Lehigh Celebrates its Sesquicentennial

Lehigh University is celebrating its Sesquicentennial!  Founded in 1865 by Asa Packer, Lehigh University has been gracing South Mountain now for 150 years.  Asa Packer’s goal for the University was to aid the “intellectual and moral improvement” of the Lehigh Valley (see Sesquicentennial timeline here.)  Its graduates now reach far beyond the Lehigh Valley.  Ten-percent of its current student body is international while it also sends students abroad through the Lee Iacocca internship program and a large number of other global study opportunities.

Lehigh has been reigning in its sesquicentennial with concerts such as the Lehigh Block Party, surprise gourmet dinners for students ala Diner en Blanc, and preparing for the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry game.  An online countdown was launched to spotlight 150 different important moments at Lehigh in preparation for the anniversary.

A number of academic projects were created, too. There is the digital project “Still Looking For You” where people can contribute photos with written memories that describe historical Bethlehem.  The Leadership Breakfast Program is an opportunity for executives and professionals to meet over breakfast once a month and learn new leadership skills.  Lehigh University is also bringing distinguished lecturers to campus, such as Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children’s Zone, whom will be speak about school reform in the United States.

Students are reveling in the festivities on campus!  We have to say, for being 150 years old, Lehigh still looks good!