11 When Mike Caruso ’67 talks about Lehigh, he radiates gratitude. “Without a scholarship, I couldn’t have attended Lehigh and benefited from an experience that changed the course of my life,” Caruso says. Through academics and athletics, he gained the confidence and skills that allowed him to flourish. At Lehigh, Caruso was a standout wrestler, a three-time NCAA champion who finished his career with a 57-1 record. He credits legendary coach Gerald Leeman with his success on and off the mat. “He was such a great leader, a mentor, and such a great friend,” Caruso says. The two remained close over the years. In 2008, a week before Leeman passed away, Caruso visited him in the hospital. “You keep this thing going at Lehigh so that my life’s work was not in vain,” the coach said. Caruso, who delivered Leeman’s eulogy, possesses the same staunch devotion to Lehigh. He got involved with the Tower Society nearly four decades ago when he spearheaded an effort to raise funds for merit scholarships for wrestling. He has chaired the society for the last 14 years, leaving an indelible mark on Lehigh through his leadership and generosity. “Mike lives what he has always said as chair of the Tower Society,” says Lorraine Wiedorn ’84G ’13P ’17P, assistant vice president of planned giving and family philanthropy. “If you believe in something, you need to endow it.” The Michael “Baskets” Caruso Memorial Scholarship Fund, which Caruso established in memory of his father, and the Caruso Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, in memory of Caruso’s beloved late wife and sister, are two of his many impactful contributions. Caruso officially concluded his tenure as chair at the Tower Society Breakfast in September. During the meeting, President Joseph J. Helble ’82 recognized the unprecedented growth that Lehigh’s endowment has gained under Caruso’s leadership. The endowment principal has received $329 million, of which $51 million was given through life income gifts. An additional $226 million in bequest intentions have been made, 90% of which will benefit the endowment. “In one-on-one meetings and large groups alike, I have often heard Mike speak about how Lehigh changes one’s life,” Helble says. “Hearing these numbers, there is no doubt of the impact that Mike has had on this institution. He has changed Lehigh for the better.” Kevin Clayton ’84 ’13P succeeds Caruso as chair of the Tower Society. “Just like everything else Michael has done, his leadership at Lehigh has put him in the hall of fame,” Clayton says. “I am humbled to follow in his footsteps.” The mutual respect between the two friends runs deep. “Kevin learned from his father, Bill, what it means to serve Lehigh. He’s been involved since his student days and has held every volunteer position, including interim president,” says Caruso. “He represents the next generation of philanthropists who will take Lehigh to even greater heights. The name Clayton is as well known to the Lehigh faithful as the name Packer.” As the Tower Society torch passes from one great leader to another, there is no question that its flame — and the future it lights for generations of Lehigh students — has never been brighter. Mike Caruso ’67 was a three-time All-American. Gerald Leeman and Mike Caruso ’67 Kevin Clayton ’84 ’13P and Mike Caruso ’67
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==