Renovations to the iconic Clayton University Center (UC) at Packer Hall will create a dynamic environment for student life while preserving the building’s historic grandeur. Thank you to all the generous donors who are helping to make the Clayton UC a vibrant space for everyone in the Lehigh community.
It was a combination of Lehigh’s reputation and family legacy that brought Andrew Glancy ’07 to Lehigh from his home in Michigan. But it was his experiences as a student that spurred him to make a generous gift from The Glancy Foundation toward renovations of the Clayton UC.
Legacy and Reputation
Glancy’s great-grandfather, Alfred Glancy 1903, earned a degree in mechanical engineering and was later a distinguished Lehigh trustee known as “The General.” He also established the Alfred Noble Robinson Faculty Award.
Glancy family lore includes a story of a stranger-than-fiction twist in Alfred’s life. “My great-grandpa wrote his thesis at Lehigh on the automobile, concluding that it probably would turn out to be more of a rich man’s toy than something everyone could use,” Glancy laughs. “But then he went on to eventually become vice president of General Motors and head of the Pontiac division, so …”
Besides following in his great-grandfather’s footsteps, the younger Glancy was drawn to Lehigh because of its reputation as a great engineering school. “I love science and technology and was impressed by the great collection of electron microscopes. And it’s just a beautiful campus and a wonderful place,” he says.
Glancy loved the interdisciplinary nature of Lehigh, where “you’ve got engineers, business majors, and liberal arts students together. That’s a great combination and makes Lehigh unique amid schools that are focused on a less diverse curriculum.”
After receiving a B.A. in science, technology and society and a minor in science and technical writing, Glancy got his first job through a Lehigh career fair. “There was an alum, George Kledaras ’87, who was looking for people to work for his electronic trading startup. All these years later, I’m still working in financial services, trading, and technology.”
Supporting Community Service
Working at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Glancy rose to the position of lead software engineer. He was also captain of the NYSE charity cycling team, raising funds for Wall Street Rides FAR for Autism Research. He serves on the board of Korean K9 Rescue, an organization that rescues and rehomes shelter dogs from South Korea to the United States.
At present, Glancy is taking time to care for his mother, who has been stricken with Alzheimer’s since 2015. He is also a trustee, along with his sister, Jody, of The Glancy Foundation. In recognition of the foundation’s gift to the Clayton UC renovations, a plaque will be placed outside the Community Service office, a location that holds special meaning for Glancy.
“I think it’s important for Lehigh to do outreach to the greater community. I did some community service at Lehigh, and I honestly think it was one of the things that helped build my maturity. I remember packing lots of boxes of canned goods for a food drive around the holidays.”
Glancy is happy to be part of the Clayton UC renovations. “University Center is one of the most iconic locations on campus and such a beautiful place — I get a little emotional just remembering walking past it,” he says. “I hope the revamped Clayton UC gets students out of their dorm rooms, talking with each other, meeting new people, and learning new things.”
Life-changing Lehigh
Lehigh made a difference in Glancy’s life by way of great friendships and instilling a good work ethic. “I had a tough high school experience, so I was really shy when I started at Lehigh. But by the time I graduated, I was well-adjusted and had built a nice friend group. Lehigh certainly changed my life in immeasurable ways.”
One of his favorite Lehigh memories was made when Glancy and a few classmates joined a group called YesRide in the spring of 2006. They bicycled across the United States and raised over $60,000 for five different charities. ”It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” he says. “It opened my mind to so many experiences and opportunities.”
Glancy attributes his own success, as well as that of his family, to Lehigh. “All of the important things in my life came from the foundation that I got from Lehigh. I don’t know if my family would be where we are today without Lehigh, thanks to my great-grandfather’s legacy. I’m sure he had a similar experience to mine — one that changed his life.”
