A longstanding tradition for incoming freshman at Lehigh is the Freshmen Rally. Sure, you had just met your roommate, you barely knew where Rathbone was and you had no concept of the study load that would be on your shoulders in three days, but the Rally was your first necessary commitment at Lehigh and you somehow got there. The first thing that you saw was the spectacle of 60 or so class flags entering into the gathering space with the Lehigh Marching ’97 blaring out cheer songs. Doug Pitney (GY628) has carried the Class of 1980 for the past six Freshmen Rallies (save 2021 when the duty was turned over to a fellow classmate so that he could carry with his daughter carrying her graduating class flag). He will be doing so again this fall.
This year’s Freshman Rally is on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The Rally starts at 8:00 p.m. and Lehigh provides a fine buffet dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. for all alumni participants and guests. Amy Frantz Gross is Lehigh’s Director of Traditions and Class Affinity. She is looking for flag carriers for the following classes: 1981, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. Reach out directly to Amy at [email protected] to sign up and get all of the details. Make sure to forgive her for spending the last few years at The Rival’s alumni office and mention Doug’s name so that she knows where the lead came from. FYI- there are professional flag carriers. They attend every year, get to mingle and eat, and then carry a flag that is not their own class.
The Freshman Rally is the first Lehigh event of the new school year where Gamma Psi alumni can show support of their upcoming application for reinstatement as an active chapter. Doug met Amy Gross at a Freshman Send-away event in July and she is now the point person in the Alumni office for Gamma Psi and will become a very important person who will be able to vouch for our committed alumni participation. GY628 looks forward to seeing you at The Rally!