26 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST The Lehigh journeys of friends Julie Wright ’25 M’26 and Rhema Hooper ’26 have intertwined over the course of four years, connected by vibrant community networks, international travel, conferences on the world stage and hands-on research. In the fall, Wright and Hooper were recognized for their impactful research as two of nine students who received Distinguished Future Maker Awards at the inaugural Future Makers Convocation. Aligning with the University’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategy, the Convocation recognized 96 students in senior standing for exceptional impact in research and innovation. Future in the Making Wright and Hooper’s friendship started before they were undergraduate students at Lehigh Fest, an annual event for admitted students to explore Lehigh. “We met at the [Lehigh Fest] Merit Scholarship dinner and chatted about becoming community and global health majors,” Hooper said. “Julie texted me after and asked, ‘You committed to Lehigh, right?’” Since then, the two have supported each other on their academic journeys and research endeavors. For Wright and Hooper, navigating their paths together has been the biggest highlight. “My favorite thing about Julie is her confidence,” Hooper said to Wright as they reflected on their friendship. “And I’m so proud of Rhema for putting her whole self into everything she does,” Wright responded. Hooper received the Future Makers Convocation Global Changemakers Award for advancing global well-being through innovation, empathy and cross-cultural collaboration that transcends borders. She was honored with the award for her service as a United Nations Youth Representative and independent research investigating harmful cobalt mining practices contributing to infant mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “My brother called me one day and said, ‘There’s this podcast episode that you need to listen to,’” Hooper said. “That’s how I learned of the violations of child labor and exploitation. I thought about Gen Z; we eat, sleep and breathe technology yet are unaware of who’s at the bottom of the supply chain.” Hooper’s project spanned three years, connecting her to Gabrielle String, assistant professor of population health and civil and environmental engineering; Kate Jackson, assistant professor of community and global health; and Krista Liguori, teaching assistant professor of community and global health. “I KNEW LEHIGH WAS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAD THE FREEDOM TO CREATE ANYTHING THAT I WANTED FROM SCRATCH.” —Rhema Hooper ’26 RESEARCH From First-Year Friends to Future Makers Julie Wright ’25 M’26 and Rhema Hooper ’26 built a friendship and a record of global impact through research, advocacy and community. CHRISTA NEU Rhema Hooper ’26 Julie Wright ’25 M’26
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