Gregory Farrington received his Ph.D. in electrochemistry from Harvard University and worked as a scientist for General Electric before moving to the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as director of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter and as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

During Farrington’s 1998-2006 tenure, Lehigh launched a $75-million academic venture fund to encourage the creation of innovative academic programs. Admissions increased as did alumni giving and the US News rankings. The university doubled its research funding and started a dozen new undergraduate programs, including Integrated Business and Engineering, ArtsLehigh and Global Citizenship. Farrington also oversaw the construction of Campus Square, which will be rededicated Farrington Square in October 2015.

Committed to partnering with the local community, Farrington worked with the city of Bethlehem, the state and federal government, and other partners to make the region a better place for all.