While this issue explores the expanse of aerospace and the heights of our engineers’ achievements in the field, we begin with an important step in preparing our students to become Future Makers. I am profoundly grateful to announce a $10 million gift from David Jackson ’67, Patricia Jackson, Suzanne Jackson, and the Suzanne and David Jackson Foundation to support our innovative First Year Rossin Engineering (FYRE) program.
This transformational gift will establish the Jackson Laboratory in the historic Packard Laboratory building, creating a dedicated space where first-year students will engage in focused problem-solving and engineering thinking. Through a series of interdisciplinary modules, students are introduced to engineering practice from the start, and challenged to tackle complex problems while building the technical skills and creative confidence that define the Lehigh engineer.
The Jackson family’s generosity builds on remarkable momentum behind FYRE. In recent months, Lewis (Lew) Hay III ’77 ’08P ’11P and Sherry A. Hay ’78 ’08P ’11P established an endowed deanship of the Rossin College, inspired by this vision for engineering education. In total, the enthusiasm FYRE has created across the Lehigh Engineering community has resulted in $18 million in gifts over the past eighteen months.
Finalized just as this issue of Resolve is going to press, the Jacksons’ gift marks a milestone for FYRE. You can read an update on the program’s progress in this issue, and our Fall 2026 edition will discuss the impact of this philanthropy in greater depth.
At the same time, the Rossin College is making renewed investments in research around specific industries where we are poised to create real impact. One such investment is our focus on engineering for the “New Space” economy. Building on Lehigh’s enduring legacy, these efforts include the launch of our new Master of Science in Aerospace and Space Systems Engineering, expanded support for student clubs and competition teams that give students practical experience designing and building flight systems, and the recruitment of faculty whose research is advancing technologies in this exciting field.
The careers of alumni such as Greg Scaven ’85, an expert in propulsion subsystems, and Michelle Parker ’92 (pictured above), Vice President and Chief Engineer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security programs (pictured with me, above, and featured in this edition's Q&A , reflect the academic rigor of the Lehigh experience as a launchpad into industry leadership.
Beyond aerospace, we continue to push boundaries as a Carnegie R1 university focused on interdisciplinary problem-solving. The Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT), a hub for researchers applying technical expertise to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities, is a vital example.
The strength of our research enterprise is also reflected in the February 2026 election of Professor Israel E. Wachs to the National Academy of Engineering —among the highest professional distinctions an engineer can receive. The honor recognizes Professor Wachs’ lifetime of achievement in catalysis research, driving industrial and environmental innovations that make global chemical processes more efficient and sustainable.
Finally, in this issue’s Rising Star article, we highlight Lifang He, an associate professor of computer science and engineering. As an emerging leader in AI and machine learning for health and biomedicine, she exemplifies the next generation of researchers advancing a tradition of breakthrough innovation with real, lasting impact.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Resolve; thank you, as always, for your interest in Lehigh Engineering!
Stephen P. DeWeerth, Lew and Sherry Hay Dean
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
steve.deweerth@lehigh.edu
