One afternoon I received a letter from a friend, a current student at Lehigh. Nestled inside the letter was a newspaper article regarding initiatives undertaken by a group of Lehigh students to provide fresh, organic food to those living in the proclaimed “food desert” of South Bethlehem. These efforts by Lehigh’s Community Growers club are inspiring to not only me, a prospective student, but also to the greater community of Bethlehem. The involvement of the local community in the Esperanza Garden will change lives by first teaching children how to plant a seed, and then how to maintain a garden, harvest the produce, and create delicious meals with the food, ultimately uniting communities and fostering a passion for sustainability that will last for generations.

Following this finding, I sought to learn more about the college’s focus on the environment, and I discovered that it not cease at the garden. I found that Lehigh’s commitment to sustainability ranged from expanding its “intellectual foodprint” to establishing an institutional commitment to climate responsibility. I kept myself updated on the students’ endeavors at Lehigh and was in awe of the opportunities and support that Lehigh provided for them. From students’ dedication to fossil fuel divestment to food insecurity, I realized that Lehigh was the place for students to make an impact on the world. I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I, like Lehigh, am invested in the future. I want to make a difference in both the lives of those with whom I have close connections and the lives of those whom I will never know. I want to inspire others and cultivate positive change, like Lehigh does, and I know Lehigh will help me achieve my goals.