I began my Lehigh career working on Reunion, and in doing so had the privilege of getting to know the personalities of classes spanning seven decades. Every class has its own character, shaped not only by its time on campus but by the alumni who continue to nurture those connections long after graduation.
One of those people was Joe Workman ’53. Joe believed deeply that a class is not simply a year on a diploma, but a lifelong community. For decades he served as the driving force behind his class’s Reunion efforts, planning every gathering for the Class of 1953 all the way through their 70th Reunion in 2023, which I had the privilege of helping organize alongside him.
Joe taught me that consistent outreach, genuine care and a simple personal invitation could bring classmates together across time zones and life stages. Watching him connect with his peers showed me how one dedicated volunteer can strengthen bonds across an entire class.
That same spirit is visible today. Each year, class volunteers form committees, plan Reunion celebrations and encourage classmates to participate in Giving Day + March Mania. This spring, more than 15 classes are leading peer-to-peer outreach, inviting classmates to support the causes that matter most to them.
Volunteers like D’Arcy Roper ’67 exemplify that tradition of leadership. D’Arcy comes from a proud Lehigh legacy family that now spans six generations. An early champion of the Giving Day class challenge, he brought together a group of classmates to fund a challenge that released additional dollars as more members of the Class of 1967 stepped forward to give. His enthusiasm and persistence have paid off: the Class of 1967 has captured the Giving Day class challenge in the highest participation category five times. His leadership has sustained a strong culture of engagement within his class, demonstrating how peer encouragement and shared pride can inspire meaningful support for the university.
Younger alumni are now carrying this tradition forward. As careers begin and classmates scatter across cities, many are discovering that volunteering helps recreate the sense of connection they experienced on campus.
Kerry Mallett ’15 is a great example. In the lead-up to Reunion, she activated her class’s Instagram account to help build excitement and give classmates a place to reconnect and share memories. Through efforts like hers, new traditions are beginning to take shape.
Across generations, the lesson is the same: Lehigh endures because alumni choose to care for one another. Class leaders don’t simply plan Reunion—they create belonging, encourage philanthropy and help ensure that future students experience the same remarkable place they did.
As we look ahead to Reunion, I’m grateful for the volunteers who make the Lehigh experience last far beyond four years. From those who plan class events and lead outreach efforts to the amazing class correspondents who gather updates and craft the columns you read in the Class Notes section of this very publication, their contributions shape the strength of our community. If you’ve ever answered a classmate’s call, attended an event or supported a shared cause, you’ve already felt their impact. And if you’ve ever considered getting involved, there is always room at the table.
Yours in Brown and White,
Stephanie Fisher
Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations
