W. Deming Lewis led the university from 1964 to 1982
Lehigh’s 10th president was a scholar, inventor, space engineer, and the longest serving president in the university’s history.
When W. Deming Lewis became president on June 16, 1964, the university was known for its engineering, mathematics and related sciences. After his 18 years, there was much more to celebrate -- new majors in natural science, biology, social relations, geological sciences and religion studies; women as undergraduates; interdisciplinary programs in computer engineering, applied mathematics, management science and American studies; 13 new research centers and institutes.
Lewis, who had degrees from Harvard and Oxford University, was one of four executives who started Bellcomm Inc., which engineered systems for the Apollo moon project.
He was reportedly a whiz at crossword puzzles and Trivial Pursuit, and he held 33 patents on such devices as microwave antennas.
The Lewis Tennis Facility and the original physics laboratory are named in his honor.
