Lehigh President John Simon’s morning commute takes two minutes.

In the 200 steps from the President’s House to the Alumni Memorial Building, he finds daily inspiration as he passes by the statue of Asa Packer and the Leadership Plaza benches engraved with the names of the university’s most committed alumni and friends.

“It grounds me that the excellence that Lehigh represents is the result of alumni investing in this institution for 150 years, following up on the vision that Asa Packer had for what a university could be,” he said.

Simon’s observations on the power of alumni and the future of the university launched his eight-city, cross-country tour to a New York City crowd of more than 600. Since then, he has travelled to Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. to meet and mingle with hundreds more alumni and friends, getting to know their Lehigh stories.

Brad Eric Scheler ’74 ’05P ’08P ’09PG, chairman of the Lehigh University Board of Trustees, provided a formal welcome at the New York event. “The potential and opportunities that are ahead for us are unlimited,” said Scheler, praising Simon. “We could not have a better person to lead us to that glorious future and to ensure that our next 150 years are as glorious as our past.”

Simon’s remarks ranged from his morning commute to literature, athletics and the prowess of the Ford Mustang, as he imparted his first impressions of Lehigh and its people. 

He encouraged alumni to attend Lehigh events, come back to campus, mentor students and support the university. “To achieve our full potential, I ask that you consider how you will help make it happen,” he challenged. 

“The aspirations and ideas for Lehigh’s future that I hear from university leadership, its faculty, and from all of you confirm why I joined the Lehigh family,” he said.  “It was and is with great enthusiasm and optimism that I accept the challenge to lead Lehigh, and now I invite you to join me.”

Kira Mendez ’83, president of the Board of Directors of the Lehigh University Alumni Association, attended each of the first four tour events. “What John Simon is doing at these events is consistent with his approach since coming to Lehigh. He has a desire to learn about all things Lehigh. He wants to know who we are. That has been the theme of his entry into our community,” she said.

Mendez believes alumni are receiving Simon well. “The young alumni are very excited to meet him and feel like they can be heard and be a part of this. The older alumni are curious as to what the new president will mean. They’re encouraged by his openness and willingness to connect. He’s such an open door.”

Dan Coviello ’13 ’15G, joined the Washington, D.C., event after moving to the city just a few weeks earlier.

“I came out tonight because I wanted to experience the Lehigh community in the new home I’m making for myself. This was a perfect opportunity to meet people who care about Lehigh and who treasure the connection that spans the years,” he commented.

He was impressed with Lehigh’s new leadership. “President Simon has an ability to understand the unique history of Lehigh and embrace it as his own. He communicates in a way that inspires so many to take advantage of where Lehigh is going.”

Photos and more from the Our Lehigh events can be found at www.lehigh.edu/president. The tour will continue in October with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. All events are free and open to the public. Registration and more information are available at mylehigh.lehigh.edu/ourlehighoct2015.

Story by Janet Norwood

Video by Stephanie Veto