2023: Year in Review

In addition to the launch of a new strategic plan, 2023 was a year of firsts for Lehigh: a record number of applicants; Joseph J. Helble’s first international trip as Lehigh president; and a Lehigh Commitment to provide full tuition to undergraduate students from families with a total income less than $75,000,

The university launched its inaugural Compelling Perspectives speaker series and announced a new partnership with the Delaware Nation. Lehigh faculty advanced research, with the National Science Foundation awarding Lehigh $6 million to speed up translation of research to actual use. Here are some of the top stories of the year.

1. A Record Number of Applicants and a Commitment

In January, Lehigh saw a record number of applicants apply to be part of the Class of 2027. A new ranking formula by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse placed Lehigh at No. 14 in the country out of 400 schools, highlighting how attractive the school is to prospective students. And in a commitment to make a Lehigh education more accessible to talented students, the university announced it will provide a full tuition grant, scholarship or other waiver for undergraduate students from families with a total income of less than $75,000 beginning in Fall 2024.

2. President Joseph J. Helble ’82 Travels to Latin America

At the end of November, Helble took his first overseas trip as Lehigh president. He visited Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala and Panama to connect with alumni, students, families and international colleagues. His first stop was to give a lecture at Universidad San Francisco de Quito as part of the university’s Chancellor’s Lecture Series.

3. Groundbreaking Research and More to Come

Lehigh engineers, with support from the Department of Energy, developed a new thermal energy system, the Lehigh Thermal Battery. The thermal energy system is just one of many research projects undertaken at Lehigh this year with more to come. This month, the National Science Foundation awarded Lehigh $6 million to speed up translation of research in engineering, science, health, humanities, business education and other areas to actual use.

4. The Power of Community

With the help of his fraternity brothers, friends and family, Nic Altenderfer ’23 was able to return to Lehigh after suffering a life-threatening head injury in 2021 while skateboarding. His Sigma Phi Delta fraternity brothers acted quickly to take Nic to a local hospital. Nic had the support of his fraternity brothers, friends, family and community during his recovery and was able to return to Lehigh with a full course load in spring 2022. He graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and is now pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Lehigh.

5. Lehigh Launches Strategic Plan, ‘Inspiring the Future Makers’

In June, Lehigh launched its strategic plan, outlining a bold vision for the university over the next decade centered on breaking boundaries to address societal challenges, innovating in academics and research, and cultivating collaborations and partnerships that build community and amplify Lehigh’s global, national and regional impact. The plan will create a dynamic academic and research environment where the “future makers”—students, faculty, staff and alumni—are enabled to do their best work.

6. Theresa May Launches Lehigh's Compelling Perspectives

A capacity crowd filled Baker Hall in Zoellner Arts Center on Oct. 24 for the inaugural Compelling Perspectives program featuring The Rt. Hon. Theresa May, MP, prime minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019. Compelling Perspectives is a new program that aims to create a forum for fostering respectful discourse among differing perspectives on issues of critical and societal importance. Secretary Leon Panetta will be the program’s second speaker on Jan. 30.

7. Lehigh Opens New Business Innovation Building

The 74,000-square-foot building was designed with collaboration in mind. Classrooms, labs, conference rooms and meeting spaces fill the building’s first two floors, and the third floor is reserved for the Vistex Institute for Executive Education, which provides programs for working professionals to enhance their skills. Another major change coming to the College of Business: Georgette Chapman Phillips, the Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean of the College of Business plans to retire on June 30, 2024.

8. Lehigh and Delaware Nation Announce Partnership

In recognition of the Indigenous people who originally inhabited South Bethlehem, Lehigh University signed a historical Memorandum of Understanding on Oct. 13 with Delaware Nation, a sovereign, federally recognized nation of Lenape people. It also enabled Delaware Nation to relocate an extension of their historic preservation office on Lehigh’s campus.

9. NBA’s CJ McCollum ’13 and Salesforce President, CFO Amy Weaver ’23P Deliver Commencement Addresses

The National Basketball Association’s New Orleans Pelicans point guard, entrepreneur and philanthropist delivered keynote remarks during the undergraduate Commencement on May 21. McCollum gave personal examples of triumphing over adversity during his career on the basketball court. Salesforce President Amy Weaver ’23P , who delivered the keynote at the Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, reminded graduates to treat people with respect, civility and decency, while leading with gratitude and empathy.

10. 33 Lehigh Students and Faculty Awarded Prestigious Fellowships and Scholarships

There were 33 faculty and students awarded fellowships or scholarships this year allowing them to travel or research to expand their studies. The awards are nationally competitive. Student recipients of this year’s awards plan to continue their studies in locations such as South Africa, Germany, Denmark, Egypt and Spain, among other locations.