FROM THE NEST | SUMMER 2026 | 9 Lehigh Trustee James R. Maida ʼ85 Pʼ17 Pʼ19 has been named chair of Lehighʼs board of trustees, effective July 1, 2026. His tenure follows the conclusion of the term of Vincent Forlenza, Jr. ʼ75 on June 30, 2026. “My familyʼs story is inextricably linked to Lehigh—itʼs a legacy that began with my fatherʼs time as a student and my parentsʼ lifelong devotion to the university, and was deepened when Sharon and I met on this very campus,ˮ said Maida. “To now serve this institution as chair is a profound honor. “I am especially grateful to Vince Forlenza for his steady guidance over these past few years,ˮ he continued. “His leadership has laid a strong foundation, and I look forward to building upon that momentum with a focus on innovation, accessibility and the continued excellence of the Lehigh experience.ˮ Forlenza praised Maidaʼs appointment, noting his strategic vision and long-standing commitment to Lehigh. A Three-Generation Lehigh Legacy Maida represents the second of three generations of Lehigh graduates in his family. The legacy began with his late father, Robert ʼ57, and his mother, Elaine, whose dedication to Lehigh helped establish a family tradition that spans nearly 70 years. It continued with James, his brother, Joseph ʼ83, and his sister, Jeanette Maida Brick ʼ86, and today lives on through Jamesʼ daughters, Lauren ʼ17 and Alexis ʼ19. The university holds a deeply personal significance for James; he and his wife, Sharon, met on Lehighʼs campus and were married in Packer Memorial Church. Dr. Sharon Maida is a distinguished educator known for her pioneering work supporting children with visual impairments. She previously served on the Deanʼs Advisory Council for the College of Education. Strategic Philanthropy and Service A trustee since 2015, Maida has championed Lehighʼs academic and residential mission. The familyʼs philanthropy includes a $5 million gift supporting the universityʼs residential development, recognized through the naming of Maida House. The Maida Education Abroad Grants have expanded global learning opportunities for students with financial need. Maida is the president and CEO of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), the company he founded and grew into the worldʼs preeminent testing laboratory for the gaming industry. Honoring Vincent Forlenza, Jr. ʼ75 Vincent Forlenza concluded four years of transformative leadership as chair. During his tenure, Lehigh launched Inspiring the Future Makers, its 10-year strategic roadmap, and advanced GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers. The philanthropy of he and his wife, Ellen, has strengthened health innovation, engineering and interdisciplinary research at Lehigh. Their support includes the Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ʼ75 Chair in Health Innovation and Technology and a $5 million scholarship program in the College of Health that provides tuition support, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities for future leaders in health, policy and innovation. As Maida begins his role as chair, he does so building on a strong foundation established by Forlenza while carrying forward a multigenerational Lehigh legacy that reflects the enduring power of family, philanthropy and service.—Kristen DiPrinzio APPOINTED A Legacy Spanning Generations: James R. Maida ʼ85 Leads Lehighʼs Board of Trustees Alumnus and global entrepreneur succeeds Vincent Forlenza, Jr. ʼ75. “TO NOW SERVE THIS INSTITUTION AS CHAIR IS A PROFOUND HONOR.” —James R. Maida ʼ85 Pʼ17 Pʼ19, chair of Lehighʼs board of trustees Vincent Forlenza, Jr. ’75
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