Founder's Weekend
Each October since 1879, Lehigh has commemorated Founder Asa Packer with a campus celebration. Check back here for updates as the date approaches.

Asa Packer wears a lot of hats during university events.
Lehigh History & Our Founder, Asa Packer
Lehigh University’s history is inherently linked to America’s rise as an industrial power. Our founder, the industrial pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Asa Packer, laid the foundation for a university that has since educated generations of students and served as a force of positive societal change. Learn more about our history.
Founder's Weekend Recap
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Founder's Weekend 2022 Highlights

Iacocca Leadership Speaker Series
The Iacocca Institute presented Sylvia Acevedo, a trailblazing entrepreneur, business leader, and engineer who started her career working in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and most recently served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. A believer in the transformative power of education, Acevedo joined Richard Verma ’90, former U.S. ambassador to India and Lehigh trustee.

Founder’s Weekend Festival
The Lehigh community celebrated Asa Packer and his legacy at this come-one-come-all festival, complete with food trucks, student entertainment, and plenty of Lehigh tradition.

Leadership Recognition Dinner
A special evening to celebrate exceptional members of the Lehigh University community, recognize the inductees of Leadership Plaza, and honor recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Health, Science & Technology Building Open House
President Helble and Provost Urban celebrated the Health, Science, and Technology building, Lehigh's newest research facility, home to the College of Health, and the largest building the university has ever built.

Jewish Student Center Building Dedication
The Lehigh community dedicated the new Jewish Student Center building and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of the first Hillel house.

Pace the Prez
President Joseph J. Helble ’82 and members of the Lehigh community gathered a four-mile round-trip run in South Bethlehem and Lehigh’s Asa Packer Campus.

Founder’s Weekend Tailgate
Lehigh Women's and Men's soccer fans gathered for a family-friendly tailgate for refreshments and fun.