Lehigh University's Polymer Science and Engineering (PSE) program celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 21 with a daylong event in Iacocca Hall that brought together alumni, faculty, students, and industry partners to honor a half-century of innovation and impact in the field of polymers and advanced materials.
The event, co-hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Rubber & Plastics Group (MARPG), featured keynote talks, technical sessions, and networking opportunities that reflected on the program's legacy and looked ahead to its future. Speakers highlighted how the program has evolved from a small academic initiative into a nationally recognized hub for research in polymer synthesis, characterization, and sustainable materials.
"Fifty years of PSE is not just a milestone," says Luciana Arronche, director of PSE. "It's a testament to how Lehigh has bridged science and industry to shape the materials that define modern life."
Throughout the day, attendees heard from distinguished researchers and leaders from academia and industry who discussed the latest advances in polymer innovation, elastomer performance, and materials sustainability. The program also offered time for alumni to reconnect and share how their Lehigh experience has shaped their professional paths.
Founded in the early 1970s, Lehigh's PSE program was among the first of its kind in the United States. Over the decades, it has trained hundreds of engineers and scientists who have gone on to lead in academia, government, and private industry. Today, the program remains at the forefront of materials research, emphasizing cross-disciplinary collaboration and real-world problem solving.
During the event's morning session, Mohamed El-Aasser, emeritus professor of chemical engineering at Lehigh and a renowned researcher in the field, delivered a keynote address tracing the program's evolution from its founding to its present-day achievements. El-Aasser highlighted key milestones in research, curriculum development, and industry partnerships that have defined PSE's reputation, noting how faculty and student innovation over five decades has continually adapted to emerging challenges in polymer science. He also reflected on the program's role in shaping the careers of generations of engineers and researchers, emphasizing the enduring impact of Lehigh's approach to hands-on, interdisciplinary education.
The anniversary event served both as a celebration and a call to action for the next generation of materials scientists. Faculty and guests emphasized the importance of continued innovation in areas such as circular materials systems, sustainable polymers, and advanced manufacturing.
"Looking forward, our mission is to ensure that polymer science continues to evolve in ways that address the world's most pressing challenges," says Arronche.
"Lehigh's PSE program continues to expand its research partnerships and explore new applications of polymer science in energy, healthcare, and sustainable design," she continues. "The 50th anniversary gathering underscored its enduring impact on both the university and the global engineering community."
Arronche credits the events success to the dynamic presentations and discussion among sponsors and colleagues from a long list of participating industry and academic organizations, including: 3M, Air Products, Ames Rubber, ARDL, Arkema, Arlanxeo, B Braun, BASF, Collaborative Testing Services, Compound Solutions LLC, Greene Tweed, Lacks Enterprises, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, MAPEI Group, MARPG, McLube, Nordmann US, Northwestern University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, R.E. Carroll, Syensqo, University of Dayton Research Institute, University of Massachusetts and Victaulic.
For more on Lehigh's PSE program, visit engineering.lehigh/edu/polymers.
