In 2009 we established a fund to aid Lehigh to require all undergrads to take at least one course in Ethical Decision Making. It stemmed from concern at that time that many frauds were being perpetrated and religions were less a part of culture. We wanted to be certain that our graduates left Lehigh with a moral compass as they moved into their careers.
Pete Hagerman and Mike Hoben spearheaded getting the class involved and within 4 years over $120,000 was raised. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) appointed a director and we began having events at 4PM on ethical topics. In January 2016, Pete (pictured below at our 50th) died bequeathing in excess of $2 Million so we became a major Endowment.
Over the years we have had some great success – 2 Ethics Symposiums, Carly Fiorina, Billionaire Alumnus and Joel Rosenstein being 2 of the most foremost.
There is now an Ethics Center within the College of Health under the direction of Professor Michael Gusmano. An extensive growth of the center’s outreach at Lehigh within all the colleges and many departments as well speaks well to the founders’ goal. The Hagerman Annual lecture continues to bring people of notoriety to campus.
The Class continues involvement through and Advisory Board of class members Mike Hoben, Paul Smith and Ed Watters rounded out with Kari Arienti ’86 and Andi Lucas Schmerin ‘11.
Hagerman 2026 Lecture
Mark your calendar to join us on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
The speakers are Carl Bernstein and Robert Kagan, and the title of the event is “Freedom of Expression in Polarized Times; The Best Attainable Version of The Truth.” The event will be on the Mountaintop Campus in the Wood Dining Room. If you are unable to attend we will send a link to a recording of the event if available.
Recent lectures:
April 10, 2025 Kevin Roose, author of Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the age of Automation visited the campus for a 6 pm Hagerman lecture.
