Lehigh University was founded in 1865 by Asa Packer. Since then, it has become one of the most highly regarded private universities in the country. It is widely known for its engineering department, business program and research opportunities, as well as its beautiful campus, which is set on the side of a mountain in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. But beyond all of that prestige, Lehigh has some longstanding traditions that are quite unique and maybe even a little bit weird.
For starters, every class at Lehigh starts 10 minutes after the hour. This tradition goes back to when the Bethlehem Steel Mill was still in business and many students had jobs there in order to pay for school. Lehigh decided to give students 10 minutes to get from the mill to their classes on campus after their shifts ended. This scheduling method remains unique to Lehigh even though Bethlehem Steel has long since been closed down.
Similar to class schedules, are Lehigh's exam schedules. Students working at the steel mill also had issues when exams rolled around. Because of this, Lehigh decided to create a system that allowed the students who worked to take their exams at 4 p.m., after their shifts ended. Even now on Lehigh's campus you won't hear students complaining about midterms, but rather, 4 o'clock exams.
Bed racing is a fun Lehigh tradition that has been around since the beginning of the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry. Every fall during the week leading up to the rivalry game, students gather around the front lawn and race each other in actual beds. Everyone comes out to support this silly event, and it really shows the school's spirit. Lehigh students will do just about anything in the hopes of beating Lafayette!
Another weird, but extremely fun, tradition for Lehigh students is morning cocktails, which take place before football games. "Mocos" are an excuse for the students to dress up in crazy outfits including neon leggings, hotdog costumes and tutus while having a few drinks before the game begins. This activity is definitely unique to Lehigh, as I have yet to see another school with such an odd game-day ritual.
Even though these traditions are somewhat out of the ordinary, they are what make the school one of a kind, and Lehigh would not be the same without them.
