Lafayette Leopards at Leisure

In my lifetime, Lafayette College, despite occupying an important spot in Easton, Pennsylvania, had never fallen into the scope of my experience - that is, until November 2014. Before that pivotal time, my only exposure to Lafayette consisted of hearing about its famed, contentious sports rivalry with Lehigh University. In 2014, at age 31, I re-connected via Facebook with my friend Marybeth Large, with whom I graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2002. I visited her at Cosmic Cup, a coffee shop near Lafayette where she worked as a barista, putting me into contact with Lafayette students.

I was impressed with the kids right off the bat. Liking public buildings, I also became very curious about the physical campus and its library, where I have since spent many an afternoon reading old magazines in the basement. American history is a consuming interest of mine and I enjoy the old Time magazines at Skillman Library. As such, Lafayette College remains on the periphery of my life experience, but still influences me in positive ways.

Lafayette College has a beautiful campus, situated on scenic, quaint College Hill, in Easton. Lafayette's buildings are aesthetically pleasing, as are the gorgeous green landscaping, old statues and walking trails; the campus is very old, dating to 1826. I also love the appearance of Lafayette's fraternity/sorority buildings, with many of the Greek houses looking like the infamous frat house from Animal House, enhancing the mystique of Lafayette's realm of existence. I use the campus's steps to move from College Hill to Downtown Easton, dubbing them the Steps into Mordor due to how steep they are!

The College Hill neighborhood is tied in with Lafayette College and definitely feeds on the school's presence. Many Lafayette professors and other professionals live in the large, historic houses of College Hill. Around the periphery of Lafayette, College Hill has a vibrant social community made up of artists, bohemians and fun, social individuals who work in the service industry. I have a number of fun, close friends who live in College Hill and enjoy the stimulating atmosphere fostered by the college. 

Lafayette students originally hail from numerous states and foreign countries. The student body impresses me with its intelligence, politeness and enthusiasm. They are young people who are very happy to be starting their lives and pursuing rewarding careers. Many students take a keen interest in the College Hill community, showing attention to the dog of an older couple at the coffee shop, or making a fuss over my friend's newborn son. I greatly appreciate the students who have been friendly and courteous to me and my "townie" friends at the Cosmic Cup.

Economically and otherwise, Lafayette College is becoming a larger part of Easton. Recently, Lafayette has been making a push toward Downtown Easton to integrate the college with the city. Lafayette students patronize local establishments in Downtown Easton, especially along Northampton Street. They visit bars and restaurants that are clustered throughout the city. These kids also attend Easton's street festivals, such as Bacon Fest. Who doesn't love bacon?! Students and professors find reasons to visit Center City Easton, representing the college.

In all honesty, I do feel at least a little torn by the Lafayette-Lehigh sports rivalry. I frequent the Cosmic Cup, a coffee shop very close to Lafayette's campus, but I also used to live near Lehigh University, so I do feel a little bit connected to both schools. Lafayette, however, is more integrated with College Hill of Easton than Lehigh University is with South Bethlehem. Lafayette College has a different vibe to it, students more social and broadminded.

 

In my opinion, Lafayette College stacks up well against nearby schools, having its own unique character. Lafayette College is somewhat larger than Moravian College of Bethlehem, but has much the same feel to it. It is a small private, liberal arts college that attracts a middle-to-upper class student body mostly from the Northeast. Its small size has created a campus culture in which one student knows nearly every other student. Since, Lafayette is not a university, like Lehigh, it does not have graduate students and its undergraduates are between the ages of 17 and 23.

I have the great hope that the majority of Lafayette's students will become ethical, productive citizens. I know that many of its seniors get accepted into graduate schools and that the college has produced a number of wealthy alumni. The combination of social awareness, hard work, intelligence, and academic rigor is one that cannot fail in its goals for an educated, well-rounded, ethical society.