Lehigh: One University's Approach To Rejuvenating U.S. Industry

Abstract

Asa Packer, the 19th century railroad magnate and dedicated but modest capitalist, probably would wax proud today to look down from his place in the Elysium onto Bethlehem, Pa., and view his dream of 127 years ago. Lehigh University is no tall hog among the country's research universities, but it does appear to have something to say about the university's role in the technological changes now enveloping the U.S. in this postindustrial, information- intensive era. What likely would please Packer today would be the type of university Lehigh plans on becoming: mainspring in the technological revitalization of a regional economy. It is slowly acquiring national attention as it incorporates its high-tech faculty talents into the economic challenges that face the country. Lehigh feels that enough intellectual challenge lies toward regional revitalization that it need not go big time. Yet at the same time, the school is far from parochial. Some of its departments—materials, robotics, microelectronics, ...