2024: Lehigh Year-In-Review

It was a year of growth for Lehigh, which saw the addition of a new inter-college undergraduate degree in integrated business and health, new college leadership and national recognition for expanded diversity, inclusion and equity efforts.

Ongoing projects, such as the Clayton University Center renovation, generated nostalgia among alumni who remember their time attending clubs, classes and social events in the building, which has been a centerpiece of campus for more than 150 years. The building will reopen ahead of schedule in January 2025, and the Grand Opening Celebration and Building Dedication is planned for the fall.

These developments are among our top stories of 2024.

1. Lehigh Launches New Inter-college Undergraduate Degree in Integrated Business and Health

Starting in the fall, undergraduate students will be able to enroll in a new inter-college, interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Health and the College of Business. The new program aligns with Lehigh’s strategic planning goal of providing a deeply interdisciplinary education and will prepare graduates to contribute to the business side of health and healthcare, becoming leaders in the health industry.

2. New Leadership for Lehigh’s Colleges

Manoj K. Malhotra was installed as the Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean for Lehigh’s College of Business this past fall, following the retirement of former Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips who served two five-year appointments. In addition, Robin Hojnoski was named the College of Education’s acting dean for two years after Bill Gaudelli, who is also the senior vice provost for educational innovation and assessment, took a two-year sabbatical to focus on university-wide projects to enhance adoption of innovative educational approaches.

3. Nationally Renowned Speakers Visit Campus

Nationally renowned speakers visited campus this year as part of the Compelling Perspectives series, which encourages open conversation and models respectful discourse on challenging topics. The 2024-2025 topic is the role of media in contemporary society. The first speaker in this academic year’s series was Katie Couric, a veteran journalist who was also former anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” and co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show. Pulitzer Prize-winning news editor Marty Baron ’76 ’76G ’14H was the second speaker in December. A third speaker will be announced soon. In addition, Scott Willoughby ’89, program manager for NASA’s James Webb telescope, delivered the address during Lehigh’s 156th Commencement.

4. Clayton University Center Renovation Uncovers History, Creates Nostalgia

Renovations underway at the Clayton University Center at Packer Hall uncovered a fifth-floor room with etchings on the walls thought to be past professors, student initials and numbers. It turns out some of the etchings were ham radio call signs left by Lehigh’s former Amateur Radio Society—a club started 100 years ago. Other interesting artifacts discovered during renovation include old student ID cards, hand-cut nails from the 1800s, soda bottles and fossils. The items underscore the long history of the building as the heart of campus. It will reopen in January, with a Grand Opening Celebration and Building Dedication planned for the fall.

5. Lehigh Nationally Recognized for Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

For the sixth consecutive year, Lehigh was named a recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, and for the first time this year, was designated a Diversity Champion. The designation is given to a select few institutions around the country who are leaders in modeling diversity, inclusion and equity on their campuses. Earlier this year, Lehigh Libraries also received the inaugural Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award. The LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ programs, policies and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion and equity across their campus and surrounding community. The three awards are given by Insight into Diversity magazine.

6. Applications for the Class of 2028 Set Admissions Record

With more than 20,000 applications for the Class of 2028, up 11% from 2023, Lehigh had a record-setting year for admitted applicants. In line with those record-breaking numbers, enrollment in mechanical engineering hit record highs as did students interested in studying abroad.