Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics
Apply / Inquire
Lehigh's pioneering effort in interdisciplinary education reaches a significant milestone

Celebrating 3 decades of innovation:
Interdisciplinary Capstone Design at Lehigh

Message from the Director

As we celebrate 30 years since the founding of Lehigh's Integrated Product Development (IPD) program, we honor a legacy that continues to shape how students learn, collaborate, and innovate. IPD was a bold step toward interdisciplinary, real-world education—uniting engineering, business, and design in pursuit of practical impact. Today, its spirit lives on in our Interdisciplinary Capstone Design program, where students tackle complex challenges alongside industry partners. This milestone is not just a look back—it's a launchpad for what's ahead. I invite you to explore the stories, people, and progress that have defined—and will continue to define—our shared journey.

READ MORE >>

 

A heritage of engineering innovation

Q&A with Prof. John Ochs, founder of IPD and Master's of Engineering in Technical Entrepreneurship

Don't call it a comeback

Resolve® magazine covers the launch of interdisciplinary capstone design—reenergizing Lehigh's capstone design approach

JC Zhao

Lehigh's entrepreneurial ecosystem

From the spark that was IPD, the roaring flame of today's venture creation ethos at Lehigh

Ahead of its time: the legacy of Integrated Product Design at Lehigh

Launched in 1995, Lehigh University’s Integrated Product Development (IPD) program celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025 as a pioneering model of interdisciplinary, experiential education. By bringing together students from engineering, business, and design, IPD equips teams to tackle real-world challenges through sponsored capstone projects. The program laid the foundation for Lehigh’s broader entrepreneurship ecosystem, inspiring the creation of initiatives like the Baker Institute, the entrepreneurship minor, and graduate programs in technical entrepreneurship. IPD continues to foster innovation, teamwork, and market-driven thinking—preparing students not only to succeed in industry but to launch impactful ventures that blend design, strategy, and technology. READ MORE >>>

 

A catalyst of innovation in engineering education

Did your experience in Lehigh’s capstone design program make a lasting impact on your education or career? Take a moment to complete this brief form and be part of this important milestone in Lehigh's entrepreneurial legacy.

As we celebrate three decades since the founding of IPD and its fusion of design, business, and engineering, we're collecting stories from its alumni and those of the Lehigh programs that it has inspired over the years.

We hope to highlight to future students how these programs have fostered innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving throughout generations of Lehigh engineers. Help us tell the incredible story of this incredible set of academic programs!

 

 

Support the next generation of innovators at Lehigh! A gift to the Rossin College Experiential Learning Fund helps fuel our innovative approach to capstone design that unites students across disciplines to solve real-world challenges. Your generosity ensures hands-on, high-impact learning experiences continue to thrive.