processing
306 South New Street, Suite 500
Bethlehem, PA 18015-1652 - Call (866) 758-2586, Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., or Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Please call the Office of Finance and Administration at (610) 758-3179 for wire transfer guidance.
Absolutely. We rely on our alumni and friends to use every possible method to maximize their giving. To learn if your organization participates in matching philanthropic gifts, visit our Matching Gifts webpage.
Lehigh automatically grants recognition to spouses. If you have questions, please contact Roma Narkhede at (610) 758-2822 or email ron222@lehigh.edu.
We are committed to honoring your recognition preference. You may designate your giving as public or anonymous, or you may indicate that some gifts are anonymous and others are public.
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Absolutely. Our staff are happy to answer your questions. Simply call Roma Narkhede at (610) 758-2822 or email ron222@lehigh.edu and allow a little time for a response. We look forward to speaking with you.
Check out our loyalty, leadership, lifetime, and legacy recognition programs to discover a variety of options to further your philanthropic journey with Lehigh University.