Leap Year Brings an Extra Day to Love Lehigh! — 29 Ways to Stay Connected

By Lisa Doyle February 27, 2024

Students are infamous procrastinators. But they aren’t alone. Community engagement and giving back can easily get sidelined among so many other schedules and responsibilities. If you have delayed taking the first steps to support or connect with the Lehigh community, fear not! Below are 29 very different ways to extend or begin your support as part of the alumni community.

  1. Bring the kids — There are so many opportunities to revisit your old stomping ground and give your family a glimpse of why Lehigh is so special. Family Weekend and Founders Weekend are just two examples of authentic Lehigh events on South Mountain filled with family-friendly activities for the entire community to enjoy together.
  2. Take action — Through Lehigh in Action (May 1–May 7), Lehigh alumni will make a difference by participating in community engagement projects across the country. Lehigh is looking for project leaders to host regional events. Two women dressed in Lehigh clothing smile as they help with boxing in a warehouse.
  3. Unlock the power of the strong Lehigh network — Lehigh Connects offers a digital network of alumni and students. By joining, you gain insights into opportunities for mentorship, career growth, and jobs.
  4. Like us! Really like us! — Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and help spread the events, news, and updates about Lehigh as an alumni advocate. Comment and like the posts that speak to you, and remember to tag us for anything Lehigh related.
  5. Plan your trip to Le-Laf #160 — Represent at Rivalry! Save the date for November 23, 2024. Come back for the game and experience the Alumni Tailgate with us! If you can’t come to campus, reach out about hosting a telecast event in your town.
  6. Connect … no matter where you are — From New York to San Francisco, Chicago to London, and everywhere in between, our 85,000 alumni are connected through Lehigh’s regional networks. 
  7. Online giving — It doesn’t get easier than this. Click, give, and carry on. You can choose a one-time gift, scheduled payments, or a monthly recurring gift through one simple form.
  8. Make your Sunday paper Brown & White — Instead of scrolling your standard internet news sites, subscribe to one or more of our many university publications. They are all online and full of amazing stories focused on the Lehigh community. Just a few include The Brown and White, the Alumni Bulletin, and newsletters and magazines from the Rossin College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Lehigh Business. 
  9. Connect through passions and professions — Find fellow alumni with similar professional interests, passions, or experiences that match your own. The Affinity and Alliance programs at Lehigh allow alumni to continue being active in initiatives that they are passionate about, extending their fulfilling Lehigh experience. 
  10. Host/attend a dinner — Dinners for 12 are designed to bring together alumni who might not otherwise meet. At these gatherings, alumni can share good food, a love of Lehigh, and a strong connection that develops by widening your inner circle to welcome new conversations on engaging topics.
  11. Reconnect at Reunion — Reunion Weekend is June 6-9, 2024, and registration opens in March. Visit the Lehigh alumni Reunion webpage for more information.
  12. Climb some stairs! — Find a needlessly long outdoor stairwell and start walking up. Remember that deep thigh burn and calf fatigue. Alumna dressed in brown cheers at a football game, reaches her arms in the air, and makes peace signs with both hands
  13. Watch a game — Tune into ESPN+ and watch Lehigh battle in a sport of your choice. Wear your brown and white and cheer at full strength.
  14. Don’t leave money on the table — Matching gifts brought in close to $2.26 million over the last three years to support Lehigh's mission. Double or triple the impact of your gift by leveraging a matching employer, and if your employer doesn’t currently match gifts to Lehigh, ask if it will.
  15. Meet next gen applicants — You will be impressed by the impressive students coming out of Lehigh. They are interested in opportunities to grow industry experience through internships and/or project-based work, interview practice, job shadowing and more. Contact The Center for Career and Professional Development to learn more.
  16. Nosh on nostalgia — Flavor is transportive, and every class has its own Lehigh food memories: ice cream at the UC, the Greeker at Pete’s Hot Dog Shop, and the popular Chicken Finger Fridays. Recreate your favorite at home, and reminisce about the people and moments you shared them with.
  17. Toot your own horn! — Contact us and let us know what you’ve been up to since graduation. Don’t be shy! We frequently feature alumni, highlighting their personal, professional, and niche interests and passions, and we want to hear from you. Or you can submit Class Notes for the Alumni Bulletin!
  18. Welcome the next generation — Sendoffs are an opportunity for the incoming class and parents to meet fellow students, parents, and alumni. You can attend a sendoff, or host one!
  19. Giving options beyond cash gifts — When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds you have held for more than one year, you can reduce or even eliminate your federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. 
  20. Join a council or board — Nominate a friend or volunteer yourself to carry the torch for Lehigh! Young Alumni Council and the Lehigh University Alumni Association help keep alumni engaged and involved with the University and the entire Lehigh family. Five alumni pose smiling and holding the flags for their class years at Rally.
  21. Rally for the new year! — Each September Rally kicks off the new school year and welcomes a new class of future alumni. We welcome volunteers to run the event and need at least one flag bearer to represent every class — why not stand for your class in 2024?
  22. Travel with Lehigh — Embark on your next adventure with fellow Lehigh alumni by your side. Visit far-away places while strengthening your connection to Lehigh. 
  23. Read a book with us — The alumni book club allows bibliophiles to connect virtually over great books. Alumni authors can also add their titles to our alumni bookshelf on GoodReads!
  24. Attend a Zoellner event — Support this Bethlehem treasure by following what’s happening at Zoellner Arts Center. The box office offers entertainment for all audiences: orchestra, dance, lecture, children’s theater, and more.
  25. Leave a legacy — Planned giving allows your donations to have a lasting impact at Lehigh. You can preserve your assets now and support Lehigh for years to come.
  26. Continue your education — Education is a lifelong pursuit, and Lehigh’s five colleges offer high-quality courses and programs that allow students of every age access to exceptional continuing education. Once Lehigh, always Lehigh. "Giving Day + March Mania: Combined Challenge for Lehigh" vector logo
  27. Mark your calendar! — Giving Day + March Mania is coming up, kicking off 48 hours of giving from March 26-27. This year, two great campaigns are combining forces to maximize impact for students. Or you can choose to give early.
  28. Update your info — Lehigh offers no shortage of engaging lectures, workshops, and panels, and most are available both live and virtually. Update your info with our Alumni Relations team to hear about everything first!
  29. Spread the Lehigh love! — The word is out about the value of a Lehigh education, resulting in a record number of applications in our admissions office. Continuing to build a community of future makers means ensuring the best applicants know about Lehigh.
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Flags spelling out "LEHIGH" are marched across the football field.

In This Image: Can't make it to the game? Tune into ESPN+ to cheer on Lehigh in the comfort of your own home.

Men greet each other at a networking event.

In This Image: Opportunities abound when you join Lehigh Connects where you can meet and network with fellow alumni and students.

An audience fills the room to attend a lecture at Zoellner.

In This Image: From concerts to conventions, attend one of the many events held at the renowned Zoellner Arts Center.

Fans stand and applaud in the stands at a football game wearing Lehigh attire.

In This Image: Wear your best Brown and White and root for the Mountain Hawks at Rivalry #160!

Alumni wearing Lehigh attire stand shoulder-to-shoulder and pose smiling for the camera

In This Image: Feel the Lehigh spirit soar across generations when you attend the annual Family Weekend on campus.

A mentor stands over the shoulders of two students seated with a blackboard behind them.

In This Image: Lehigh students have a passion for hands-on learning; check out the CCPD for students and grads looking for industry experience and mentorship.

Traveling alumni pose for a selfie overlooking a scenic landscape.

In This Image: A Lehigh sponsored trip with your fellow alumni is sure to provide life long memories.

A large group of alumni pose in front of a Johnson & Johnson mural.

In This Image: Network with fellow alums who share your passion by joining one of the many Affinity and Alliance programs at Lehigh.

Kids sit on a blanket on the lawn at Reunion 2014 eating ice cream.

In This Image: Ice cream treats and more family fun can be found at Reunion Weekend 2024.

Flag bearers march at Rally 2022.

In This Image: Represent your class year and show the incoming class what Lehigh pride is all about at September's 2024 Rally.