Spotlight: Zach Vinik ’20

Vinik, who, as a junior, was executive board president of the Student Senate for the 2018-2019 academic year, received the walking stick from President John D. Simon ’19P.

Simon used social media to document the moment, posting a photo with Vinik on Instagram. “Congratulations Zach Vinik, Student Senate Chair, for your strong leadership this academic year,” Simon wrote. “It was an honor to give you your Asa Packer walking stick, Lehigh’s symbol for leadership.”

The Student Senate is a body composed of 55 students who represent all of Lehigh’s living groups in voicing the undergraduate community’s concerns. Vinik also is involved on campus with SPEAK, The Pride Center and the Computer Science Department.

A chestnut replica of the stick that Lehigh’s founder often walked with is given by the president to student leaders to recognize those who publicly represent the university as models of leadership, wisdom and accomplishment. Packer is depicted with the cane on campus in two portraits as well as the life-sized sculpture in Leadership Plaza.