LU61

YOUR VIEW: A lesson from Lehigh’s win over Duke: Believe in Yourself

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:25:08 +0000

61ers- Bookmark this website and visit it often.

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share this piece that appeared in Tuesday’s Morning Call.

Sincerely,

Alice Gast

Link to the Article Online

YOUR VIEW
A lesson from Lehigh’s win over Duke: Believe in Yourself

March 20, 2012

Fans were beside themselves; there were deafening cheers, phones ringing off the hook, text messages, emails, tweets, Facebook posts; some 8.4 million people were riveted to the action as Lehigh University upset Duke University, an icon in the NCAA basketball tournament. We heard from friends, family, supporters and strangers from all over the world. It seemed that the world united behind Lehigh University.

While headlines like “Lehigh stuns Duke” focused on the historic upset, and people described the win as “incredible,” “unbelievable,” and “amazing,” it seems that our team members were the calmest among us. The players themselves were the ones who knew going into the game that they could win. They knew what oddsmakers, bracket pundits and fans could not: that they went to North Carolina not just to play, but to win. We are inspired by the way they won, for their display of intelligence, determination and character that we so value at Lehigh and across the Patriot League.

We admire them for the way they believed in themselves. Their incredible prowess on the court was only outdone by their intelligence and demeanor in front of the cameras. The rigorous education they receive at Lehigh and their demanding training were evident in their confidence and poise. We take their example as a reminder to all of us: Commit yourself to excellence, work hard, and believe in yourself.

Our team members epitomized another Lehigh value in their collaboration and relationships. The media noted the unity of this team and how the players frequently referred to themselves as a family. Their tribute to the Lehigh fans in Greensboro, N.C., after their loss to Xavier University demonstrated real grace at a moment of great disappointment and left a lasting impression of the team as they left the tournament. We thank Coach Brett Reed and his staff and the Lehigh faculty for instilling a strong sense of character into every team member.

We are all immensely proud of the way our students and coaches, in all of our sports, represent Lehigh University and our values and ideals. While our basketball team was making history, our wrestling team was on another national stage producing four All-Americans with the same grace and poise.

Back in South Bethlehem, our students also believed in themselves and made us proud by celebrating this momentous victory with dignity and class. All too often, celebrations of sporting victories have devolved into destructive and violent behavior. Lehigh students displayed their sheer joy after the victory over Duke, and they were civilized and respectful.

I would also like to commend Bethlehem Police Commissioner Jason Schiffer, the Bethlehem Police Department and the Lehigh University Police Department for the way they responded to the spontaneous celebration. Commissioner Schiffer and his force clearly recognized that Lehigh’s upset was monumental, and they helped ensure that the exuberant fans were able to celebrate safely. I want to thank them for their professional approach and for believing in us. I am glad we rose to the occasion.

We are also thankful for the support of those in our local community. Lehigh is proud to represent Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley on a national stage. As a university, it is gratifying to know that so many people at home believed in our team members. Many of our neighbors are there for our athletic teams, not just during national tournaments, but throughout the year — cheering at events, filling our home stands and providing the support our student athletes need to succeed.

On Monday morning, our team members were back on campus, in their classrooms, believing in themselves again — role models to us all.

Alice P. Gast is president of Lehigh University.

pablosmith — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:04:29 +0000

Sorry from the Pres for not updating the Web Site earlier- needed some time off from Lehigh.

We’re back and things are happening for Lehigh 61

How about our 50th?

We’re still talking about what a great time was had starting with the Friday symposium. It continued with the Saturday parade and party, the pig roast at Moyers and Lehigh’s commencement on Monday. See Bob Paternoster’s newsletter for more details about reunion happenings. Reunion highlights and videos are linked here including our first Petty Flag after 50 years of “56 frustration.

Some late news…

Stemming from the Greek Symposium, 61 will stay involved with Lehigh’s Greek Alumni Council in striving to return houses no longer active.

The Class of 65 adopted the incoming 2012 class with a class goal to outdo the 61s. From adoption to commencement we were with 2011. As mentioned at our class dinner they exceeded our matching goal of 611 class gift pledges. The video we made for that initiative is on Utube for those of you who missed it.

On the field Air Lehigh is back on the gridiron as well as the fabulous Moyer-Spill tailgates.

At the Tower Society Meeting Pete Hagerman was again honored for his service to Lehigh receiving the James Ward Packard award recognizing the talents and support Pete has given unselfishly to Lehigh. Great picture with President Gast is attached here.

Lafayette game is home this year- a chance to reunite and see a great team. If you plan to come and are interested in a 61 rally after the game, drop Paul an email. After all we planned for the 50^th it should not be too hard to arrange a little get together.

Lastly, keep Lehigh in mind- annual giving, reunion pledges and bequests. 61 has made Lehigh a better place and we hope to see this continue.

The Kingston Trio Concert- A Wonderful Night at Zoellner

admin — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:38:30 +0000

The First Nostalgia Concert at Lehigh is History

And the Kingston Trio made it more than memorable. Jack Davidson said it best calling this current trio “a gold standard replica of what we enjoyed so much”.
Yes, they hung Tom Dooley for the 14,732nd time and Charley’s wife now hands him a Starbucks as the train comes rumbling through and we well remember where the flowers have gone. This was a very special evening for a very special class. If you were there, you felt it from the start (and we had at least 45 class members plus spouses and friends amongst the crowd of 650).

Funny, Jack Davidson recalled the resistance by Lehigh for us to blow our $3000 blazer revenue on a concert for an up and coming group in 1959. In the fall of 2008,Lehigh challenged 61’s wisdom again as we suggested a second coming. Karla Morales of the Development Office says it all: “What a wonderful concert! I must tell you–and the other fellows’ involved -that the KT concert was all the talk at Reunion Weekend! Great vision, good work. Kudos to the class of ’61!”

So many to thank: Ed Watters and Joe King for believing from the get go; the financial backers from the class that put their money up against a short deadline; Ken Weaver for marketing the concert and inspiring Jack Davidson to join us against incredible obstacles; Jim Williams for publicizing the concert with WDIY and The Morning Call; George Spill for making the early events of the day both fun and meaningful; Larry Moyer for the souvenir program that captured the spirit of the concert so well; Chad Davis of the alumni office for coordinating all the logistics of the event from its earliest conception to getting the Trio on the plane the Day after, not missing a beat in the time between.

Jack Davidson! A story within the story. We are all blessed to cross this man’s path. Enjoy the Video and Jack’s classic remarks about then and now. It is not hard to realize why we were thrilled to honor his return to campus. Take a moment to enjoy the Photo Album Ken Weaver made for Jack and his family. To all the Class members who came, thanks for the support. To those of you waiting for the 50th, we’ll make it special, but count on hearing about the 48th.

As they say in Georgia, “We done real good, y’all”

KINGSTON TRIO 61 DONORS RECOGNIZED

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:32:00 +0000

The funding came from the members above. The Morning Call helped us bring some local followers to Zoellner. We are a remarkable class to think that over 45 of us attended the Trio event in a non-Reunion year. Keep October 17 on you calendar and return to Bethlehem for the Yale game and some class fun before and after.

Class of 1961 Scholarship

admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:22:23 +0000

On April 2, 2009 Lehigh held its annual Scholarship Dinner at Mountaintop Campus.

Stacy’s gratitude is expressed in a letter.

Click to read more about the Lehigh Class of 1961 Scholarship (PDF link)

61 Challenge Scholarship winners

pablosmith — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:08:05 +0000

Class officers Joe King, Paul Smith and Ed Watters flank the 61 Challenge Scholarship winners and finalists at halftime of the Cornell game on October 4. All finalists received plaques while the 3 winners received $1000 each from the Class of 61 Scholarship Endowment funds.