N O T E S Nobody let a contagious virus and other issues prevent them from completing their degrees and forming lifelong relationships and friendships. This class has remained Lehigh strong, despite a global virus taking so many opportunities away from people. These challenges should not overshadow any accomplishments and achievements from anyone since coming to Lehigh in 2018. Earning a degree from Lehigh is no easy task, and it takes a lot of determination. This school makes everyone brighter and more prepared for the next phase of life. Students at Lehigh are some of the brightest students in the country, and graduates are some of the hardest workers you will fnd. The Lehigh journey doesn’t end here. Once graduation is over, the Class of 2022 will ofcially be part of the alumni network and connected with every other graduate that completed a diploma here. The Lehigh experience will always be part of us. For me personally, it has been a pleasure to attend this university and keep the current alumni updated on what’s been going on here. I have learned so much over the last four years, and my friendships and relationships I have formed with people will last for the rest of my life. I’ve faced many personal challenges throughout my time here, and my time was far from perfect. Yet, I am grateful that I’ve had the chance to attend a prestigious university and learn frommotivating professors and students along the way. After graduation, I plan to take a gap year and travel around the world before fnding employment. Thank you, Lehigh and the Alumni Bulletin, for the endless opportunities you have given me and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Editor’s note: No, thank you, Andrew, for taking on the role of undergraduate correspondent. We appreciate all you’ve shared about the student experience over your four years. Good luck as you join our alumni ranks! To share your news or if you would be interested in becoming your class’s correspondent, reaching out to classmates and writing a column three times a year, please contact the Alumni Ofce at 610-758-3069 or classnotes@ lehigh.edu. ’23Connor Melko, clm323@lehigh. edu Hello, my name is Connor Melko, and I amexcited to be the correspondent for the Class of 2023. I have always enjoyed reading this Bulletin and keeping track of what alumni are up to, so this is a great opportunity to sharemy class’s news. Here at Lehigh, I am studying bioengineering while also competing on the track and feld/ cross country teams. I amalso involved in theWall Street Survivors Investment Club and enjoy going to Lehigh lacrosse games. If any of my classmates have interesting news or accomplishments, please reach out tome at clm323@lehigh.edu. ’24Samantha Gropper, shg224@lehigh. edu Hello, everyone! After a cold and snowy start to the semester, I knowmyself and other students are looking forward to the warm weather and spring sunshine on campus. The frst half of the semester feels like it has fown by already. As the sophomore class is gearing up for this upcoming summer, some students have taken the time to refect on the frst half of their spring semester so far. Emily Newman, a sophomore majoring inpopulationhealth withminors in environmental science andmolecular biology, shared about her extracurricular involvement on campus. She is a part of the LehighEMS as a frst/ training lieutenant, president of the LehighBellyDancingClub and a part of the Southside Permaculture ParkFellowship. Having received her EMT training inhigh school, Newmanwanted tomake use of her certifcation and learnmore about emergency medicine. She truly enjoys helping out where she can; in addition to being anEMT, she also is involved in a fellowship project on campus rebuilding the Southside Permaculture Park across the street fromtheAlumniMemorial Building. They are growing herbs and foods such as corn, beans and squash. They are also designing gardens to replicate permaculture farming and teaching theBethlehemcommunity how to grow their own food sustainably. Since Bethlehemis in a food desert, Newman and her fellowship are making a real impact on theBethlehemcommunity. Lastly, she says she joined theBellyDancing Club to fnd a creative outlet on campus. Having always enjoyed dancing, the club allows her to practice andmaster newskills. As the current president of the club, she is also responsible formaking choreography, booking studios and performances, costumes, club events and other logistics. Newmanbelieves there is more leniency and productivity with activities on campus. She says her extracurriculars are more enjoyable than last year because of the socialization and community she has built. Not only are her club meetings more productive, she also feels as though her conversations with peers are more substantial in person than when they were online. Even more so, she can fnally see her classmates’ full faces after the lift of the required mask policy on campus. Since last year, Newmanhas gainedmore leadership experience on campus. She says she has a better sense of what she is doing and what she would like to be doing on campus. Her confdence as a leader has only grown at Lehigh, where she has been able to explore more research opportunities, an independent study and time to engage in more fun activities. In addition, she gets to meet and work with new people all around campus. Newman has truly taken advantage of her Lehigh experience and believes the school ofers her all of the resources she needs to fulfll her goals. ’25Editor’s note: To share your news or if you would be interested in becoming your class’s correspondent, reaching out to classmates and writing a column three times a year, please contact the Alumni Ofce at 610-758-3069 or classnotes@ lehigh.edu. S UMM E R 2 0 2 2 | 6 3
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