October 17, 2004
First-Ever D1 �Dean Of Athletics� Position Established
FROM PENNSYLVANIA�S POCONOS MOUNTAINS comes word of a remarkably generous athletics donation that will establish a unique �Dean of Athletics� endowed position at Lehigh University.
Murray Goodman, a 1948 Lehigh grad�and former captain of the basketball team--has made a $6 million donation to his alma mater to create new funding for Lehigh�s nationally regarded athletics program.
Goodman�s donation establishes the Goodman Dean of Athletics position, reflecting the complementary role of athletics and academics at the university level.
Joe Sterrett, a 1976 Lehigh grad, was formally installed as the first Dean of Athletics. Sterrett is a former All-American quarterback who has served as athletics director since 1989.
Although a number of elite colleges have endowed positions in athletics, the title �Dean of Athletics� is believed to be the first such distinction at a Division I institution.
With his latest gift, Goodman has become Lehigh�s most generous living donor with lifetime commitments of more than $20 million.
�The title of �Dean of Athletics� is both unusual and highly significant,� says Gregory Farrington, Lehigh president. �Colleges are institutions of higher education, not institutions of higher athletics, though too many appear to have forgotten the difference.�
The gift will also provide funding for full-time assistant coaches in a number of men�s and women�s sports as well as new positions that aid student-athlete development, such as strength and movement training.
A native of Bethlehem, Goodman graduated from Lehigh with a BS in business administration in 1948. He spent three years in the U.S. Army Air Force, then went out into the world to become a stellar success in commercial real estate.
And now he�s giving back.
Goodman appears to be a really good man.
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(this 280 word excerpt�with attendant commentary�was distilled from a 1205 word Lehigh University press release and a 294 word article from the Allentown Morning Call, 10-16-04)