Uqdah Changing Lehigh One Vault at a Time

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http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/c-t ... 10aac.html


Changing Lehigh One Vault at a Time
From Lehigh Athletic Communications


Lehigh's Khalil Uqdah


May 10, 2010

From Lehigh Athletic Communications

Coming to Lehigh as a freshman, Khalil Uqdah didn't know what to expect from the university; the one thing he did know was that he was destined to make a difference. Now a graduating senior, Uqdah has clearly left his mark on Lehigh whether its the track and field record book or the overall landscape of the campus.

"The thing about Khalil is, he didn't come here exclusively for athletics or the academics," head track and field coach Matt Utesch said. "One of Khalil's main goals was to make an impact from a diversity standpoint when he got here."

Uqdah chose to attend Lehigh over rival school Lafayette and he immediately built a bond with Utesch.

"I landed at Lehigh because of the beauty of the campus and the need for change that I saw," Uqdah said. "Coach Utesch pulled me aside and told me that there weren't a lot of minorities here, but he broke it down that with each new face the campus will become more diverse. His openness from the very beginning helped to establish the relationship that we have today."

Uqdah took Utesch's advice and ran with it, as he developed into a leader for spreading diversity across the Lehigh community. During his four years on campus, Uqdah has been involved with establishing the Vice President of Equity and Community (VPEC) position, the recruiting of an assistant director of multicultural affairs, the Black Student Union, the Muslim Student Association, the Brown and White, the Student Athlete Council and the leadership legacy program.

His biggest work has come with establishing the position of Vice President of Equity and Community at Lehigh. The position, which focuses on promoting diversity on campus in a variety of different facets, was spearheaded by Uqdah and some of his classmates. Uqdah gathered support from alumni, faculty, and fellow students and took his case to University President Alice P. Gast and the Council for Equity and Community. Once the group of students made their case to Gast, it was approved and will be put into place in the near future.

"I have had the opportunity to get to know Khalil and value the perspective he brings to many important issues facing our campus community," Gast said. "Khalil is a leader in so many different ways. His success in the classroom, on the track, and as an engaged member of our community has great impact on making Lehigh the very best it can be. I know that he will continue that success in everything he does."
Another big impact Uqdah has had is in the Office of Multicultural Affairs here at Lehigh, where he is one of the student representatives helping to interview candidates for the new Assistant Director position.

"Khalil has been instrumental in changing the culture of Lehigh," Jame'l Hodges, the Director of Multicultural Affairs said. "He is all about the importance of building and giving back. The things he's accomplished during his time at Lehigh are really impressive."

Uqdah has taken on all of this, while developing into one of the top pole vaulters not only in the Patriot League, but in the entire region. As a sophomore, Uqdah became Lehigh's first IC4A Champion and he holds the Lehigh indoor and outdoor pole vault records, as well as the league indoor record.

As a former gymnast, pole vaulting has become second nature for Uqdah. "I was a gymnast when I was younger and pole vaulting would be the seventh event in gymnastics. I could do a round-off at the top of my jump and from that day on my coach told me I was a pole vaulter. Ever since my freshman year of high school I have been competing in pole vaulting year round."

The Baltimore, Maryland native will compete at the IC4A Championship for a final time on May 15-16 and this year he has even bigger goals. "I'm happy with what I've accomplished throughout my career, but I always want more. I want to place in the top-6 at IC4As and then go onto nationals and do well. I've always wanted to jump 18' and I still have a few more chances to do it."

After taking away everything Uqdah has done on the track it still comes back to one thing: Change. Uqdah is looking to leave a lasting legacy on Lehigh and ultimately move onto helping people for a career.

"I don't want people to look back and say Khalil is that guy that had dread locks," he commented. "I want them to remember me as a well-rounded person and someone I should keep in touch with because he's going somewhere."

Uqdah, who was given the Distinguished Achievement Award at the 2009-10 Lehigh Athletics Convocation, is looking to start a career in human resources or at a non-profit after graduation. Wherever Uqdah ends up one thing that will remain clear is his dedication for helping others. "My goal is to find a job where I can be passionate about diversity and making a difference."