Champion wrestler, scholarship recipient, extraordinary volunteer, Hall of Famer, and alumni leader, Mike Caruso ’67 said it best at this year’s annual Tower Society meeting, held September 28 in the Wood Dining Room in Iacocca Hall.
“Lehigh's focus then, as it is now, has always been on preparing students to lead lives of impact by providing them with a transformational educational experience,” says Caruso. “Think about that. Everybody in this room has been a beneficiary of that.”
Caruso, who has served as the chair of the Tower Society since 2010, ended his tenure and handed the reins to incoming chair Kevin Clayton ’84 ’13P. This transition was part of the focus at the annual meeting.
“Without a scholarship, I couldn't have attended Lehigh and benefited from an experience that changed the course of my life,” says Caruso. “I have lived a storybook life, and I credit Lehigh and Lehigh Wrestling.”
Caruso has passed that opportunity on. Over the course of his 32-year Tower Society membership, Caruso has created three scholarships, one honoring his father, one honoring his late wife and sister, and another honoring his wrestling coach.
“This list of extraordinary generosity does not even capture the full complement of what he has done for Lehigh,” says Lorraine Wiedorn ’84G ’13P ’17P, assistant vice president for planned giving and family philanthropy. “The depth and breadth of his commitment to the Tower Society illustrate his belief in making a lasting impact in the lives of students, both those on campus today and the students of tomorrow.”
The annual meeting offered a moment to hear more about today and tomorrow as President Joseph J. Helble ’82 discussed university plans and recent achievements, and Nathan Urban, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, shared an update on the strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers.
Helble began his remarks with a note of thanks. Like Caruso, he too was a scholarship recipient.
“Without a scholarship, I could not have attended Lehigh,” said Helble. “So your engagement and support as Tower Society members are deeply meaningful to me not only as Lehigh's president but as someone who benefited directly as a student so many years ago from the generosity of the Lehigh community, without which my life and my career would not have been possible. So thank you.”
Helble went on to outline the extraordinary moments Lehigh has had over the past year: a record number of applications, the launch of the Lehigh Commitment to make the university accessible to all talented students, the growth in research funding and expenditure, and rankings.
“This is Lehigh’s moment,” he said. “And we remain committed to developing new interdisciplinary programs, focusing on educational innovation, and supporting student outcomes.”
Urban continued that discussion around the strategic plan and more specifically, research.
“Research is a key driver of institutional reputation,” says Urban. “That success and reputation are fundamentally linked to the idea that great universities make the future, hence our strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers.”
He explained how Lehigh is making the future in two ways: by educating and preparing students who go on to impact the world through their work and by supporting faculty-led research that prompts innovation and discoveries.
He cited the new Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience as an example that could address and possibly alter or prevent the terrible circumstances from Hurricane Helene and other large-scale environmental events.
Urban listed some work being done by Lehigh faculty like designing more efficient cities, advancing semiconductors, pioneering quantum computing technologies, teaching children with autism, and developing assistive technologies.
Of course, students are involved in that work as well.
“In an increasingly knowledge-driven economy, it's important for students to see how knowledge is being created firsthand, how it's being tested and propagated, and how they can participate in this process,” says Urban.
Those in attendance had a few questions for Urban, and then Helble returned to the podium for a special presentation in honor of Caruso’s service.
During his tenure as chair, $329 million was added to the principal of the endowment through philanthropy.
“Mike, you had a storied career as a national champion wrestler, but the greatest accomplishments that you have made came after your graduation,” says Helble. “As the new president, you served me as an adviser, a counselor, and champion of fundraising. You stand as a pillar of our philanthropic community.”
Caruso then handed the leadership baton to Clayton, but he paused to thank a few people, including Clayton’s father, Bill ’51, who served as a mentor and an example of Lehigh dedication and leadership.
“In speaking about tradition, Kevin learned from his father, Bill, what it meant to serve Lehigh,” says Caruso. “Kevin’s been involved since his student days and has held every volunteer position as an alumnus. He and his wife, Lisa, have done so much for Lehigh by creating endowed scholarships as well as the College of Business deanship and the magnificent renovation of the Clayton University Center. Kevin represents the next generation of philanthropists who will take Lehigh to even greater heights.”
Clayton joined Caruso at the podium to accept his new charge.
“I had the great opportunity to grow up with some of the icons who have impacted this campus today,” says Clayton. “Names like Harry Martindale ’27, Donald Stabler ’30, and Theodore Diamond ’37. They've all had a huge influence on why I give back and why we love this institution as much as we do. This is a tremendous place, and it has unbelievable momentum right now.”
