Communication from President Helble to Faculty and Staff: President Helble's Address to Staff and Educators
In the past year, Lehigh University has made significant strides in academics, research, and athletics, maintaining its reputation for excellence.
President Joseph J. Helble '82 looks forward to welcoming another talented group of new students to the campus, as the university continues to uphold strong academic standards. With 95% of its 584 full-time faculty holding the highest degrees in their fields, Lehigh offers a wide range of programs with over 100 majors and programs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among students.
The university's academic achievements have been recognised nationally. In 2024, Lehigh was ranked 14th overall by The Wall Street Journal, based on student outcomes, learning environment, and diversity. The following year, in 2025, Lehigh was ranked 46th (tied) nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with top marks in undergraduate teaching (25th), value (26th), engineering (51st), and innovation (45th). The Princeton Review also recognised Lehigh in 2024 as 1st for Best Science Lab Facilities, 10th for Best College Library, and among top schools for campus beauty, student satisfaction, career placement, and diversity interaction. Furthermore, Lehigh was named one of the 2025 Princeton Review's Best Value Colleges, reflecting excellent academics, affordability, and career preparation.
In the realm of research, while specific new projects or breakthroughs from Lehigh in the past year are not detailed, the university's strong emphasis on research as a private research university combined with faculty credentials supports ongoing high-level research initiatives.
The 2024-2025 athletic year was marked by significant accomplishments, including Patriot League titles, Eastern College Athletic Conference (EIWA) Championship wins, NCAA tournament appearances, record-breaking performances, and memorable moments across various sports programs. Lehigh University student-athletes have captured league championships in women's basketball and men's football.
In an effort to further enhance its athletic prowess, women's wrestling has been added as Lehigh's 26th varsity sport, with competition set to begin in the 2025-26 academic year.
Lehigh University continues to thrive as a collaborative, innovative, and global community, expanding partnerships across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The university has also been advocating for higher education's essential role in fostering a vibrant economy and strong democracy.
President Helble has urged the community to rest, recharge, and take pride in all they've accomplished together. Provost Nathan Urban has been reappointed for a second five-year term, and his leadership has been central to Lehigh University's academic momentum. Lehigh University students have excelled in research, creative inquiry, and public service.
Notably, Lehigh University has been designated as a Carnegie R1 research university and has chosen not to opt in to the NCAA revenue-sharing program. The university's vision, marked by shared curiosity, shared purpose, and the desire to create something new, has been shaped in the university's work in labs, classrooms, offices, and every corner, shaping another generation of graduates.
[1] https://www.lehigh.edu/news/lehigh-university-named-one-of-the-2025-princeton-reviews-best-value-colleges [2] https://www.lehigh.edu/news/lehigh-university-ranked-14th-overall-by-the-wall-street-journal-in-2024-based-on-student-outcomes-learning-environment-and-diversity [3] https://www.lehigh.edu/news/lehigh-university-ranked-46th-tied-nationally-by-us-news-world-report-in-2025-with-top-marks-in-undergraduate-teaching-value-engineering-and-innovation [4] https://www.lehigh.edu/news/the-princeton-review-recognizes-lehigh-in-2024-as-1st-for-best-science-lab-facilities-10th-for-best-college-library-and-among-top-schools-for-campus-beauty-student-satisfaction-career-placement-and-diversity-interaction [5] https://www.lehigh.edu/news/2024-2025-athletic-year-highlighted-by-significant-accomplishments-across-various-sports-programs
- The university's strong academic standards, backed by a faculty holding the highest degrees in their fields, foster a diverse range of programs that nurture interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring continued education and self-development.
- In the realms of health and research, Lehigh prioritizes ongoing high-level initiatives, though specific new projects or breakthroughs might not have been detailed in the past year.
- Acknowledged for its high rankings in undergraduate teaching, value, engineering, and innovation, Lehigh University has been celebrated for its student outcomes, learning environment, and commitment to diversity both nationally and in general news.
- Venturing into new territories, women's wrestling has been added as Lehigh's 26th varsity sport, signifying the university's dedication to education-and-self-development within the realm of athletics.
- As politics and the importance of higher education in fostering a vibrant economy and strong democracy are discussed, Lehigh University maintains its stance as an innovative and global community, forging partnerships across the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
