FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 29 where Ryan earned a small reward when he took a bite—maybe a page in an e-book or a YouTube video. Then the reward would be paused until Ryan took another bite. Now 10, Ryan is thriving. “It was a painstaking process, but it worked, and we wanted to share this philosophy with others, so we developed an app (called YumEats) that parents and caregivers can use to help their children learn to eat better,” Kimball said. Data, such as amount consumed and time elapsed, is tracked throughout. Kimball and Markovcy are in trials with autism therapy companies, because a large percentage of kids with autism also struggle with eating challenges, according to Kimball. “Applied behavioral analysis encompasses the gold standard therapy in the autism space, and we’re helping incentivize kids to break or form habits. I’m confident this program can be adopted on a widespread basis,” he added. Kimball’s second venture stems from his family’s love of pickleball. Deal and Dink adds a deck of cards that introduces challenges such as holding hands or sharing a paddle with your partner to an already popular game. It’s already making money through sales on the company’s website, Amazon and TikTok, surpassing $200,000 in total revenue since launching in May 2025. —Brenda Lange When Ken Voorhees ’87 P’28 arrived on Lehigh’s campus, he wasn’t sure where life would take him. He soon found a family in the university’s storied wrestling program, a community that would change his life forever. Voorhees wrestled for Lehigh under coach Thad Turner ’61 P’83. From 1970 to 1988, Turner led the team to a 171-104-5 record and national prominence. Though a knee injury at the end of Voorhees’ freshman year cut short his time on the mat, it did not diminish his sense of belonging because of the support he received from Turner and his teammates. “Coach Turner treated me like I was a national champion even though I wasn’t,” Voorhees said. “He got me tutors, he let me live in his house on Hillside Avenue and he believed in me. I’ll never forget that. Thad Turner made a real difference in my life.” After graduation, Voorhees joined his family’s New Jersey-based company, a global leader in flavors, fragrances and essential oils. After the business was sold, Voorhees didn’t slow down. His entrepreneurial spirit led to interests and research in wellness products. Looking back, Voorhees credits wrestling with teaching him discipline, accountability and focus—qualities that shaped both his business career and personal life. “Wrestling keeps you grounded,” he said. “Being part of a team—any team—teaches you responsibility. You can’t just sleep in; you’ve got to show up, work hard, watch your diet, be consistent. Those habits stay with you forever.” Voorhees takes pride in seeing Lehigh wrestling regain its momentum— and he’s helping to keep it that way. Voorhees has endowed the Thad Turner Wrestling Scholarship and the Summer Tuition Fund, which enables wrestlers to stay on campus year-round. Voorhees is proud to honor his coach, mentor and friend, ensuring future wrestlers can have the same life-changing experiences he did. “I’m glad to be a small part of that,” he said.—Patty DeViva PHILANTHROPY | ALUMNI ’87 ’28 A Memorial Gift for Wrestling ‘Family’ Ken Voorhees ’87 P’28 is giving back through scholarships for the next generation of wrestlers. “COACH [THAD] TURNER TREATED ME LIKE I WAS A NATIONAL CHAMPION EVEN THOUGH I WASN’T. … [HE] MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE.” —Ken Voorhees ’87 P’28 Canaan Kimball ’26 poses with his creation Deal and Dink, a pickleball card game. Thad Turner ’61 P’83 Ken Voorhees ’87 P’28
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