University Convocation: Message from Bethlehem Mayor

Sunday, August 28, 2016

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the City of Bethlehem, and to Lehigh University. I would also like you to know, that this is Lehigh University’s 151st year in providing excellent collegiate education. Additionally, the City of Bethlehem is also celebrating its 275th birthday this year, since being founded by the Moravians in 1741.

Since the demise of Bethlehem Steel, Bethlehem has remained strong, changing where necessary, but never losing its identity. Bethlehem of 2016, is very different than the Bethlehem of 1991.

25 years ago, Bethlehem Steel was still making steel and employing 25,000 people in Bethlehem.

25 years ago, there was no Sands Casino, no ArtsQuest, no SteelStacks Campus.

25 years ago, there were no Lehigh Valley Industrial Parks.

25 years ago Broad Street in Center City was closed to traffic.

25 years ago there was no restaurant row or sidewalk dining.

During your four years at Lehigh University, I encourage you to step off campus, sample our restaurants, and experience the entertainment, festivals, history and the arts that Bethlehem has to offer.

This City is home, to the largest free outdoor music festival in the country, Musikfest. I hope some of you were able to enjoy it a few weeks ago. Coming in late September will be Celtic Fest which is one of the largest Celtic festivals in the United States.

Lehigh University has been an invaluable partner with the City and continues to have a significant impact on the City. Lehigh University’s Small Business Development Center, recently celebrated 35 years of helping small businesses in Bethlehem, to start, grow, and prosper. Many of the new businesses were started by Lehigh graduates.

The university funds programs like the Ambassadors, a Southside Bethlehem Downtown Coordinator and a housing code officer who makes sure that the properties you live in are safe and up to code.

Let me emphasize the following point: Lehigh University and the City of Bethlehem are committed to your safety while you attend Lehigh University. We have worked very hard to ensure that South Bethlehem is a safe community, but please use common sense.
The partnership between the City and Lehigh University is strong and it will continue to grow under my leadership and the leadership of President Simon.

In fact, under President Simon, Lehigh has committed, for the first time in its history, to moving university offices off campus into the Flat Iron Building across from Dunkin Donuts and into a new 25 million dollar project at 3rd and New Streets. A bold step and one that I applaud.
In closing, let me say that I wish you great success during your four years at Lehigh University and in the future.

You have the opportunity to receive an excellent education at one of America’s premier collegiate institutions.

I hope that you get to know our City and maybe some of you may just call Bethlehem home in a few years.

Good luck, thank you, and welcome to Bethlehem.