Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008 - (Page 2)

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK A TIME OF TRANSFORMATION AT LEHIGH This is a time of transformation on Old South Mountain as Lehigh University evolves to meet the needs of a world experiencing unprecedented challenges. On May 19, I was honored to participate in Lehigh’s 140th commencement exercises. We sent some 1,200 graduates, transformed by their Lehigh experience, on their way to change the world. Lehigh itself is undergoing a transformation that is just as profound as that experienced by the Class of 2008. May 16, 2008 was a transformational day when the university received the largest gift in its 143-year history: $34.2 million from the estate of Donald B. Stabler, Class of 1930. Mr. Stabler was a successful businessman who dedicated his life to leadership and service in true Lehigh fashion. His generosity and enduring legacy will make it possible for countless deserving students to realize their dreams and learn at an institution like Lehigh. More importantly, armed with what they have learned at Lehigh, the Stabler Scholars will make a discernable difference in the world. Although Lehigh has changed a great deal over the years, one constant remains: Providing ﬁnancial aid to academically qualiﬁed students who lack the financial means to attend remains our number one priority, and this will remain true well over 100 years from now. Support from many, many alumni and friends like Mr. Stabler is the foundation that made possible our recent decision to enhance our ﬁnancial aid programs. Beginning with the 2008 academic year, we will eliminate loans in financial aid packages of students whose families have an annual income less than $50,000 and will reduce the loan amount in the ﬁnancial aid package for students whose family annual income is between $50,000 and $75,000. We hope that this will send a strong message to prospective students and their families that a Lehigh education is an achievable goal regardless of their ﬁnancial circumstances. There is another important transformation taking place at Lehigh. The university transformed its physical footprint with the purchase, in 1986, of the 800-acre Mountaintop Campus and again in 1988, when Lehigh boldly moved the football stadium from Taylor Stadium to the Murray H. Goodman Campus, enabling construction of the Rauch Business Center and the Zoellner Arts Center. We are now actively engaged in transforming the intellectual footprint of the university. This means that we are applying the best thinking of the Lehigh community to determine how we will educate the next generation of leaders, and drive the creation of new ideas. We are setting goals for Lehigh for the coming decade. We are asking ourselves questions such as: How can we have the very best faculty and staff to be at the forefront of distinguished universities? How can we enhance our distinctive student life and learning experience? How should we increase research and graduate programs to respond to vital challenges? And, how will Lehigh and its graduates help solve the world’s most intractable problems? Everyone in the campus community has been invited to partici2 lehigh alumni bulletin Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler, at the dedication of the Stabler Athletic and Convocation Center on Dec. 1, 1979. pate in this strategic thinking process and contribute his or her ideas and thoughts. The goal is to benefit from the creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and futuristic ideas that faculty and staff members bring to these important discussions. Let me assure you, however, that there are some things that will not change during the transformation. The first is Lehigh’s fundamental mission to “advance learning through integration of teaching, research, and service.” We will also continue to adhere to fundamental core values that are important to Lehigh: commitment to excellence, integrity and honesty, equitable community, academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, collaboration and leadership. This summer, the Lehigh University Board of Trustees and campus leaders will discuss and refine our goals and chart our course for transforming Lehigh’s intellectual footprint. I hope you share in the enthusiasm of Lehigh’s intellectual transformation. Alice P. Gast, President PHOTO COURTESY OF LEHIGH UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008

Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008 Contents From the President's Desk Mailbox On Campus Research Arts & Culture Sports Alumni News Cover Story: In Galileo's Wake Technically Funny The Healing Game Looking for America The Last Word

Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008

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