Recognizing the Real Impact of Lehigh Students in the World
Join us at the Future Makers Convocation to celebrate exemplary senior students and their high-impact, externally-validated accomplishments. The event will showcase excellence, measurable impact, and the value of a Lehigh education, both within and alongside the curriculum.
Distinguished Award Winners
Knowledge Creator Award - Chingiz Tuleubayev
For advancing the frontiers of understanding through original research, inquiry, and the creation of knowledge that enlightens and empowers.
Purposeful Scholar Award - Callie Higgins
For scholarly excellence in pursuit of purpose — turning research into meaningful action for humanity’s good.
Design Futurist Award - Malayna Leopold
For imaginative design that blends creativity, technology, and social insight to shape the future of human experience.
Global Changemaker Award - Rhema Hooper
For advancing global well-being through innovation, empathy, and cross-cultural collaboration that transcends borders.
Sustainable Futures Architect Award - James Frerichs
For designing creative, sustainable solutions that build a more resilient and responsible future for all.
Inclusive Leader Award - Zelalem Ayalew
For championing equity, empathy, and belonging — ensuring that progress includes every voice and vision.
Visionary Entrepreneur Award - Cedrique Wafula
For entrepreneurial courage and imagination — transforming bold ideas into ventures that create lasting change.
Civic Catalyst Award - Julie Wright
For igniting positive change in our communities through leadership, advocacy, and the courage to act locally for global impact.
Trailblazing Innovator Award - Dulra Amolegbe
For pioneering new ideas with fearless creativity — setting the pace for what’s next in discovery and design.
Application & Nomination Process:
Are you a student with senior standing, or do you know one, whose work and insights are shaping the future of our community, economy, and planet?
Have you/Have they:
➤ Published a research paper
➤ Co-authored a patent
➤ Presented at a national or international professional conference
➤ Created a new policy, process, or product
➤ Led sustainable, community-focused impact
➤ …or created significant value beyond Lehigh University in other ways?
FAQs
1. What is a Statement of Support?
A statement of support is a brief statement from an organization verifying a student’s accomplishments within an organization or community. Statements of support can be 2-3 sentences written by a supervisor or community partner verifying that the student has accomplished the work he/she is submitting for recognition. Statements do not have to be as detailed or lengthy as a letter of reference. Students are describing their work and its impact – statements of support are serving as third-party validation of that work.
For questions, please email Michelle Spada, Lehigh360 Program Manager, at mcs619@lehigh.edu.