Articles by Max Randall
Ryan Mackenzie loses race, supporters reflect on campaign
Around 10:20 p.m on Tuesday night, incumbent candidate for PA-7 Ryan Mackenzie (R) took the stage at the Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after falling to Bob Brooks (D). Mackenzie said he, the campaign and supporters did not go down without a fight.
How academic and community leadership responds to the midterm election
On Nov. 5, 2024, Lehigh University President Joseph Helble joined Lehigh students in line for five hours to vote at the Banana Factory. Helble’s campus residence puts him in the PA-7 congressional district with many Lehigh voters, so he was in the same line as many young voters. He said it was the longest time he had ever waited to vote. In line, he said he noticed the students’ commitment to experiencing democracy.
Economics professors go head-to-head in the “Battle of Economic Ideas”
Uniformed in a fitted gray suit, economics professor Ahmed Rahman debated economics professor emeritus Frank Gunter on Monday afternoon in Packer Auditorium. This was the fifth time the two professors have gone “head-to-head” in an event series, called the “Battle of Economic Ideas,” centered around current economic policy. This event series is hosted by Lehigh’s economic society.
Rock and Roll hall of famer Graham Nash performs at Lehigh
Hailing from Blackpool, England, Graham Nash’s show at Lehigh was one of three universities hosting his band with Todd Caldwell, Adam Minkoff and Zach Djanikian on their North American tour. The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee of supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Hollies rocked a sold-out show in Baker Hall on Thursday night. Nash has a history of being politically outspoken, and his show in Bethlehem was no exception.
Reflections on Jewish identity in 2026
The past few weeks I have begun to wrap tefillin, as a way to connect to Judaism and spirituality while at college. In Judaism, binding tefillin to the arm and head during morning prayers is a traditional custom. Tefillin are small boxes with hebrew scrolls and leather straps. When I wrap, I’m able to take a second out of my day to think about something greater than myself. I meditate for a moment and set intentions for my day.
Cristiano Burmester documents stories through photography
Cristiano Burmester said he has always felt a visual connection to the world. Burmester is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a career that spans different forms of media including film, magazines and documentaries. He said he’s touched by stories on communities connected to nature. On Tuesday evening, Burmester, a scholar and photographer, guided over 40 students, faculty and other community members on a journey of visual storytelling through the history of photography and his own practice.
Vehicle Incident on South Mountain Drive
A motorbike heading down South Mountain Drive skidded due to an SUV turning left on South Mountain Drive from Lower Sayre Park Rd around 10:25 p.m. tonight, according to Officer Brynok. Officer Brynok of Bethlehem Police said the department is unsure if the cars collided at all. Neither vehicle drivers were on the scene at 10:30 p.m. A HawkWatch Alert was sent out telling people to avoid the area. The scene was cleaned up by 10:55 p.m, and the bike was towed away.
Lehigh’s Lily Fandre: Inspired by father, family
On evenings in Andover, Minnesota, a young, tall and athletic Lily Fandre sits on the gymnasium bleachers working on coloring books as her father practices with his league basketball team. She patiently waits for breaks and buzzers between drills and scrimmages. In those moments, she walks onto the court, dribbles a bit, knocks down some shots and returns to coloring. These routine snippets of basketball practice introduced Lily Fandre to the game.
The Brown and White Weekly: 4/20/26
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Forest Park to open first trail on South Mountain
Joe Klocek, ‘98, a Pennsylvania native, started mountain biking in 1997 as a junior at Lehigh. He’d ridden a bike before, but this was his first time riding down wooded hills above Sayre Park Village. He said he’s been an avid biker ever since. Now Lehigh’s director of planning, design and construction, Klocek is helping develop those same trails into Forest Park, which is a network that will connect the Asa Packer, Goodman and Mountaintop campuses.
A call to action: Students gather to protest at Pace the Prez
With cardboard signs in hand, Giselle Cordon-Rosales, ‘29, and Maya Schwartzreich, ‘29, arrived at Pace the Prez, President Joseph Helble’s weekly run with students, at 5:45 a.m. to begin a peaceful protest against racism. At the flagpole outside the Clayton University Center, the two first-years looked out on the dark, empty lawn unsure if anyone else would join them. By 6:30 a.m., more than 30 protesters — students and runners — had gathered at the flagpole.
Gracie Shoup lifts up her teammates, Lehigh women’s lacrosse’s offense
Gracie Shoup began playing lacrosse because she was thrown into it when she was young. And with a stick in her hands, she never looked back. The Lehigh junior attacker from Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, was recruited to Ohio State University after she helped lead her high school, William Penn Charter, to a state title in 2022. She played for the Buckeyes for one year but came to Lehigh to start her sophomore season feeling it was a better fit. She was right.
Helble hosts community conversation, addresses Greek life pause and campus concerns
On Monday morning, President Joseph Helble, ‘82, hosted a “community conversation” at the Health, Science and Technology building. The conversation was open to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, and was meant to allow open discussion about the Lehigh community. To open the session, Helble provided updates on recent admissions statistics and changes related to demographic cliffs and research funding.
The Brown and White
In its Patriot League opener Saturday afternoon at Frank Banko Field, the Lehigh men’s lacrosse team fell to Bucknell in a heartbreaker, 12-11, in Bethlehem. Lehigh was led on offense by first-year Finn Morgan, who scored four goals, while teammate junior Luke Winkler added three. Junior goalie Kasey Heath recorded 15 saves. Junior Luke Brunner and senior Michael Meyer led Bucknell with three goals each. Bucknell came out strong in the first half, bringing a 6-3 lead into the locker room.
Thinking pacifically
In a society geared toward constant motion and evolution, focus often gets lost in the narrative. I’ve learned to shape my personal narrative the way I shape clay: through something both reinventive and formative. Like pottery, success requires focus. To succeed in art, an artist must have a vision for their work. I’m a multifaceted person, but I used to forget to slow down when creating. That changed when I tapped into my internal metronome: my breath.
Immigration attorneys speak on international student visas
In August 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration introduced a new rule limiting how long students, professors, physicians and other visa holders can remain in the United States. On April 10, an email to Lehigh’s community said “a few” Lehigh-sponsored student visas had been revoked. Since then, Lehigh’s Office of International Students and Scholars has worked to support international students and scholars by hosting information sessions to help them navigate immigration law.
The “Ebony Canal” highlights Black, Brown maternal health crisis
Emmai Alaquiva — who refers to himself as a “cinematic poet” — said he created “The Ebony Canal” as a love letter to Black and Brown women and their children in an effort to save as many lives as possible. “The Ebony Canal,” a Pennsylvania-made, award-winning documentary narrated by Viola Davis about maternal health among Black and Brown women, was screened in Baker Hall on Thursday night.
Photo Gallery: “The Ebony Canal” highlights maternal health
Emmai Alaquiva speaks to an audience in Baker Hall on Feb. 12, 2026. Alaquiva refers to himself as a “cinematic poet.” (Max Randall/B&W Staff) Alana-Yzola Daly and Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew are pictured watching Alaquiva speak. Yzola-Daly and Larkins-Pettigrew are both contributors to “The Ebony Canal.” (Max Randall/B&W Staff) Panelists after a screening of “The Ebony Canal” in Baker Hall on Feb. 12, 2026.
David Chalmers delivers 40th Selfridge Lecture
David Chalmers, professor of philosophy and neural science at New York University, delivered the 40th Selfridge Lecture at the Health, Science and Technology building on Tuesday. Titled “What We Talk to When We Talk to Language Models,” the lecture was hosted by Lehigh’s philosophy department and focused on the philosophy of artificial intelligence. The annual Selfridge Lectures were established by Lehigh’s philosophy department to promote discourse around philosophy.
The Brown and White
Students bundled up Sunday as the Lehigh Valley experienced intense snow as part of a larger regional storm. See how students spent their day in the wintery weather. A Bethlehem community member snowplows the sidewalk outside Lehigh’s Health, Science and Technology Building. Following a winter storm, all classes will operate on a remote schedule on Monday. (Luke Kaiser/B&W Staff) A snow-covered staircase is pictured between Richards and Lower Cents.
Moravian University unveils new student center
Moravian University’s recently renovated Haupert Union Building is now open to the public at 1119 Monocacy St. on the school’s north campus. The student union reopened last month after five years of planning. The building is designed as a multipurpose facility with a focus on student health and wellness. Amber Donato, Moravian’s associate director of project management, said the renovation was necessary because the university outgrew the former two-story structure.
Meet the candidates for Bethlehem City Council - The Brown and White
The Bethlehem City Council election will take place today, with four Democrats and one Republican running to fill four available seats. Two seats opened after incumbent Councilwoman Kiera Wilhelm chose not to seek reelection, and Grace Crampsie Smith lost to incumbent mayor J. William Reynolds in the mayoral election. Incumbents Rachel Leon and Hillary Kwiatek are both seeking another term, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
Edit Desk: Finding a mountain
As a San Francisco local, I used to think it was ridiculous for people to drive up the mountain. It felt unnecessary and ordinary to watch the sunset or the fog roll in the late afternoon. However, I forgot to consider the connection people have to a place, and how, when you stand on top of a mountain, you feel more powerful than ever. You feel grounded as you watch what’s happening beneath you. I came home in June from being at school in Vermont.
Edit Desk: Rediscovering mountains and the power of place
As a San Francisco local, I used to think it was ridiculous for people to drive up the mountain. It felt unnecessary and ordinary to watch the sunset or the fog roll in the late afternoon. However, I forgot to consider the connection people have to a place, and how, when you stand on top of a mountain, you feel more powerful than ever. You feel grounded as you watch what’s happening beneath you. I came home in June from being at school in Vermont.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: 'Ask and It Shall Be Given' (1954)
March 13, 1954; p. 5 By Max Ward Randall Kimberly, C. P., South Africa When we pray we do not always get precisely what we ask for. What are some of the reasons? Too often, our prayers degenerate into a one-sided “Listen, Lord, Thy servant speaketh” instead of “Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth.” This was the fault of the Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are” (Luke 18:11).
The Movement Factory and Shy One want you on your feet
Set in the heart of Peckham is The Movement Factory: an award-winning dance troupe on a mission to get the community up on their feet in a safe and inclusive environment. Having first formulated her footwork crew in 2001 at the age of 15-years-old, director Leanne Pero (now aged 34) was on a mission to make a positive impact within her community.
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