For the second time in the university’s history, a Lehigh engineer is at the helm. Joseph J. Helble ’82 is a chemical engineering alumnus and Lehigh’s 15th president. He returns to South Bethlehem having pursued research related to air pollution, carbon dioxide capture, and other impacts of fossil fuel use. Most recently, Helble served as provost at Dartmouth College, following a 13-year tenure as dean of the Thayer School of Engineering. Under his leadership, Dartmouth became the first comprehensive research university in the nation to have more women graduate with a bachelor’s degree in engineering than men. Diverse communities are stronger communities, says Helble. "I believe universities can and should lead in valuing diversity and striving for equity."
Learn more from this Q&A with President Helble on his experiences in academia and his vision for the University in Lehigh's Resolve magazine, Volume 2, 2021.