Lehigh University has announced that it has surpassed $1 billion in fundraising through GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers, a significant milestone on its path to achieving its $1.25 billion goal.
President Joseph J. Helble ’82 thanked donors and emphasized that each and every gift to Lehigh matters. “We are grateful to everyone who has made a gift during the campaign for their generosity and their example. The collective power of giving during GO Beyond has fundamentally changed the university and the lives of Lehigh students for the better.”
So far in the campaign, 63,449 alumni, parents, students, and friends have made gifts totaling $1,003,893,082, including:
- $296,253,932 for scholarships and financial aid, including 354 new endowed scholarships
- $284,759,111 for research, capital projects, and faculty support
- $422,880,039 for the student experience
- Lehigh has also exceeded our goal of engaging more than 50% of our contactable alumni, with a total of 53% (47,317 alumni) to date
Lehigh’s momentum in areas such as admissions recruitment and research, as well as the development of innovative academic programs and opportunities and services for students, is tied to philanthropic support.
“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone,” said Carol Packard, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. “Thank you to everyone who has chosen to make a difference at Lehigh. This progress reflects the tremendous pride of the Lehigh community and demonstrates how each of us can take action to uphold the people and experiences we care about through philanthropy.”
As part of the GO Beyond campaign, Lehigh alumni, parents, students, and friends have provided for scholarships, supported faculty and graduate student research, and made possible capital projects such as the renovated Clayton University Center at Packer Hall, the Business Innovation Building, the Health, Science, and Technology Building, and the Singleton, Hitch, and Maida Residential Houses. Contributions to the Lehigh Fund and donations made during Giving Day + March Mania offer resources for athletics, financial aid, international study, internships and experiential learning, the arts, and more.
Packard stressed that the campaign is not yet complete. “We have more work yet to do to fulfill our campaign goal of $1.25 billion,” she commented. “It’s inspiring to think about the impact the campaign has had so far, and I’m excited to think about everything we will make possible together in the future.”
Key initiatives for the remainder of the campaign include financial aid and scholarships, faculty and research support, student mental health and wellness, experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad and internships, and the development of innovative and interdisciplinary programs that will advance student outcomes. The Lehigh community is also invited to get involved in the campaign through volunteerism, career networking, student mentoring, and regional and campus events and programs.
