EDITOR’S LETTER | SPRING 2025 | 3 Recently, I was flipping through the pages of Lehigh Alumni Bulletins from decades past, taking in the stories, rich traditions and achievements of a university that I have admired since I was a young girl growing up in Pennsylvania near the Lehigh Valley. I started my career writing and editing for universities before landing at national magazines, and it feels surreal and so special to find myself back in an academic setting, where my passion for storytelling took flight. I take great pride and care in continuing to bring important, compelling and inspiring stories to you as the new editor of the Bulletin. Since arriving at the university a few months ago, I’ve witnessed many exciting accomplishments, including Lehigh becoming an R1 research university (page 17), the announcement of two new University Research Centers (page 18), the Mountain Hawks football team winning the Rivalry game and earning their 13th Patriot League title (page 40) and much more. I’ve enjoyed exploring corners of campus I haven’t seen before, like the beautiful, newly renovated Clayton University Center at Packer Hall (page 34), and attending campus events, such as the Compelling Perspectives speaker series (page 14). I’ve also had the pleasure of chatting with alumni and meeting faculty and staff who have welcomed me into the Lehigh family. I am continuously in awe of Lehigh—from the dedicated faculty and staff to the hardworking students carving their own paths to the inspiring alumni engaging future generations. It has been a privilege getting to know you so far, and I am honored and eager to continue building meaningful connections with the Lehigh community through this storied publication. Thank you for this incredible opportunity, and thank you for reading. EDITOR’S LETTER A Special New Start Lauren Thein Editor Students share a moment in a Centennial Complex dorm, circa fall 1971. CORRESPONDENCE SHARING A MOMENT I was pleasantly surprised to see a photo that had been taken in my Carothers House dorm room in the fall of 1971 in the Squawk section of the summer 2024 Alumni Bulletin. The photo was taken the first year that Lehigh went coed (1971) amid fierce opposition by alumni at the time. We had been warned that “coeducation is an experiment.” The “students sharing a moment” shown in the picture (left to right) are Patti Oertle Van Buskirk ’75, me, Janet Scagnelli ’75, Kerry Brown ’75 and Toni Connell ’75. We were among Lehigh’s first graduating class of women and will be celebrating our 50th Reunion in June 2025. Thanks for the nostalgic reflection, Janet L. Scagnelli ’75 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Email your comments about this issue to the editor at lat624@lehigh.edu. Send handwritten letters to Lehigh Alumni Bulletin, 301 Broadway, 4th Floor, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Lauren Thein, editor of the Lehigh Alumni Bulletin, flips through a previous issue of the Bulletin in a quiet corner of the newly renovated Clayton University Center at Packer Hall. BETH MURPHY
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