Happy Holidays

This is the last time you will hear from me in 2005! I know some of you are happy about that fact (Dave Polakoff) but I won’t mention any names. Before I forget… here’s wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!!!
Here on campus, fall classes came to an end on Dec. 9 and finals will be over on Dec. 21. The students will be packing up and heading home for several weeks of R&R before the spring semester. Remember those glorious days? Well, your Alumni Association never sleeps, and we will be here planning events, activities and travel for you to enjoy all the way through 2007.
We are happy to start off 2006 by inviting all alumni and current Lehigh University juniors and seniors to attend our Career Networking Receptions (CNRs) in your area. These gatherings provide a phenomenal opportunity for alumni to network with each other and current students. We have scheduled events in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles (I will be there!), Washington, D.C. and of course, close to South Mountain at the historic Hotel Bethlehem. For more information about the event nearest you, please visit here. Registration has already begun, so get movin'!!!
In conjunction with the CNRs, we have launched a new service called AlumniConnect. It is a secure Web site for CNR attendees to network before and after the event. After receiving login information, you can create a profile, search for people in relevant fields, maintain a list of contacts and have one-click-print access to their information right up to the event date! This incredibly interactive tool will allow students to conduct research and notify you in advance that they would like to speak with you… and vice versa.
I would like to thank all of you who plan to attend these events and support our current students in their quest for success in the “real world”. And as an added bonus… you may find yourself making worthwhile business connections as well. Network, network, network!!!
Enough about work… let's talk about travel! Bob Wolfenden, Director of Alumni Benefits and Services (Bob likes to call it Director of “BS”), has arranged an end of the academic year celebration in Beijing, China. After the very successful winter getaway trip for parents and students to Rome, Italy, how could we not offer another excursion to an exotic locale? May 10-16, 2006, shortly before commencement, travel to Beijing with Lehigh friends and stroll along the Great Wall or explore the Forbidden City. Reservations must be received by February 1, so start thinking now about next year's travel. For information and a PDF reservation form for the Beijing trip, go online. For the full schedule of Lehigh travel programs, go online or call Evelyn Wolf at (610) 758-4682.
The new year is quickly approaching. Be sure to include Lehigh in your New Year's resolutions – keep Connected, Engaged, Involved!
Chris Marshall ‘88
Alumni Director
December 2005