For five generations, the Van Deusen family has shared a powerful connection to Lehigh University, a bond that has spanned over a century. Starting with George Mervine’s graduation in 1905 and continuing through John Hatfield’s recent graduation in 2023, Lehigh has been at the center of the family’s educational and professional journeys. Through their experiences, each generation has not only shaped their own lives but also carried forward a remarkable legacy at Lehigh.
John “Dutch” Van Deusen ’61 ’89P : "Lehigh Was Always Front and Center"
John “Dutch” Van Deusen, a 1961 graduate with a B.S. in business management, fondly recalls how Lehigh was always the natural choice for his family. “My grandfather, George Mervine, graduated from Lehigh. I don’t remember him talking about Lehigh that much, but I knew he had been there. My father, Albert Van Deusen, was also an alumnus, Class of ’33,” he shares.
Growing up in West Orange, New Jersey, Dutch says Lehigh was "always the logical choice as far as where we should go." The tradition was a strong one, and when it came time for his daughter, Kathy, to choose a college, he encouraged her to follow in his footsteps.
After graduating from Lehigh, Dutch pursued a diverse career. He worked for Mellon Bank before entering the Navy's Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. After serving four years, he transitioned to the elevator industry, eventually founding his own company, Van Deusen Associates, which became the largest elevator consulting firm in the world. Reflecting on his time at Lehigh, John says, “I grew up in the four years I attended Lehigh — it was a maturation process that I continued in the Navy.”
Kathy Van Deusen Hatfield ’89 ’23P: "Lehigh Felt Like Home"
Kathy continued the family’s Lehigh tradition, earning her B.A. in international relations in 1989. “My dad loved Lehigh — it was a big part of our lives. My parents’ best friends were from Lehigh, and I felt very comfortable there — it was like being at home. It never really occurred to me to go anywhere else,” she explains.
Her experience at Lehigh was one of instant belonging. “When I got to Lehigh, it was very inclusive. I knew some of the children of my parents’ friends who were there, so I hit the ground running,” she recalls. “My closest friends today are those I made at Lehigh freshman year.”
Kathy now runs her own law firm in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, and attributes much of her success to the skills she honed during her time at Lehigh. “What I gained at Lehigh was the ability to talk to anyone in any social situation. That has helped me be a good attorney and litigator.”
She also reflects on the strong connection she has with her father through Lehigh. “Our Lehigh experience is something my dad and I will always share and that my son John will always share with his grandfather. It’s very special.”
"I knew that Lehigh ran deep in our family’s blood, which is why I wanted to continue the family legacy.”
John Hatfield ’23: "Continuing the Tradition"
Kathy’s son, John Hatfield, is the latest in the family line to graduate from Lehigh, earning his B.S. in finance in 2023. For John, continuing the family legacy at Lehigh felt like a natural progression. “It was a little bit of influence from both my mother and my grandfather,” he says. “There was definitely an expectation to continue the tradition, as it was a big part of my mother’s and grandfather's lives. I knew that Lehigh ran deep in our family’s blood, which is why I wanted to continue the family legacy.”
John’s time at Lehigh was shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID happened my first year. I went home after spring break, then wound up staying home the rest of freshman year and my entire sophomore year,” he recalls. Despite the disruption, his experience was enriched by time spent studying abroad his junior year at the London School of Economics.
His unusual college experience taught John flexibility and to “take life day by day.” He is now working on a startup focused on using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the well-being of students. “COVID was a test of our country's mental health, and I am now exploring ways to mitigate the disruptive mental health consequences of the pandemic.”
A Legacy of Learning and Growth
The Van Deusen family’s five-generation history at Lehigh is a remarkable testament to the lasting impact of education. From George Mervine’s graduation in 1905 to John Hatfield’s in 2023, Lehigh has been more than just a school — it has been a place of growth, connection, and tradition.
As Dutch Van Deusen reflects, “Lehigh was always front and center as a college choice,” and for good reason. The university has not only shaped the lives of five generations of the Van Deusen family but also created a legacy that continues to inspire and guide future generations.
