Lehigh University Alumni Network: A Lifelong Advantage
Choosing a college is a multifaceted decision, encompassing academic programs, social culture, and career prospects. While academics and campus life are crucial, the importance of real-world experiences and strong alumni networks in today's competitive job market cannot be overstated. Lehigh University stands out as an institution where graduates are committed to their school community even after graduation, and that provides valuable connections to real-world companies and experienced professionals, making it easier to break into competitive industries.
The Value of Alumni Networks
Alumni networks provide invaluable connections to real-world companies and experienced professionals, easing the transition into competitive industries. These networks offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and a sense of community that extends far beyond graduation.
Lehigh's Dedicated Alumni
Lehigh University's alumni network is characterized by its active engagement and commitment to supporting current students and fellow graduates. Unlike many schools, Lehigh grads are committed to their school community even after graduation. The school maintains a strong alumni network due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the very active alumni relations office is crucial in managing and enhancing alumni engagement. It organizes events, provides resources, and maintains communication with alumni, ensuring they are actively connected to each other and the university. Second, Lehigh supports various affinity groups such as the Lehigh Alumni of Color Network and the Lehigh Women’s Network, ensuring mentorship and support for all members of its community.
Alumni in Action: Examples of Engagement
Lehigh alumni demonstrate their dedication through various avenues:
- Mentorship: Alumni provide guidance and support to students, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths.
- Networking: Lehigh alumni actively participate in networking events, connecting students and fellow graduates with career opportunities.
- Volunteerism: Many alumni volunteer their time and expertise to support university initiatives and programs.
- Philanthropy: Alumni contribute financially to the university, supporting scholarships, research, and other important endeavors.
Notable Alumni Profiles
The following profiles showcase the diverse accomplishments and ongoing engagement of Lehigh University alumni:
Read also: Lehigh Grads and Employment
- Jessica Chu: A brand marketer and strategist specializing in founder-led start-ups, Chu received a B.S. in supply chain management and minors in journalism and mass communication from Lehigh in 2010. She has worked with brands like Chevrolet, Nine West, and Estée Lauder. As an alumnus, Chu serves as an alumni volunteer for admission. She currently splits her time between Massachusetts and New Jersey.
- Adam Goldstein: He is the founder of Sway, a creative event production and venue services company.
- Ken Hoexter: A managing director in US Equity Research covering airfreight, surface transportation, and shipping sectors. He has been ranked in the Institutional Investor All-America Research Poll 25 times. Hoexter has a BS in finance and marketing from Lehigh.
- Reginald Jennings: Over more than a half-century, Reginald Jennings’ love for Lehigh has been unflagging. His engagements include: first black varsity football player to graduate, co-founder of the now Black Student Union, member of the Student Forum (now Senate), first Black alumni trustee, chair of the History Department Visiting Committee, and, most recently, co-executive chair of Lehigh’s Black and Latino Alumni Network for Community and Equity (BALANCE).
- Bo Johns-Hennessy: Graduated from Lehigh in 2014 with a BA in architecture and a BS in civil engineering. He served as president of the Young Alumni Council, executive chair of the Lehigh Club of D.C., and an Alumni Volunteer for Admissions. He is an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company.
- Rich Margolies: Currently a regulatory affairs counsel at UBS, Margolies is responsible for managing regulatory examinations, enforcement investigations, and inquiries from the SEC, FINRA, and state securities regulators. During his time at Lehigh, Margolies was a 4-year player for the Men’s Lacrosse team and a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity. He is the co-founder of the Lehigh Sports Alumni Network, a member of the Lehigh Lawyers Association, and a member of the Lehigh Wall Street Council.
- Ralph Jean-Noel: He is the founder of RJN Studios, a consulting and marketing agency. He previously served as a Partnerships and Small Business Enablement Leader at Meta. Ralph currently serves as Co-Lead of the Lehigh Club of Austin, mentors students through BALANCE and Lehigh Connects, and advises emerging founders building impactful, culturally relevant businesses.
- Liz Edmiston Padgett: A global fashion retail executive who has held CEO positions at Lane Bryant and Groupe Dynamite. Padgett has been an active alumna, hosting events and sponsoring students from the Iacocca International Internship Program. She has also established the Andrew J. Edmiston Endowed Scholarship.
- Gorgi Pavlov: A Principal Scientist with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Gorgi joins the LUAA Board after serving on the Young Alumni Council, where he contributed in numerous ways - by conducting student interviews, student recruitment, and student mentorship.
- Bruce Perry: Class president for more than 20 years, representing his class and Lehigh alumni at multiple events each year, and is a Class of ’76 Alumni Award recipient.
- William Glaser Jr.: Glaser currently serves as the Lehigh chapter’s alumni board president. Glaser has been a longtime member of the Class of 1984 Reunion Committee and received the Alumni Award at his 40th reunion.
- Tony Caciolo: After being manager of international marketing for Bell and Howell and an application engineer for General Motors, he started Monogram Custom Homes and Pools, which has grown to become one of the top 50 pool builders in the USA. Caciolo has been involved in the Lehigh University Alumni Outreach program, was a chapter advisor for Sigma Phi Epsilon, was a multi-year host for the freshman Sendoffs, has served as a LUAA Board member, and has been a Lehigh Alumni Award recipient.
- Katherine Hardenbergh: acts as an adjunct at Stevens Institute of Technology, teaching a graduate-level course in investment management. After Lehigh, Hardenbergh has remained actively involved, including serving on the Young Alumni Council, acting as the inaugural chair of the Undergraduate Deans Advisory Council, participating in the Lehigh Wall Street Council, and attending and organizing Boston regional club events.
- Raven Gaddy: Gaddy studied abroad several times while attending Lehigh and lived overseas for several years after graduation, including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar.
- Mark Hembarsky: They all make the trip to attend the annual Lehigh-Lafayette football weekend.
- Suneeta Prasad: Suneeta Prasad is a former managing director at GE and GE Capital.
- Kate Schartel Novak: Kate is a dedicated educator, instructional leader, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience in K-12 classrooms, virtual instruction, and professional development.
- Craig Ploetner: Craig and his wife Christine reside in Short Hills, NJ with their son and daughter.
- Andrea Espinoza Melillo: Andrea Espinoza Melillo is a librarian with 10+ years of operational expertise in technology and higher education with a proven track record of success in administration and operations with a focus in customer service.
- Feinberg: Feinberg has been involved at Lehigh for decades, having hired 25 undergraduates into firms such as KPMG, Morgan Stanley, and Bankers Trust. He is a senior fellow with Lehigh’s Enterprise Systems Center, mentoring ISE/IBE seniors in their capstone consulting projects, and is on ISE’s alumni advisory council.
- Bartlett: Originally from Hopewell, New Jersey, Bartlett currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, with her husband and puppy. Currently, Bartlett is spearheading fundraising efforts for the Dr. Frank Douglas ’66 Endowed Scholarship Fund for the Advancement of Black Excellence and serves as a co-chair for the 2011 Reunion Committee. She also continues her class office responsibilities. In her spare time, she can generally be found in the ocean, cuddling her rescue pup, and serving as president of her recently co-founded nonprofit, The Next Swell.
- Mallett: Mallett graduated Lehigh with a BA in Journalism and Political Science and a minor in History of the Visual Arts and went on to earn an MA in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. While at Lehigh, Mallett was Student Senate president, an executive board member of Alpha Gamma Delta, an editor of The Brown and White, and was the recipient of the Student Life Leadership Allegiance Award and Alumni Association Undergraduate Merit Award. She has served as a member of the Advisory Committee for Celebration of 50 Years of Women at Lehigh, board member for the Lehigh Club of Philadelphia, member of the Young Alumni Council, Reunion co-chair and class correspondent.
Affinity Groups
Lehigh supports various affinity groups such as the Lehigh Alumni of Color Network and the Lehigh Women’s Network, ensuring mentorship and support for all members of its community.
Lehigh University Alumni Association (LUAA)
Gorgi joins the LUAA Board after serving on the Young Alumni Council, where he contributed in numerous ways - by conducting student interviews, student recruitment, and student mentorship.
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