Lehigh University Athletics
Goodman gift endows effort to attract best scholar-athletes
1/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
With his latest gift, Goodman has become Lehigh’s most generous living donor with lifetime commitments of more than $20 million, including $8.7 million to the “Shine Forever: The Campaign for Lehigh” effort launched publicly on Oct. 15, 2004.
A bold vision for athletics
Goodman’s donation establishes the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics position, reflecting Goodman’s strong belief in the complementary role of athletics and academics at exemplary institutions like Lehigh. Joe Sterrett ’76, a former All-American quarterback who has served as athletics director since 1989, was formally installed Friday as the first Goodman Dean of Athletics.
Although a number of elite colleges have endowed positions in athletics, the title of “Dean of Athletics” is believed to be the first such distinction at a Division I institution.
“I have always felt that a good athlete with a good education can become one of the great citizens of our country,” Goodman says. “The combination will almost always ensure future and dual success. Therefore, I hope this gift will enable
“The title of ‘Dean of Athletics’ is both unusual and highly significant,” says Gregory Farrington, president of Lehigh. “Colleges are institutions of higher education, not institutions of higher athletics, though too many appear to have forgotten the difference. At Lehigh our goal most definitely is to win on the field, but it is even more important for our athletes to win in the classroom, and then to graduate and go on to win at life. We are honored that Murray Goodman shares this perspective on athletics and has provided a significant investment that will allow us to continue to attract and retain student-athletes and coach-educators who embrace this philosophy.”
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. The university is treating the Goodman commitment as a “challenge” gift in that it will aim to match the Goodman gift by generating additional athletics endowment funds during the campaign.
“Lehigh is honored and challenged by Mr. Goodman's investment,” Sterrett says. “His values and aspirations for Lehigh and our athletics program are well aligned with our own long held beliefs. His investment inspires us and enables us to achieve at the highest possible level without any compromise of our educational mission.”
Goodman’s support of Lehigh athletics has been significant. Since 1986, Goodman has donated money to construct the Murray H. Goodman Stadium and funded an indoor tennis facility, known as the
Most recently, Goodman created the Murray H. Goodman Endowed Chair in Basketball, a position held by Billy Taylor. In 2004, the Lehigh men’s basketball team won the Patriot League Championship under
Funding innovative teaching in real estate
Goodman’s new endowment for the Goodman Real Estate Center will fund a new endowed chair in real estate studies known as the Collins-Goodman Chair for Real Estate in the
Collins graduated from Lehigh in 1957 with a degree in business administration. He is executive vice president and partner of CB Richard Ellis Whittier Partners with offices in
The new professorship will be dedicated to supporting curricular and teaching innovation in real estate at the undergraduate level within Lehigh’s
A legacy of generosity: Murray
Goodman is a trustee emeritus of
In addition to his financial generosity, Goodman has guided Lehigh as it has expanded its campus to
Anthony Corallo, Lehigh associate vice president for facilities planning and renovation, said: “In his years as chairman and now chairman emeritus of the Physical Planning and Plant Committee, Murray was the visionary as the campus grew. In fact, it was Murray who suggested that the
A native of
Upon graduation, Goodman was vice president of Murray Realty & Construction Company in
Goodman has also been active in the general contracting business throughout
In the 1990s, after a period of concentrating on property management, Goodman returned to development. In 2000, his company developed several properties including the Neiman Marcus Palm Beach and, in 2001, the Coral Sky Plaza Royal Palm Beach. Goodman’s philanthropy extends to other organizations as well, including the
Goodman is married to Joanie Mellor Goodman. He has five children.
Goodman’s most recent philanthropy to Lehigh is part of the University’s $500 million “Shine Forever: The Campaign for Lehigh” fundraising effort. He is one of the campaign’s honorary chairs and is among the top five donors. To date, Lehigh has raised more than $198 million for faculty and coaching positions, undergraduate scholarships, facilities enhancement and operating support.
