President Alison Byerly discussed topics of interest to Lafayette alumni, parents, and friends with Alex Karapetian ’04, president of the Alumni Association, and Lisa Kassel ’79, president-elect of the association, in a live webchat Monday evening.
Members of the extended Lafayette community submitted questions about academics, social life, alumni engagement, what sets Lafayette apart, the student body, the College’s relationship with Easton, and other topics.
Byerly said she has enjoyed getting to know many Lafayette graduates across the country. “Every college has committed alumni, but there is a special quality to the Lafayette commitment. Lafayette alumni are committed to doing what they can for the institution, and they are not afraid to question the institution if there are things they are concerned about,” she said.
The conversation touched on the exciting year at Lafayette, including the celebrations surrounding the 150th Lafayette vs. Lehigh football game, the public launch of the $400 million Live Connected, Lead Change campaign, the men’s basketball team’s appearance in the NCAA tournament, and the voyage of the Hermione, the replica of the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to America in 1780.
Looking to the future, Byerly said that through the campaign, the College will build on the strengths that drew her to Lafayette, “the combination of liberal arts and engineering, the innovation and creativity that faculty bring to their teaching, and the strength of the Lafayette community.”