Inspiring Alums, Inspiring Others

Late last month, I had the honor of overseeing Lehigh's 148th Commencement Exercises, my first since my arrival as president last year.

It was a picture-perfect day for the occasion, with warm weather and sunny skies, and the mood, as always, was celebratory. Goodman Stadium welcomed nearly 1,700 happy graduates along with thousands more proud parents, families and friends that day, and the atmosphere was marked by that wonderful swirl of emotions that only a graduation day can bring: feelings of accomplishment and joy and anticipation, all mixed with nostalgia and bittersweet goodbyes and the inevitable sadness that comes with leaving your college days behind.

These are emotions I am certain you can relate to, because as a reader of this magazine, it is more than likely that you, too, once walked across that stage—symbolically moving from one phase of life to the next.

My experience on Commencement Day, however, is unique, and certainly somewhat different from that of the graduates or families in attendance. Yes, I was proud of those young people as they claimed their hard-won degrees. And yes, I could very much empathize with their feelings of excitement and uncertainty.

But as president of this wonderful university—and as somebody who has had the great privilege of getting to know these students over the course of the past year—the one emotion that I recall most from the day was this: hope. Or, maybe more accurately, hope mixed with optimism. Because I know all too well the quality of this latest cohort of Lehigh graduates, and I know, too, the vast potential they hold.

I can tell you in all honesty that the Lehigh Class of 2016 comprises precisely the kind of young people with whom we want our university to be associated. They are bright and ambitious, yes. They are entrepreneurial, and they strive for excellence. But they are also generous of spirit, courageous and selfless, kind and giving. It would not be fair, then, to describe them merely as great young leaders; rather, they are great young leaders who share a great sense of purpose—an obligation to serve not only their interests, but those of their families, their communities and their world.

These qualities of character have been hallmarks of Lehigh graduates for decades now, and in this issue of the Bulletin, you will read about three individuals whose work and actions testify to precisely that. My friend and colleague Stephen Klasko '74 (Talking About a Revolution, pg. 24) has spent his entire career working in the field of medicine, and now, as CEO of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, is working to revolutionize health care in this country, making our system not only more affordable but more successful at curing our sick. Megan Kienzle '17, a rising Lehigh senior, may at first blush look like your typical college student—but her amazing story (The Gift of Life, pg. 30), one of selfless giving for a friend in dire need, should serve as an inspiration to us all. And the story of Francis Willis '28 (A Hero's Story, Finally Told, pg. 34), who left this world far too early, reminds us that just a single moment of courage can create a legacy that lasts for decades.

As I read about these three remarkable individuals, I could not help but be proud to be associated with the institution that educated them. I hope you will enjoy reading their stories, and that their words and actions will inspire you just as much as they have inspired me.

Sincerely,

John D. Simon, President