Founder’s Weekend event marks the installation of Stephen P. DeWeerth as the Lewis Hay III ’77 ’08P ’11P and Sherry A. Hay ’78 ’08P ’11P Dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, celebrating the Hays’ enduring impact on engineering innovation and education
Members of the Lehigh community gathered October 17 in the Packard Laboratory lobby to celebrate the installation of Stephen P. DeWeerth as the inaugural Lewis Hay III ’77 ’08P ’11P and Sherry A. Hay ’78 ’08P ’11P Dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, a deanship established through the couple’s $7.5 million endowment gift to the college.
The ceremony, part of Lehigh’s annual Founder’s Weekend, recognized Lew and Sherry Hay’s extraordinary generosity and the lasting impact their support will have on Lehigh, the Rossin College, and the engineering profession.
President Joseph J. Helble ’82 described the occasion as both a celebration of leadership and of vision. “Thanks to the Hays’ generosity, Lehigh can advance the Rossin College’s strategic vision by providing support for key research priorities and initiatives,” he said. “As we enhance our ability to think creatively without constraint, we will continue to innovate in engineering education.”
Helble also reflected on his admiration for both the Hays and DeWeerth, who has served as dean of the Rossin College since 2016, noting the remarkable convergence of their commitment to engineering and to the university. “When I first met Steve, I was immediately impressed by his curiosity, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his prior success as a professor, entrepreneur, administrator, and engineer,” Helble said. “It was clear to me that the Rossin College was in good hands.”
Provost Nathan Urban formally installed DeWeerth as the inaugural holder of the named deanship, describing the dean’s career as one “defined by a commitment to the frontiers of engineering.”
“The Hays’ gift amplifies DeWeerth’s leadership as it strengthens the Rossin College in enduring ways—supporting faculty and students, fueling research, and enhancing the programs that prepare our graduates to lead,” Urban said. “We are excited as he continues to lead the Rossin College to new heights of impact and innovation.”
In his remarks, DeWeerth expressed his gratitude to the Hays (pictured) for their extraordinary generosity and vision. “Your love for this university, your support for our students, the faith that you’re placing in the faculty and me to continue to do great things and take this university to new heights—I appreciate it so much,” he said.
DeWeerth emphasized that the endowed deanship represents a collective investment in the college’s mission and people. “This is not about a deanship,” he said. “It’s about a university. It’s about a college. It’s about the broader impact.” He noted that the gift will strengthen Lehigh’s ability to recruit outstanding students and faculty, foster innovative research, and reimagine engineering education.
He also highlighted the First-Year Rossin Experience (FYRE)—a program now taking shape on campus to introduce students to the possibilities of engineering through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning—as one area where the Hays’ support will have a transformative effect. “The biggest impact is going to be on that First-Year Rossin Experience,” he said. “My promise to you is we will invest what you are giving us in making that a world-class program, a model for others, and an excellent way to start that first year for all of our engineering students.”
DeWeerth concluded, “These gifts can be transformative. This one will be transformative. That’s my commitment to you. We will continue to move forward, continue to excel, and continue to push the boundaries of engineering into new areas.”
About Lewis and Sherry Hay
Lew and Sherry Hay met while attending Lehigh University and have remained deeply connected to their alma mater. Lew earned his degree in electrical engineering and went on to a distinguished career in the energy industry, serving as chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy, the nation’s largest generator of renewable energy. Sherry, among Lehigh’s first women undergraduates, earned her degree in business and economics and has dedicated much of her time to community and philanthropic endeavors. Together, the Hays have supported Lehigh through decades of annual giving and leadership engagement. Their endowed deanship gift continues that legacy—ensuring that Lehigh Engineering remains a place where innovation, discovery, and opportunity thrive for generations to come.
About Stephen P. DeWeerth
Since joining Lehigh University in 2016 as dean of the Rossin College, Stephen P. DeWeerth, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering, has led major initiatives such as creating the university’s three Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, launching the Department of Bioengineering, and expanding graduate programs across engineering disciplines. His leadership has emphasized interdisciplinary research, enhanced doctoral and undergraduate experiences, and fostered a more inclusive college culture. Previously, DeWeerth held academic and leadership roles at Georgia Tech, Emory University, and Khalifa University. He is a Fellow of AAAS and AIMBE and earned his PhD in computational and neural systems from Caltech. For more on DeWeerth’s work and achievements, visit go.lehigh.edu/deweerth.