John McDowell Leavitt, an Episcopal clergyman, lawyer and author, was Lehigh’s second president. He served for five years, from 1875 to 1880, and he was in office when university founder Asa Packer died, in 1879.

A child prodigy, Leavitt had graduated from Jefferson College with honors at age 17, according to a history of the university written by Willard Ross Yates. He had taught at Kenyon College and Ohio University before coming to Lehigh.

During his tenure, the university was divided into two schools, General Literature and Technology. As of 1876, a student could receive two engineering degrees by taking a longer course. Then, beginning in 1877, students could pursue a master of arts, doctor of philosophy and doctor of science degrees.

Also during Leavitt’s tenure, Linderman Library rotunda was completed, and in the months after Packer’s death , Founder’s Day was established.