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Bill and Alice Kuhl have been among the most steadfast and generous donors to Lehigh University’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) for nearly three decades. During a visit to campus last week, they were reminded why they’ve supported Lehigh year after year: the students themselves.

“In the end, it all comes back to students having a good experience here. Feeling supported, connected, and valued,” said Bill Kuhl ‘66, a Lehigh alum who worked for Procter & Gamble for nearly 35 years. “That’s what we care about, and that’s what we support.”

Bill and Alice visited Lehigh on Oct. 16, touring campus and meeting with officials from OIA and the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS), as well as with students from the International Student Advisory Board.

During the visit, the Kuhls reaffirmed their strong beliefs in student-driven leadership, cross-cultural understanding, programmatic innovation, and creating high-quality global learning opportunities across campus and beyond.

A lasting impact on Lehigh’s international community

“Bill and Alice’s generosity has had a profound and lasting impact on Lehigh’s international community,” said Cheryl Matherly, Vice President and Vice Provost for International Affairs. 

“Their support has helped generations of students feel welcomed, connected, and inspired to engage globally,” Matherly said. “What makes their philanthropy so special is not only its generosity, but its constancy. Their belief that sustained commitment builds the foundation for everything we do.”

Alice believes that constancy is the key. The Kuhls made their first gift in 1998 and have donated consistently ever since. Her father was a college professor, and her philanthropy stems in part from her family’s educational background and a strong belief that steady, predictable contributions are crucial for planning and sustainability.

“It’s just one of those commitments you want to make sure you keep, year after year,” Alice said. “Because it makes a big difference.”

Building foundations for international growth

Bill, who also earned an MBA from Xavier University, served in senior research and product leadership roles during his career at Procter & Gamble. The Kuhls also spent nearly seven years living in Japan, an experience that shaped their belief in international collaboration and student exchange.

That perspective continues to guide their philanthropic vision today. The Kuhls have long advocated for Lehigh students to gain cross-cultural and interdisciplinary experiences that prepare them for a globalized workforce.

“You can’t reap crops you never planted,” Bill said. “We need to really focus not just on graduate students, but undergraduates as well. We want to recruit them to Bethlehem, nurture them so they have a good experience here, and then involve them as alumni so that they stay in contact with Lehigh their whole lives.”

The Kuhls’ convictions reflect several of OIA’s strategic initiatives, including ensuring  all students have access to international education experiences, and preparing Lehigh community members to be global leaders, citizens, and learners.

Advancing Lehigh’s global vision

Bill was an inaugural member of Lehigh’s Global Council, established by university President Alice Gast in the late 1990s to advise on Lehigh’s international growth strategy.

The Council’s work helped lay the groundwork for today’s OIA and inspired several international initiatives, including the Global Union and expansions to English-language learning programs that ultimately evolved into the International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE).

During his time in Japan, Bill also became the first international representative on the Lehigh Alumni Association Board, advocating for expanding Lehigh’s reach beyond Pennsylvania and fostering both domestic and global alumni engagement.

Connecting with today’s students

During their Lehigh visit, the Kuhls engaged with university officials and students on a wide range of topics, including campus programming and the work of the International Student Advisory Board. Alice particularly noted the importance of sustained support networks for international students facing challenges such as housing, finances, and loneliness.

“We heard again and again from students how much they value the simple things, like being able to stay connected and having a place where they feel supported during the holidays,” Alice said. “That sense of community makes all the difference.”

Bill and Alice, who live in Florida and have two children, praised the international education leadership of Matherly and Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82. Bill emphasized the importance of integrating international perspectives directly into the classroom and encouraging collaboration between faculty and students on global topics.

“Lehigh is big enough to have critical mass on a lot of things, but not so big that it gets burdened by its sheer size,” Bill said. “They’re putting together the kind of international programs that make Lehigh distinctive. They’re experimental, they’re willing to try things, and it makes a huge impact.”