The Baccalaureate service is part of the Lehigh graduation traditions.  The service itself, led by University Chaplain Lloyd Steffen with participation from Rabbi Seth Goren and Father Wayne Killian, begins with a very short history of the Baccalaureate and its purpose in the Commencement activities.  (The service originated with a 14th c. statute at Oxford University, and has been is a steadfast graduation tradition at Lehigh.)  The service includes some outstanding choral music, but its true purpose is to present a "farewell address" to graduating seniors..  At Lehigh, the tradition has been to invite a person of high distinction to deliver the address.   This year, 2010, Dr. Daniel Callahan, a pioneer in the develoopment iof the field of biomedical ethics, will speak to the class on the topic, "Living in a Time of Confusion and Controversy."  Dr. Callahan has written 41 books and lectured around the world at over 800 universities.  Given all the attention to health care the past two years and Lehigh's own health initiative, we sought out Dr. Callahan as a particularly relevant voice for us to hear this year.  Dr. Callahan has some quite controversial views, especially about continued medical technology research and development. Lehigh University is honored that he accepted the invitation tospeak. 

The Baccalaureate service lasts an hour; some students representing different reliogus traditions participate; there is music, and notes of appreciation from parents, guests and students over the years indicate that the service has been a meaningful part of the Commencement activities. The service is always standing room only, and in recent years speakers have been place on the patio in front of the church because of the crowd. It is suggested those who want to be assured of a seat come a little early.  Music for the program begins a little before 4:00 p.m. on the Sunday of Baccalaureate, May 23, 2010.

For a list of Lehigh's Baccalaureate speakers since 1991, see:  Baccalaureate Speakers.