Student Life at Lehigh

Lehigh students live on a breathtaking campus surrounded by intelligent and inspiring peers and mentors. They explore their interests—and discover new ones— both on and off campus, in Bethlehem and abroad. And they certainly don’t run out of things to do—Lehigh bustles with activity and opportunity throughout the year.

Extracurricular Participation

91%

of Lehigh undergraduate students participate in an extracurricular activity

Clubs and Organizations at Lehigh

200+

150+ clubs, including 41 intramural and club sports and 22 fraternities and sororities

International Cuisine

15+

international cuisines within walking distance

Population of Lehigh Valley

820K

population of Lehigh Valley

A lively crowd of people cheering and raising their hands in front of a building with large windows. The building has "LEHIGH" written across the top.

Clubs & Organizations

With more than 200 clubs and organizations, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. Options range from professional and academic organizations to intramural and club sports to performing arts and political clubs—and if you can’t find your niche, you’ll have the resources to create your own.

Resources & Support

Lehigh offers resources to help you succeed and plenty of friendly faces ready to lend a hand. Beginning with orientation, the Office of First-Year Experience provides guidance for your academic and social transition, and the Dean of Students Office is committed to supporting your intellectual and personal development throughout your college career. You’ll also find nationally recognized welcoming spaces across campus—the Center for Gender Equity, the Chaplain’s Office, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Pride Center and the Office of Student Access and Success—that facilitate connections and community building.

People dressed in various costumes, including a Santa outfit and a green elf, are participating in a race with homemade soapbox cars resembling beds. Spectators watch from behind barricades at nighttime, and the area is well-lit with artificial lights.

Spirit Week

The week leading up to the Lehigh-Lafayette football game is considered a favorite amongst the entire campus community. Students take place in new and 150+-year old traditions, and campus is full of school spirit.

Bed Races: Students form teams, decorate beds and drag race them down the length of Memorial Walk in one of Lehigh’s most treasured and unique traditions.

Eco-flame: The Marching 97, Lehigh’s marching band, marches in and out of classrooms and other campus buildings playing Lehigh fight songs on the Friday of Spirit Week.

The Rivalry Game: The Lehigh-Lafayette game (or the Rivalry, as it’s known) is the most-played rivalry in college football—the schools have faced one another since 1884.

People are gathered in an open area at night. A large illuminated spherical object with blue and white swirls is in the foreground. A brightly lit, elaborate building with several towers and decorative lighting is visible in the background.

Arts

Zoellner Arts Center, a hub of creative expression for the university and the local community, features three theaters and is home to outstanding student productions open to any major. Zoellner Arts Center also hosts world-class speakers such as Pete Souza and David Sedaris, and houses Lehigh University Art Galleries, a teaching museum that maintains and develops the university’s world-class collection of more than 14,000 objects.

Athletics

Lehigh competes at the Division I level with a total of 25 sports for men and women, including football, wrestling, basketball, softball and swimming. This provides for a vibrant fan experience for all students as well as a first-class athletics program for student athletes.

You know you're a Lehigh student when...

you've been planning your team's bed race costumes for months.
you're best buddies with the Lehigh therapy dogs, Grace and Scout.
you've lost track of time studying under Linderman's rotunda.
you have calves of steel from the 2,600 stairs on campus.
your favorite sandwich is from The Goose's secret menu.
you think "Le-Laf" is the best week of the year.

Student Resources

Learning

Living

Activities and Community

Aerial view of South Side Bethlehem

Our College Town

Lehigh is located in Bethlehem, Pa., within the Lehigh Valley, which is the third-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Lehigh’s home in the SouthSide Arts District offers an eclectic blend of shops, services, restaurants and cafes. Take a walk on the South Bethlehem Greenway, enjoy a delicious lunch or from-scratch dessert, or visit the local movie houses or music venues.

Lehigh is a short drive or bus ride from Philadelphia and New York City, offering students ample opportunities for internships, networking events and fun excursions. More fun and adventure can be found within 30 minutes of campus – explore the great outdoors by hiking the Appalachian Trail, and camping and skiing in the Pocono Mountains.