Scholarships are crucial to a student’s education – just ask Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 and sophomore Nicholas Barros ’24, both recipients of the Clarence B. Campbell Scholarship. Helble and Barros had a conversation about their experiences as part of Lehigh University’s Scholarship Celebration held on April 26, an event designed to bring students and donors together.
As guests shared dinner and conversation, Barros was introduced by video and then invited by Helble to the stage to share his story of finding his way to Lehigh after growing up in Cape Verde.
Barros explained his search to find an engineering school in the U.S. that would provide the financial aid necessary to make his education possible. He originally was accepted and began to attend a public university in Massachusetts, where family members live, but was disappointed to find that the financial commitment necessary was beyond him.
“I left and began to search for prestigious universities that offered good scholarships. Lehigh popped up,” Barros said. “When I got here and first saw my name on the door, I thought, ‘OK, now I’m in college.’”
Sharing Experiences
Helble and Barros also compared notes about becoming Gryphons — Lehigh residence hall advisors — to help fund their educational expenses but said they gained much more than money through their experiences.
“For me, becoming a Gryphon was about being part of this community and giving back,” Helble said. “It was an opportunity for leadership, and the financial aid part was a very important component.”
Barros concurred. “Becoming a Gryphon was the best decision I’ve made here so far, both financially and for the opportunities it’s granted me. I wasn’t expecting that I would love my residents. I want to be there for them. I am growing personally from those experiences.”
Helble agreed that the friendships and connections to the Lehigh community he made because of his role as a Gryphon have been profoundly moving to him throughout the years. He said a highlight of the evening was meeting Raymond Campbell, son of the late Clarence B. Campbell — for whom Helble’s and Barros’ scholarship was named — and his wife, Bonny, who were in attendance.
The two discussed Barros’ medal-winning performance in freestyle football (soccer), which he hasn’t had much time for lately since his academic and Gryphon duties take up a great deal of his schedule. In one of the more humorous moments in the conversation, Helble tried to entice Barros to join him on his weekly Tuesday 6:30 a.m. runs on campus, to which all students are invited.
“Students actually show up?” Barros quipped.
“Yes, they do!” Helble retorted, laughing. “Wait a minute — I’m asking the questions here!”
An Expression of Thanks
Discussing what a Lehigh education had given him, Helble said it not only opened doors for him, but also showed him doors he didn’t even know existed. “It truly opened the world to me.” He asked Barros what Lehigh had given to him and what he wanted to do in the future.
Barros, a computer engineering major, said he hopes to work in an area related to robotics and computer engineering after graduation. “One thing I would love to do with this opportunity I’ve been given at Lehigh is to one day do just what these donors here tonight have done — give back what I was given to help other students.”
To those donors, Barros offered his thanks on behalf of all the scholarship recipients in attendance. “From my heart, thank you for supporting our dreams and opening doors for us.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees Kevin Clayton ’84 ’13P, himself a generous donor and supporter of endowed scholarships, thanked scholarship donors for their unwavering generosity. “All of you donors are part of a tremendously generous community that supports Lehigh students,” he said. “On a night like tonight, it’s a pleasure to spend time with our scholars. I hope you enjoy, as we do, the chance to connect with Lehigh students and today’s university. That’s why we do what we do and why we are here.”
President Joseph J. Helble ’82 also expressed his appreciation. “To all of you who have supported the education of our students through the decades — thank you. It truly is an extraordinary gift that you’ve provided to Lehigh.”
Clarence B. Campbell Scholarship
The Clarence B. Campbell Scholarship was created in 1975 by the Gryphon Society in honor of Clarence “Bob” Campbell, dean emeritus of residence life. It is awarded with a preference to students who serve as Gryphons.
Campbell, a 1947 graduate alumnus, established the first Office of Financial Aid at Lehigh in 1953. He was an early advocate of coeducation, long before women were admitted to Lehigh. He became dean of residence halls in 1957, a position he held until his retirement in 1975. He passed away in 2001, but the scholarship named for him has supported 31 students since its inception.
Scholarship at Lehigh
Financial aid and scholarships support 50% of all Lehigh students. It is the number one priority of GO: The Campaign for Lehigh. Donor gifts have created 276 new endowed scholarship designations during the campaign to support Lehigh students from all backgrounds as they reach their greatest potential.