Prolongation of President's Highly Respected Scholarship Position
Richard Verma '90, the former U.S. Ambassador to India and Deputy Secretary of State, has had his term as Lehigh University's President's Distinguished Fellow extended through December 2025. This extension will allow Verma to continue engaging with students and the broader university community, fostering meaningful dialogue on national and global issues.
In his role as the President's Distinguished Fellow, Verma has led discussions on various topics, shared insights on leadership, guest lectured classes, hosted programmes, and mentored students. One of the highlights of his tenure was a visit to New York City, where students had the opportunity to gain insights from leaders shaping national and international policy. The itinerary included visits to the Ford Foundation headquarters and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
During this visit, Verma played a pivotal role in coordinating the day's events and led the delegation. The students engaged directly with influential figures such as former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, and Acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea.
Verma emphasised the importance of building connections, friendships, and relationships within communities like the Lehigh Valley. He stated that progress and the betterment of future generations starts close to home within communities. The people-to-people contacts and shared values will be the glue that holds us together, according to Verma.
Since graduating from Lehigh University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering with a minor in international relations, Verma has remained actively involved with the university through various roles, including as a trustee and Commencement speaker.
During mentoring meetings with students, Verma covered topics such as global affairs, career development, and more. He reiterated his commitment to the university during a mentoring meeting in February, stating that Lehigh is a community he is eager to remain engaged with for many years beyond his graduation.
By inviting leaders like Verma to share their expertise, the university continues to enhance its academic environment and position itself as a hub for meaningful dialogue on national and global issues. Verma's Fellowship underscores Lehigh's dedication to preparing students for the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
This article was written by Colin McEvoy, Carina Sitkus, and Lauren Thein. It does not contain any advertisements. On April 18, Verma delivered a Presidential Distinguished Fellow Lecture titled "From South Mountain to the State Department: A Diplomat's View of Global Challenges and Opportunities" at Zoellner Arts Center.
Verma's lecture and his continued engagement with the university were supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. We look forward to the impact Verma will continue to have on Lehigh University and its students in the coming years.
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