2021 Stabler Donor Impact Report R4

ARTS AND SCIENCES Name: Thomas Leitner Hometown: Tucson, AZ Major: Architecture Class: 2023 Favorite activity: Cross Country and Track Favorite faculty or staff: Professor Lucy Gans, Art, Architecture, and Design Dream job: Architect Attending Lehigh supports my goals because it holds me to a high standard. I come from the West Coast, and I could have stayed there to go to college. I chose Lehigh because I knew it would be an elevated level of learning and an overall elevated perspective on life. This can be seen in my everyday academics and athletics. Both in the classroom and on the track, my peers and I know to make every moment count. Making every mo- ment count supports my goals because my main goal is to dare greatly. My peers inspire me to excel at Lehigh. Being surrounded by people who are driven and motivated to succeed pushes me to try to succeed as well. The people at Lehigh are unique because the students have the same shared value of learning. This learn- ing doesn’t just appear in my classes, but it is present on my team as well. My favorite class is my architectural design course because I have learned a lot about how to change my perspective when looking at things in everyday life relating to architecture. For example, I no longer look at buildings with opinions on if I like them or not. I’m able to analyze form, shape, voids, and masses, and these all come together to create works of art. In one of my architectural stu- dios, I’ve been given the opportunity to design a memorial in the Nisky Hill cemetery across the Lehigh river. The design is a concept of a structure that takes in the surrounding landscape of the North Side and highlights the history of the people who have lived in Bethlehem. Giving back means to me the idea of opportunity. The Stabler Scholarship has given me the opportunity to attend school and compete athletically at Lehigh. This is an opportunity that will change my life forever. I’ll be able to chase my passions in both my career and sport with the experiences and knowledge gained at Lehigh. This kind of opportunity is something I would love to share and give later in life when I get the chance. I know it can change future lives, too. I am a triplet with two sisters who are also currently in college. Because of the Stabler Scholarship, I am able to attend Lehigh, and my family is able to have support. Thank you.