Lehigh University:

Lehigh in Our Lives:
Carol and Joe Snyder '65

These days, retired UPS executive Joe Snyder travels the world with his wife, Carol, photographing wildlife in exotic locales ranging from Japan to Gabon to New Zealand. Yet come fall, you'll find him and his family much closer to home – camped out at Goodman Stadium for the tailgates, singing along with the Marching 97.

Snyder fell in love with the band back when he became a member. An engineering student from a musical family, Snyder enjoyed being part of the enthusiasm and spirit of the band, playing to a packed Taylor Stadium or winning over the Harvard crowd with a particularly spectacular drill.

While Snyder's work and a stint in the Air Force took him away from Lehigh for a time, he and Carol reconnected with Lehigh in the 1980s. Their daughter, Kathy, came to Lehigh and joined the band. And, after attending the dedication of the Zoellner Arts Center and getting to know more about music at Lehigh, the Snyders asked how they could help increase opportunities for students and build up the Marching 97.

"When you make a gift, you want to do something that will make a difference, so that people will have an advantage and also enjoy what they're doing," says Snyder. To that end, the Snyders created the Snyder Family Marching 97 Scholarship, specifically for music students involved in the band.

"There was such camaraderie and good friendships in the Marching 97," Snyder says. "We hope that through this scholarship, we will be able to inspire students and provide opportunities to as many people as we can."

The Snyders have added to the fund through the years, most recently as part of the Shine Forever campaign. The first year the scholarship was in place, two students benefited from the generous contribution. The fund now supports nine students each year.

"We have always been impressed with the people who take advantage of the scholarships," says Snyder. "There are so many opportunities in music today, and students can get so much out of it. The Marching 97 is a great organization. We're proud to be able to help them work toward even greater success."

For more information on how you can make an impact through an endowed scholarship, contact Lorraine Wiedorn '84G, director of planned giving, at (610) 758-4874.