In March 1826, the citizens of Easton received a charter signed by the governor of Pennsylvania, establishing Lafayette College. It is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts, and engineering institution with an endowment ranked in the top 2% nationally of independent colleges. The College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in 34 fields and a Bachelor of Science degree in 15 fields, including five in engineering. Professors challenge their students to move beyond the familiar, comfortable, and easy. They dare them to live boldly as thinkers, doers, and leaders. Lafayette believes everyone in the community shares responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.