The future is bright for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. With the launch of several engineering-centric University Research Centers and the Freed robotics lab, as well as the February announcement of Lehigh’s designation as an R1 research institution, there are a multitude of new pathways for Lehigh Engineering students to learn, explore, and make their mark beyond Lehigh.
Capping off a winter of exciting announcements, Lewis (Lew) Hay III ’77 ’08P ’11P and Sherry A. Hay ’78 ’08P ’11P have made a commitment of $7.5 million to create an endowed deanship for the college that will enable new opportunities for students and faculty.
Stephen P. DeWeerth, professor and dean of Rossin College, will formally be installed as the Lew and Sherry Hay Dean of Engineering as part of the university’s Founder’s Weekend in October.
"The Hays’ generosity represents a transformative investment in the future of Lehigh engineering education and innovation," DeWeerth says. "It empowers us to attract visionary leaders, drive groundbreaking research, and create even more opportunities for Lehigh to shape the next generation of engineers. This enduring support from the Hay family enhances our ability to address global challenges, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive excellence across all of our programs.”
What is Lehigh Engineering’s formula for success? Check out the top five things you should know about Rossin College and find out!
Real-world application is a focus from day one. The College of Engineering’s absolute game changer is the First Year Rossin Experience (FYRE) — a total redesign of how it welcomes new engineers into the fold. The FYRE faculty committee envisions a world where incoming students learn fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, calculus, engineering, and computing, while simultaneously understanding how those subjects relate to each other and how they can be applied to real-world engineering problems. The FYRE vision gives students the opportunity to find their niche before declaring a major by diving in, exploring, and consulting with faculty mentors and advisers.
Hands-on learning is a priority. Rossin College continues to strengthen the student experience by investing in student clubs and groups in such fields as racing, robotics, and aerospace and in networking and research experiences through professional societies and chapters across our departments and programs. The goal is to have 100% of students engage in meaningful experiential learning during their education at Lehigh!
- Its faculty serves students beyond the classroom. Lehigh is that rare school where faculty researchers renowned in their fields also actively teach and advise both graduate and undergraduate students. As leaders in their fields, they are able to mentor and engage students in solving major societal challenges through innovative classroom experiences and team-based science in diverse areas such as catastrophe modeling, marine energy, research commercialization and translation, community electrification, and assistive technologies, just to name a few. Lehigh Engineering faculty members foster a collaborative and inclusive learning environment, providing unique opportunities for students to participate in transformative research experiences. Many have also been recognized for their innovative ideas and the impact of their research. Just recently, one junior faculty member earned the prestigious NSF CAREER Award, several mid-career professors were honored by the National Academy of Inventors, and a distinguished senior professor earned the highest accolade in the field — membership in the hallowed National Academy of Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering Professor David Angstadt ’87 ’01G ’04 Ph.D. shakes hands with representatives from TE Connectivity and Broughal Middle School. It’s called to serve the community as a catalyst of change. Through interactive classroom experiences, hands-on projects, and industry partnerships, students receive an expansive education that combines theory with practical application. On top of that, community and corporate partnerships provide opportunities to get involved. This “learning through service” approach offers outreach that challenges students to confront real-world challenges and make a lasting impact that changes lives. The Lehigh STEM Squad is just one exciting way that the college is connecting the Lehigh campus to the Bethlehem community and beyond.
Check out episode 30 of the Rossin Connection podcast to hear from members of Lehigh’s engineering faculty as well as a local science teacher about the work they do as part of the STEM Squad — and why they believe it can truly change lives.
Its alumni are — and always have been — true future makers. College of Engineering alums have a long history of stepping up to solve problems and create solutions. Lehigh Engineering has proudly produced innovators behind the James Webb Space Telescope, the 2010 rescue of the Chilean miners, the invention of the escalator, the rebirth of the Chrysler Corporation, and the development of the "J-integral" in the science of fracture mechanics … and the list goes on and on.
Students explore robotic design in the Freed Family Robotics Design Studio in Wilbur Powerhouse While Rossin College alumni have a strong legacy of contributing to new ideas through problem-solving innovation, they also continually return to Lehigh to propel progress at its root. With Engineering alums President Joseph Helble ’82 and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Vincent Forlenza ’75 leveraging their leadership to unlock interdisciplinary opportunities across campus and the Hay family gift positioned to fuel the next generation of engineers, the strong alumni network of industry experts and leaders are helping by funding new opportunities. New facilities like the Freed Family Robotics Design Studio (made possible through a donation from trustee Drew Freed '83 '17P) and the Electronics Design Studio (courtesy of Ron Nersesian ’82) offer new places where students can bring their ideas to life.
Follow everything that’s happening with the Rossin College by visiting its news page, where you can sign up for the newsletter, check out the podcast, and follow updates on social media.
To extend its powerful legacy of leadership through the next generation of innovators, the Rossin College needs the support of its community as never before. Please give now or contact Danté Rossetti, director of development for the College of Engineering, to learn about other initiatives or ways to get involved and support the Rossin College mission!
