Residence Hall Spotlight: Drinker House

Drinker House is located next to Dravo House and Richards House, and nearby McClintic-Marshall House. Drinker was built in honor of Henry S. Drinker, Class of 1871, and University President from 1905 to 1920.

131 first- and second-year students will live on one of Drinker’s four floors this year, either in a single, double, or triple room. While the residence hall is co-ed, the floors are single-gender. All rooms include movable furniture, including a bed, mattress, dresser, closet, and desk with shelves and a chair.

The first floor of Drinker has a TV lounge, study lounge, kitchen, vending machines, and a laundry facility. Students can play a game of pool, relax, and watch TV!

This year, Drinker House is home to the Global Lehigh Themed Community. Global Lehigh residents explore different cultures through programming, events, meals, and guest speakers. Students work closely with the Office of International Students & Scholars, the Study Abroad Office, and the Lee Iacocca Institute. Although select activities are reserved only for those living in the specific themed community, others will be open for all students living in Drinker to participate.

Each of the residence halls is managed by a full-time, Master’s-level professional who supervises the Gryphon staff in addition to central office responsibilities and planning. Ethan Fields, an Assistant Director of Residence Life, oversees both McClintic-Marshall and Drinker House. Ethan lives in an embedded apartment in M&M so that in case of an on-campus emergency he can respond quickly.

What advice does Ethan have for students living in Drinker next year? “(1) Have an open door policy as much as possible. You will really get to know people by just reaching out to the residents who pass by your door. (2) Spend time in the common spaces in your building. Your peers are your greatest resource. (3) Get to know your Gryphon and the rest of the Gryphons in your building. Gryphons are here to help and to make the community a better place to live. (4) Utilize the basketball court in between Drinker and M&M for pick-up games. (5) Run for your area’s Residence Hall Council to serve as a leader in your community. Through RHC, you have access to funds to put on programming for your community and you will serve as the voice of the community to the Residence Hall Association and greater campus.”
We are so excited for MOOV-In Day and to meet Drinker’s new residents!

Meet the Head Gryphons: Luis Castaneda

• Preferred name: Luis
• Gender pronouns: he/him/his
• Residence Hall: Taylor House
• Year and major: ’16 Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ’17 Physics and M.S. Chemistry
• Hometown: Reading, PA
• One thing I can’t live without: Whatever is next in the Pokemon Game series
• Favorite movie: Coneheads
• Favorite TV show: Orphan Black
• Favorite thing about Lehigh: The Sculpture Garden
• Favorite thing about being a Gryphon: Peer mentoring and the chance to introduce new events and ideas to people
• Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: Close communities and easy access to many other hall communities
• Favorite thing about Bethlehem: Full of Crepe
• One thing on your Lehigh bucket list: Go to a wrestling match for the first time
• Other clubs and organizations: Society of Physics Students (SPS), Spectrum
• Fun fact about myself: I played semi-professional ping pong for a short time in my teenage years.

Residence Hall Spotlight: Taylor House

Taylor House resides between McClintic-Marshall House and the entrance of Sayre Park on University Drive. The residence hall sits across from Johnson Hall, home to the health center, and nearby the University Center. The U-shaped building surrounds a large courtyard where students can relax, study, or play a pickup game of soccer.

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie gifted Taylor House to the university in honor of his friend and University trustee Charles L. Taylor, Class of 1876. In addition to being Lehigh’s first residential college, the residence hall is also one of the first concrete structures ever built.

Taylor houses 130 first- and second-year students on its single-gender and co-ed hallways. All students live in either a single or a double room.

The residence hall is divided into three sections, each with its own study facility and large multipurpose room equipped with a kitchen and TV. The first floor has a lounge with vending machines, as well as a laundry facility. Taylor House is completely air conditioned.

This year, Taylor is also home to the STEM Themed Community. STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is supported in part by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and aims to develop students for leadership roles in their field. STEM community students benefit from programming with experts, one-on-one mentoring, and close faculty advising.

Each of the residence halls is managed by a full-time, Master’s-level professional who supervises the Gryphon staff in addition to central office responsibilities and planning. Sarah Thompson, an Assistant Director of Residence Life, oversees Taylor House, as well as Sayre Park Village, Trembley Park, UMOJA, and House 104. Sarah lives in an embedded apartment in the Taylor so that in case of an on-campus emergency she can respond quickly.

Sarah is new to the Office of Residence Life staff, having joined this June. So what is she looking forward to this year? “Since I’m just beginning, I am transitioning to Lehigh as well as the first years! I am looking forward to getting to know campus and its traditions! I am excited to form connections and explore all campus has to offer.”

Less than a month until MOOV-In Day!

 

Meet the Head Gryphons: David Kabrt

 

• Preferred name: David

• Gender pronouns: He, him, his

• Residence Hall: Richards

• Year and major: Senior, Accounting and Supply Chain Management

• Hometown: North Caldwell, NJ

• One thing I can’t live without: My friends

• Favorite movie: Dredd

• Favorite TV show: 30 Rock

• Favorite thing about Lehigh: The breadth of extracurricular activities

• Favorite thing about being a Gryphon: Being a guide for younger Lehigh Students

• Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: Always something going on and people around

• Favorite thing about Bethlehem: Celtic Fest

• One thing on my Lehigh bucket list: Oktoberfest

• Other clubs and organizations: Supply Chain Major Club, Sigma Phi Epsilon

• Fun fact about myself: I have both a boating license and an open sea scuba diving certification. Neither of which I have utilized in the past 8 years. However if you drop something in the ocean this year (and it falls no deeper than 130 feet) it would be legal (though not advisable) for me to boat out there and dive for it.

 

 

Residence Hall Spotlight: Centennial II Complex

The Centennial II complex resides on the easternmost region of campus, below Centennial I complex and Rathbone dining hall. Commonly referred to as Lower Cents, the complex is made up of six individual buildings arranged in a quadrangle, surrounding a grass courtyard and volleyball pit.

Beardslee House was named for Dr. Claude G. Beardslee, who served as chaplain from 1931 to 1947. Carothers was named for Dr. Neil Carothers, the dean of business. Palmer House was named after Dr. Philip M. Palmer, who was the dean of the arts. The Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens was a Protestant Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and the first president of the university board of trustees, as well as the principal architect of the university’s original academic plan, thus Stevens House was named for him. Stoughton House was named for Dr. Bradley Stoughton, the dean of the engineering college for three years in the 1930’s. Williams House was named after Dr. Clement C. Williams, the president of the university from 1935 to 1944.

Each of the residence halls houses between 44 and 45 students, who live on single-gender floors. Students live mostly in doubles, with a few triples and quads that have private bathrooms. All rooms are equipped with a bed, mattress, desk, desk chair, bookshelf, dresser, closet, and medicine cabinet with a mirror.

The first floor of each building hosts a lounge area that features a TV room, game room, kitchen, and two study areas. The laundry facility is located underneath Stoughton House. Lower Cents is also in close proximity to Taylor Gym and Zoellner Arts Center.

This year, Lower Cents is also home to the ArtsAlive themed community. ArtsAlive connects students to the arts on campus and in the Bethlehem community through programming and trips to the Zoellner Arts Center, ArtsQuest, Banana Factory, Touchstone Theatre, Godfrey Daniels, and other venues in the Lehigh Valley, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Each of the residence halls is managed by a full-time, Master’s-level professional who supervises the Gryphon staff in addition to central office responsibilities and planning. Lou Gardiner, an Assistant Director of Residence Life, oversees both Centennial I and II complexes. Lou lives in an embedded apartment in the Centennial II complex so that in case of an on-campus emergency he can respond quickly.

Lou is new to the Office of Residence Life staff, having joined this June. So what is he looking forward to this year? “What I’m most looking forward to this year is working with the AWESOME ResLife and DOS (Dean of Students) team as well as the Gryphons. Since I started in June, everyone has been so great to work with and so welcoming. With our diverse experiences and personalities, I know that our crew is going to do some big things this year! I’m also looking forward to experiencing and living in a new area and institution. So far, I’ve really been loving the Lehigh Valley and all it has to offer.”

Less than a month until MOOV-In day! We can’t wait for new students to call Lower Cents home!

Meet the Head Gryphons: Kyle Smyth

 

• Preferred name: Kyle

• Gender pronouns: He/him/his

• Residence Hall: Centennial II complex, aka Lower Cents

• Year and major: Senior, Chemical engineering

• Hometown: Toms River, NJ

• One thing you can’t live without: My family

• Favorite movie: Inception

• Favorite TV show: How I Met Your Mother

• Favorite thing about Lehigh: The perfect size (not too big, not too small)

• Favorite thing about being a Gryphon: Being able to make a difference in other people’s lives

• Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: There are plenty of people around

• Favorite thing about Bethlehem: The restaurants

• One thing on your Lehigh bucket list: Not sure yet (Here are some recommendations, Kyle!)

• Other clubs and organizations: Club Soccer and Snowboard Club

• Fun fact about yourself: I was a ten pound, 11 ounce baby

 

 

Residence Hall Spotlight: Centennial I Complex

The Centennial I complex, commonly referred to as Upper Cents, is comprised of six buildings that reside across from Rathbone dining hall on the easternmost part of campus.

Congdon House was named after Dr. Wray H. Congdon, who served as the dean of students, dean of the graduate school, and as a special assistant to the president. Emery House was named for Dr. Natt M. Emery, who was vice president and controller of the university. Leavitt House was named to honor the second president of the university, the Rev. Dr. John McD. Leavitt, who served from 1875 to 1879. C. Maxwell McConn was the dean of the university for 15 years between 1923 and 1938, thus McConn House was named for him. Smiley House was named for Dr. E. Kenneth Smiley, who served as vice president from 1945 to 1964. Thornburg House was named after Dr. Charles G. Thornburg, a professor of mathematics and head of the department from 1895 to 1923. From the mid 1970’s to the late 1990’s, Upper Cents housed Lehigh’s sororities before they moved into their chapter houses.

Each residence hall houses 44 students, 22 of each of the single-gender floors. Students live together in doubles, equipped with a desk with a bookshelf and desk chair, bed, mattress, dresser, closet, and a medicine cabinet with a mirror.

The first floor of each residence hall features a lounge with a large TV room, game room, study area, and kitchen. The laundry facility, along with a vending area, is centrally located within the Centennial I complex, underneath a large outdoor patio with a gorgeous view of the Lehigh Valley. 

This year, Upper Cents is also home to the Creative Commons themed community. The Creative Commons: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community houses a variety of students who all have big ideas and want to make them real. Student collaborate with The Baker Institute for Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, as well as other innovators in the Bethlehem community to bring their ideas to life.

Each of the residence halls is managed by a full-time, Master’s-level professional who supervises the Gryphon staff in addition to central office responsibilities and planning. Lou Gardiner, an Assistant Director of Residence Life, oversees both Centennial I and II complexes. Lou lives in an embedded apartment in the Centennial II complex so that in case of an on-campus emergency he can respond quickly.

Lou is new to the Office of Residence Life staff, having joined this June. So what is he looking forward to this year? “What I’m most looking forward to this year is working with the AWESOME ResLife and DOS (Dean of Students) team as well as the Gryphons. Since I started in June, everyone has been so great to work with and so welcoming. With our diverse experiences and personalities, I know that our crew is going to do some big things this year! I’m also looking forward to experiencing and living in a new area and institution. So far, I’ve really been loving the Lehigh Valley and all it has to offer.”

It’s not too much longer until MOOV-In and we get to welcome new students to Upper Cents!

Meet the Head Gryphons: Sonja Gorman

 

• Preferred name: Sonja

• Gender pronouns: She/her/hers

• Residence Hall: McClintic-Marshall (M&M)

• Year and major: Graduate student in the Healthcare Systems Engineering Master’s of Engineering program

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon

• One thing I can’t live without: Interpersonal relationships

• Favorite movie: An Education

• Favorite TV show: Lost

• Favorite thing about Lehigh: Opportunities to develop professionally

• Favorite thing about being a Gryphon: Mentoring students by sharing my own experiences

• Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: There’s never a dull moment!

• Favorite thing about Bethlehem: Its layers of history, from the Moravian settlement to the heyday of Bethlehem Steel to the revitalization of the South Side as a fulcrum for the arts

• One thing on my Lehigh bucket list: Find the stairs to the roof of Linderman Library

• Other clubs and organizations: UN Youth Representative, Global Citizenship alumnus, Eckardt Scholar

• Fun fact about myself: English is my second language

 

 

Residence Hall Spotlight: McClintic-Marshall House

McClintic-Marshall House resides South of Johnson Hall, next to Taylor House, and is conveniently near the University Center. Commonly referred to as M&M, McClintic-Marshall is named after two Lehigh graduates, Howard McClintic and Charles Marshall. The Class of 1888 grads built the Golden Gate Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and the Panama Canal.

The H-shaped building houses 280 students, who all live in doubles throughout the three floors. M&M is separated into A and B wings, with each side being a single gender hall, that have a shared lounge between them. All of the shared lounges have a TV, couch, comfy chairs, and a table with chairs that many students use to study together.

 

Each resident has a bed, a mattress, a desk with shelves and a chair, a closet, a bulletin board, and a medicine cabinet with a mirror. One side of the room will have 2 sets of cabinets, which roommates can share between them. All rooms are air conditioned and have a switch to change the temperature.

In the residence hall, there is a lounge area directly inside the main entrance. To one side of that lounge there is a larger programming lounge with a kitchen, game room, and vending machines, and on the other side remains the laundry room.

This year, McClintic-Marshall is also home to the Outdoor Adventure and STEM themed communities. The Outdoor Adventure community promotes outdoor sports and activities, such as weekend camping trips, hiking, skiing, and themed movie nights. Partially sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the STEM community offers programming, peer-to-peer mentoring, and faculty advising to support the students’ leadership development in their chosen field. Although select activities are reserved only for those living in the specific themed community, others will be open for all students living in M&M to participate.

 

Each of the residence halls is managed by a full-time, Master’s-level professional who supervises the Gryphon staff in addition to central office responsibilities and planning. Ethan Fields, an Assistant Director of Residence Life, oversees both McClintic-Marshall and Drinker House. Ethan lives in an embedded apartment in M&M so that in case of an on-campus emergency he can respond quickly.

 

What advice does Ethan have for students living in M&M next year? “(1) Have an open door policy as much as possible. You will really get to know people by just reaching out to the residents who pass by your door. (2) Spend time in the common spaces in your building. Your peers are your greatest resource. (3) Get to know your Gryphon and the rest of the Gryphons in your building. Gryphons are here to help and to make the community a better place to live. (4) Utilize the basketball court in between Drinker and M&M for pick-up games. (5) Run for your area’s Residence Hall Council to serve as a leader in your community. Through RHC, you have access to funds to put on programming for your community and you will serve as the voice of the community to the Residence Hall Association and greater campus.”

We can’t wait until MOOV-In day to see all of the new M&M residents!

Meet the Head Gryphons: Samantha Randall

 

• Preferred Name: Sam

• Gender Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

• Residence Hall: Drinker

• Year and Major: Junior (2018), Political Science and English (WGSS minor)

• Hometown: Bethlehem, PA

• One thing I can’t live without: Being the nerd I am, I couldn’t live without Harry Potter!

 

• Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice

• Favorite TV Show: Parks and Recreation

• Favorite thing about Lehigh: My favorite thing about Lehigh is all of the unique opportunities offered. The amount of clubs and activities available help keep me busy and widen my horizon beyond just my academic classes!

 

• Favorite thing about being a Gryphon: My favorite part of being a Gryphon is the mentor aspect. I love being there for my residents and helping them through tough times and just being a friend for them!

• Favorite thing about living in a Residence Hall: Community all the way! It’s so nice to live on a hall with a bunch of people your age and always having the opportunity to chat with someone no matter the time!

• Favorite thing about Bethlehem: As a Bethlehem native, I know a few spots around town that many Lehigh students don’t, specifically on the Northside. My favorite thing about Bethlehem is a park called the Archibald Johnston Conservation Area. It is the old mansion and grounds of Bethlehem’s first mayor that has been turned into a public park. The grounds are absolutely beautiful!

• One thing on my Lehigh Bucket List: My number one activity for my Lehigh bucket list was to go abroad and I’m happy to say I’m currently doing just that! I’m in Tubingen, Germany on an Iacocca Internship!

• Other clubs and organizations: LU Planned Parenthood Generation Action, Break the Silence, Lehigh Says NO MORE, LU Philharmonic Orchestra, University Committee on Discipline, Spectrum, LTS Employee, Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity

• Fun fact about me: My go to fun fact is that I’m so obsessed with Harry Potter that I’ve read each book in the series at least 8 times!