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Rally 2018

Colors that Connect: Rally’s Class Adoption Tradition

By Lehigh Marketing & Communications July 28, 2026

The Rally is an annual celebration of spirit and lively performances that not only welcomes a new class of students, but also builds a solid bridge between the incoming class and Lehigh’s strong alumni network. Every year, first-year students are adopted by the alumni who began their own Lehigh experience 50 years prior.

In a black and white photo, a man with dark hair and beard holds a “Class of 1979” flag alongside an older gentleman wearing a suit jacket and glasses.
The Class of ’29 adopts the Class of ’79 at Rally 1975.

Their connection comes full circle at Commencement, when the adopting class celebrates its 50th Reunion the same year that the newest class of alumni turn their tassels and cross the stage.

Join us as we remember Rally’s adoption tradition through the years.

Story updated updated on July 28, 2026; Originally published on August 19, 2025.

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In a black and white photo, a male student standing on a stage holds a large flag that reads “LU ’59” while an older gentleman wearing a large ’09 button holds the flag out to be read.

In This Image: The Class of ’09 adopts the Class of ’59 at Rally 1955.

Men wearing suit jackets and ties in a black and white photo parade through an auditorium waving large flags with their class year, one reading 1924.

In This Image: Rally 1960 inside Grace Hall.

In a black and white photo, a man wearing a white shirt and jeans holds a flag high above his head that says “1982.”

In This Image: Rally 1978

A black and white photo of a man in a light colored suit standing with two students on stage, all holding a large flag together that reads “’84.”

In This Image: The Class of ’34 adopts the Class of ’84 at Rally 1980.

Men line up in a black and white photo, all holding their class flags while parading through an auditorium.

In This Image: Rally 1983

Black and white photo of man wearing a dress shirt, tie and dress pants holding a 1994 flag with two students.

In This Image: The Class of ’44 adopts the Class of ’94 at Rally 1990.

Black and white photo of a man in a light colored suit standing outside and handing a flag that reads “Lehigh 1995” to a young woman in a floral dress.

In This Image: The Class of ’45 adopts the Class of ’95 at Rally 1991.

A man wearing a brown Lehigh jersey stands at a podium and yells enthusiastically into the microphone while a male and female student look on holding a red and black class flag.

In This Image: The Class of ’71 adopts the Class of ’21 at Rally 2017.

On a dark stage with a large screen behind him, a student waves a green and red flag above his head that reads “Lehigh 2023.”

In This Image: The Class of ’73 adopts the Class of ’23 at Rally 2019.

A student wearing a baseball cap with white polo shirt and khaki shorts carries a black and gold flag while standing on stage with 3 other men.

In This Image: At Rally 2021, the first ever coed Class of 1975 adopted the incoming Class of 2025. In addition, the Class of 2024, which had a virtual adoption the year before, formally received its class flag.

Three men hold a banner that reads “Nothing is finer than an ’79er” as they walk down a path lined with students in front of the University Center.

In This Image: The Class of 1979 enters Rally to adopt the Class of 2029.