So many ways to celebrate Lehigh

	Chris Marshall, left, and Provost Mohamed El-Aasser join in the First-Year Student/Alumni Rally.

I love Lehigh, its traditions, and the incredible passion, dedication and philanthropic spirit of Lehigh alumni! The 2006 First-Year Student/Alumni Rally on Saturday, Aug. 26 in Grace Hall was an incredibly powerful event. Not only did it have the largest attendance ever, but members of every class (from 1940 to 2009) were present to carry their class flag in the parade.
I would like to pass along a special thank you to all the alumni who made the trip back to be a part of this great event. After the Class of 1960 formally adopted the Class of 2010, the Association of Student Alumni (ASAs) took President Gast by surprise when they formally adopted her and her family into the Lehigh Family as well. There was no need for words—the stomping and cheering from the crowd said it all!
When we sang the alma mater, there were voices representing over 70 years of Lehigh pride. I do not think I will ever forget it.
Another memorable occasion occurred on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 10, when more than 500 students, faculty, staff and guests gathered to witness the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial on campus. The memorial consists of a walking path through a beautiful garden with benches for quiet reflection and meditation, as well as 12 trees to honor the eight alumni and four Lehigh parents we lost that tragic day. Members of six of the families were present for the dedication ceremony, and remembrances of all those who were lost were read by the students. To see pictures of the memorial, the dedication ceremony, and for more information, click here.
Looking ahead:
If you can’t make it back to Lehigh for a home football game, you might be able to catch the Mountain Hawks battling on the gridiron in your area. Your Alumni Association’s Clubs office has partnered with clubs throughout the region to offer you an exciting afternoon of fun, food and tailgating camaraderie at Yale and Holy Cross. For dates, times and all the details, click here.
I know I said it before, but the coach in me tells me to say it again: mark your calendars now for Alumni Weekend (featuring the famous Young Alumni Reunion on Oct. 20-21. It’s pretty simple. We took care of all the details, including hotels, transportation, tents and food. All you have to do is show up, bring a friend and have fun at events on Friday night at local restaurants, tailgates on Saturday, football vs. Bucknell at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and then all kinds of events on campus Saturday night.
Don’t you wish everything in life was this easy? For more information about and to register for Senior Alumni activities, click here.
We created a Brush Up series especially with young alumni in mind that highlights the young, fun and provocative aspects of the arts. Each event in the series includes a cocktail reception, a presentation by a special guest, and time for Q&A. On October 4th, Ricardo Viera, director/curator of the Lehigh University Art Galleries, will present How Much Do You Have to Know to Invest in Art? Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m., followed by the presentation. To register for the event, or if you have any suggestions for future Brush Up topics, please contact Nancy Merritt, assistant director of student and young alumni programming.
The Alumni Dinner Club program presents Cans Across America from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in the Cort dining room in the Lower University Center. Cans Across America is a promotion that combines a fun evening with an opportunity to help those in need. Lehigh Dining Services is partnering with other Sodexho campuses across the nation in asking our guests to help us set a new record for the most canned food donations raised during a single event. Join in the camaraderie as the campus unites together for food, fun and philanthropy! For more information and to register, click here.
I hope to see you at an upcoming event and GO LEHIGH!!!
Regards,
Chris Marshall ‘88
Alumni Director