38 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN Former trustee Murray H. Goodman ’48 ’88H—American real estate developer, generous philanthropist and the benefactor of the Goodman Campus, Goodman Stadium, Goodman Center of Real Estate in the College of Business and the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics position—passed away in December 2024 at age 99. For almost 75 years, Goodman was the sole owner of the real estate development firm The Goodman Company, which was established in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1960 and later headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Goodman developed more than 25 million square feet of commercial retail space, industrial buildings and regional malls. A leading visionary in commercial real estate development, Goodman developed a vast portfolio of retail, hotel and office properties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio and Florida. “Murray Goodman was a symbol of American ingenuity, grit and determination; he was also one of the most generous men I’ve had the privilege to know,” said President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “Because of his extraordinary generosity and vision, countless Lehigh students, athletes and fans will enjoy the Goodman Campus and Goodman Stadium—just a few of the named contributions Murray Goodman made to Lehigh—in perpetuity. His passing is a tremendous loss for the Lehigh community, and he will be deeply missed.” Becoming a Leader in Real Estate Murray Goodman was born in 1925 and grew up in Bethlehem, graduating from the local high school in the middle of World War II. His high school basketball coach encouraged him to apply to Lehigh, which he did, but the war put his college plans on hold, and he spent almost three years in the U.S. Air Force as a qualified bombardier navigator before matriculating at Lehigh. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu national social fraternity and the varsity basketball team, of which he TRIBUTE | ALUMNI ʼ48 Remembering Murray H. Goodman Goodman was instrumental in shaping the retail landscape of the mid to late 20th century and a pioneer of the super-regional mall concept. ATHLETICS NEW ATHLETICS DEAN NAMED Jeremy L. Gibson was appointed the next Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics, effective Jan. 31. With a 27-year career in collegiate athletics, Gibson brings a wealth of experience, leadership and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes and enhancing athletic programs. Gibson served as vice president for athletics & deputy chief of staff at Merrimack College. Under his leadership, the college saw remarkable growth in its athletic programs. Prior to Merrimack, Gibson served at Harvard University for 17 years in several roles, including senior associate director of athletics. As the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics at Lehigh, Gibson oversees all aspects of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program, with a focus on student-athlete development, community engagement and strategic growth. He also works closely with Lehigh’s academic leadership to ensure that athletics remains an integral part of the university’s mission and values. “Jeremy’s leadership experience, strategic vision and passion for collegiate athletics make him an ideal fit for Lehigh,” said Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “We are confident that he will inspire our student-athletes, coaches and staff to achieve even greater success in both athletics and academics and continue to strengthen the connection between athletics and the broader university community.”—Carina Sitkus LEHIGH UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS From left, Donald B. Stabler ’30, Murray H. Goodman ’48 ’88H, Philip Rauch ’33 and Harry T. Martindale ’27 with an architectural rendering of the Rauch Business Center.
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