Founder's Weekend

September 20-22, 2024

Each fall since 1879, Lehigh has honored Founder Asa Packer with a campus celebration.

Asa Packer statue surrounded by fall foliage and plants

Lehigh History & Our Founder, Asa Packer

Since 1879 Lehigh has honored Founder Asa Packer with a campus celebration. This year we are celebrating Founder’s and Family Weekend together!

With this special event weekend right around the corner, now is the time to start planning your visit to Lehigh. The weekend-long event is filled with classic activities for our community to enjoy together, like the Brown and White BBQ, Lehigh Tailgate prior to the football game with Princeton, and Pumpkins and Power Tools. Don’t wait – registration closes on September 10!

Founders Weekend icon

 

Founder's Weekend Hotel Blocks

Comfort Suites
120 West 3rd Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610) 882-9700
Group Code: KS89T5

Fairfield Inn
2140 Motel Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 867-8681

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton – Bethlehem
200 Gateway Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 868-2442
Reserve Your Rooms

Hilton Garden Inn
1787-B Airport Road
Allentown, PA 18109
(610) 443-1400
Reserve Your Rooms

Holiday Inn - Allentown
4325 Hamilton Boulevard 
Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 366-1600
Group Code: LFF
Reserve Your Rooms

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Bethlehem
3375 High Point Boulevard
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 882-2255
Group Code: LFW
Reserve Your Rooms

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Hellertown
2201 Cherry Lane
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610) 838-6110
Group Code: LFW

Homewood Suites
2031 Avenue C 
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 264-7500
Group Code: 90H
Reserve Your Rooms

Sonesta Select
2160 Motel Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 317-6200
Group Code: 0920LEHIGH
Reserve Your Rooms

Sonesta ES Suites
2180 Motel Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 317-2662
Group Code: 0920LEHIGH
Reserve Your Rooms

SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Allentown/Bethlehem/Center Valley
3800 West Drive
Center Valley, PA 18034
(610) 709 - 9797
Reserve Your Rooms

Wind Creek Bethlehem
77 Wind Creek Boulevard
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(877) 726-3777
Reserve Your Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Weekend and Founder’s Weekend are two long-standing Lehigh traditions, this year being celebrated together. The entire Lehigh community is invited to attend.

Each fall since 1879, Lehigh has honored Founder Asa Packer with a campus celebration known as Founder’s Weekend.

Family Weekend is designed for parents, families, and friends to visit campus and experience what it's like to be a part of the Lehigh community. This is a great chance to visit your student in their environment, and learn about their academic and social experiences. This weekend is packed with many activities and programs for you to do together including an all-campus BBQ, tailgating with other families, and you can cheer on our Mountain Hawks at many of the athletic events occurring this weekend.

Some events require registration, including the Brown and White BBQ, Lehigh Tailgate, Color Splash Bash, and others. Registration for these in-person events closes September 10 (no refunds will be given after September 10). Many other events are open to all, and you may simply show up. Some require tickets, including the football game.

If an event requires registration, you will be prompted to select whether you and your party will be attending before you can complete the process.

Yes, for any events requiring registration, you and your student will need to be registered! Once you register for an event, you will receive a QR code in your confirmation email. Keep the QR code handy over the weekend – some events will require you to scan the QR code for entry.

Yes! Purchase your tickets for the football game in advance by visiting the Lehigh Tickets webpage. General admission is just $14* per person and free for Lehigh students with a Lehigh ID. Reserved chairback seats are $19*, and reserved bench seats are $17* for both Lehigh students and families. Reserved chairback and bench seats are limited, so purchase your tickets early! Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the Game Day Box Office at Goodman Stadium. For more questions, please email athleticstickets@lehigh.edu.

*Ticket fees are applied at the time of purchase.

Stop by the Welcome Center located at The Lehigh Store! The Welcome Center is the perfect place to start your weekend journey. We will have brochures for the weekend, resources, and Lehigh staff to welcome you. In addition, you can pick up your free Proud Lehigh Parent, Proud Lehigh Grandparent, or other family member buttons to wear with pride.

The Welcome Center is open Friday from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Family and Founder's Weekend registration is not required, and you will not need to show a QR code.

Family and Founder’s Weekend is open to the entire Lehigh community!

Whoever a student defines as family is welcome to participate in Family and Founder's Weekend. This may include — but is not limited to — parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

Students are welcome to register for the festivities even if their families are not attending.

Alumni are also invited to come back to campus for Family and Founder’s Weekend for events like the Brown and White BBQ, Lehigh Tailgate, and football game against Princeton University.

Events begin Friday, September 20. You may choose which events you would like to attend with your student. There is no obligation to attend every event. For events requiring registration, don’t forget to register your student as part of your party’s registration!

For a map with accessible entrances and parking areas, visit the Lehigh campus map and use the filter for Accessible Entrances and Parking (on the left-hand menu). You can zoom in using the + in the upper right-hand corner of the map. For more information, contact Disability Support Services at (610) 758-4152 or indss@lehigh.edu.

Please check our list of hotel blocks above and contact hotels directly with any questions.

We hope you’ll join us on Friday, September 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the free Brown and White BBQ on the Clayton University Center lawn featuring a variety of food options. Hopefully, we will see you on Saturday at Goodman Campus, where the Lehigh Tailgate and football game will have all kinds of game-day food available for purchase. And close out the weekend on Sunday with brunch at Rathbone Dining Hall between 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m!

If you're looking to dine off-campus, there are more than 15 different types of cuisine within walking distance of campus and even more dining options throughout the Bethlehem vicinity. There are also a number of Lehigh eateries open during the weekend.

Visit the Lehigh University Campus Map for directions and on-campus parking locations during Family and Founder's Weekend. Please note that if you park in a metered space on or off campus, you are responsible for paying the meter. We recommend downloading the Park Mobile App, as many of the meters are cashless.

Visit the bookstore in Farrington Square for all of your Lehigh University gear. For information, call 610-758-3375.

The Lehigh Store 
1 Farrington Square
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Hours:
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Interested in receiving the most up-to-date information on merchandise and sales? Sign up to receive emails from The Lehigh Store. When you sign up, you will receive 10% off your purchase.

If you would like information regarding spiritual places on campus and their hours or about spiritual counseling, contact the Chaplain’s Office at (610) 758-3877.

Lehigh's strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, sets forth ambitious goals that ensure the university delivers on its promise to innovate and make change happen. To fuel this strategic plan, GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers extends the university's campaign goal to $1.25 billion and invites alumni, parents, and friends to rally in support of this bold vision. Visit our Go Beyond webpage to learn more.