2 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN The fall semester at Lehigh brought picture-perfect autumn days, spirited celebrations, new initiatives and advancements that served as a source of inspiration for storytelling in this issue of the Alumni Bulletin. This fall, Lehigh announced a new “AI Readiness” initiative (page 10) to prepare students for an AI-driven future. Throughout these pages, you’ll discover how Lehigh is at the forefront of embracing AI as a force reshaping how we teach and learn. You’ll meet the alumni behind WiseCare AI and Vytalize Health (page 22), companies that aim to improve the patient experience through platforms simplifying health care plan selection and activating value-based care. Lehigh’s community of future makers continues to create real, lasting impact on campus and across the world. You’ll read about some of the fascinating innovations made by Lehigh people that are reshaping industries and improving lives (page 3). You’ll also meet Manpreet Patel MBA’25, who opened the innovative Hologram Zoo Lehigh Valley—the second of its kind in the nation—which offers immersive 3D holographic experiences (page 20). Collaboration-based innovations and partnerships continued to take shape, such as the establishment of Lehigh’s formal partnership with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, advancing the university’s commitment to health-focused collaboration, research and education (page 8). You’ll also learn about Lehigh and Rice University’s bold new initiative— the Consortium for Enhancing Resilience and Catastrophe Modeling (CERCat)—bringing together researchers, industry leaders and public sector innovators to advance the science of catastrophe modeling and transform how communities prepare for and respond to disasters (page 19). As the leaves on South Mountain turned, the university experienced some exciting changes. Among the stories, you’ll read about Lehigh Athletics adopting a number of new traditions and policies, including pop-up pep rallies that were held on Thursdays before home football games at the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market or the flagpole at the Clayton University Center at Packer Hall (page 33). The events featured music, giveaways and interactive activities for fans to showcase their Mountain Hawk pride. On behalf of the editorial staff, we hope you enjoy these stories that encompass Lehigh’s past, present and exciting future, and we thank you, as always, for reading. Lauren Thein Editor MISCELLANY DEGREES AND DESIGNATIONS In October 2025, Lehigh updated the way it represents class years and designations for graduate degrees and relationships with the university. The formula allows us to better recognize specific degrees and aligns with common practices at peer schools and institutions. If you wish to update your Lehigh information, please email askrecords@lehigh.edu. Abbreviations: • Parent: P • Grandparent: GP • Widow: W • Honorary Degree: H • Master’s Degree (unspecified): M • Doctorate (unspecified): D • Educational Specialist: Ed.S. • Master of Arts: MA • Master of Business Administration: MBA • Master of Education: M.Ed. • Master of Science: MS • Doctor of Education: Ed.D. • Doctor of Philosophy: Ph.D. INTRODUCING REAL Did you notice our fresh look? The Lehigh Alumni Bulletin’s updated design elements are part of the university’s new brand expression campaign, Real, which emphasizes Lehigh’s distinct strengths and stellar outcomes of its 88,000+ alumni worldwide. Learn more about Real on page 27. WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! Share your thoughts on this issue with the editor at lat624@lehigh.edu, or send a handwritten note to Lehigh Alumni Bulletin, 516 Brodhead Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015. EDITOR’S LETTER Inspiration in Action Manpreet Patel MBA’25
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==