When some Lehigh students say campus feels like home, they’re talking about more than the welcoming atmosphere. They are the ones who have a sibling — or two or three — at the university. In honor of Siblings Day on April 10, we share the stories of alumni who made Lehigh a family affair.
March Madness
Kara Riehman ’90 was the oldest of five girls when she chose to attend Lehigh. Her youngest sister, Kristen (Riehman) Sullivan ’97, was only in sixth grade — and that meant she often accompanied their parents when they visited Kara at school. When it came time for Kristen to choose a college, she balked at the idea of following in her big sister’s footsteps, but after a formal campus tour, Lehigh felt like home.
Kristen graduated with a degree in molecular biology. Kara majored in social relations.
The sisters’ favorite shared Lehigh memory happened years after both graduated. Their family members are self-described college basketball fanatics with a shared dislike of Duke basketball. When Lehigh was slated to play Duke in 2012 in the first round of March Madness, they rallied all of their friends in Atlanta, where they lived, to gather and watch the game.
“Lehigh isn’t exactly a household name in Georgia, and we were the only people at the sports bar decked out in brown and white,” recalls Kara. “But by the time the clock ran out, we had the whole bar cheering for Lehigh!”
A Family Affair
Jennifer Strobel Baldwin ’98 landed at Lehigh in fall 1994, never dreaming that she was paving the way not just for her sister, Christine Strobel Napoli ’01, but her whole family. The first thing the sisters shared about their Lehigh experience was the surprise announcement in Jennifer’s freshman year that their father, Greg Strobel '98P '01P, would be joining the university as its head wrestling coach in 1995.
“At the end of my sophomore year of high school in the Delco suburbs of Philadelphia, I answered our home phone, and it was The Morning Call. They wanted to speak to the new wrestling coach at Lehigh University,” Christine says.
Meanwhile, Jennifer learned about her father’s appointment at a news conference on campus. “I had no idea,” Jennifer recalls, adding, “From that point on, our experiences were definitely a family affair.”
After her father began coaching, there was no question that Christine would join him on campus. “I always had my sights set on eventually attending Lehigh,” she says. She majored in psychology. Jennifer first entered Lehigh as an engineering major, later switching to business management with a concentration in marketing and minor in communications.
“Having the opportunity to receive a great education at Lehigh while getting to experience it with my sister, Dad, and ‘Mrs. Coach’ (her mother, Donna), was amazing,” says Jennifer.
Although the sisters’ time on campus overlapped for just one year, both shared the experience of being LU wrestling managers for their father’s team. The sisters usually met in his office.
“The Strobel girls could be found at Taylor Gym with Dad, likely doing homework, asking him or each other for advice, or being offered guidance on how to navigate day-to-day life,” Jennifer says.
Their favorite shared memory was accompanying their father to an away wrestling match at Oregon State University — the place where he began his college wrestling career. “It was truly like coming full circle being able to represent Lehigh with our dad,” Christine says.
She adds, “Lehigh has always felt like home because our tenure extended so far beyond just when we were there earning a degree. We were both so fortunate to stay connected through wrestling.”
A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Greg Strobel served as Lehigh's head coach through 2008. He had a 189-83-1 dual record and won five straight EIWA Championships starting in 2002. He also coached two NCAA champions: Rob Rohn ’02 in 2002 and Troy Letters ’06 in 2004. He served as assistant athletic director at Lehigh until his retirement in 2019.
The passing of their parents gave the sisters one more bittersweet Lehigh memory they share: The services for both were held in Packer Chapel.
“Lehigh will always be a special place to us,” they say.
A “Taylor” Made Experience
Maureen (Whitley) Rinkunas ’02 ’04G ’14G was enjoying her time at Lehigh so much that choosing to follow her there was an easy choice for her brother, Andrew Whitley ’04.
“I don’t think it hurt that I took him to see a Lehigh ice hockey game when he came to visit campus,” says Maureen, who knew her little brother was a big hockey fan.
Andy had a chance to establish his own identity on campus during his first year because Maureen, who majored in chemical engineering, was studying abroad. His choice to live in Taylor College would give them another shared connection: His sister’s future husband, Mike Rinkunas ’02 ’08G, was a Gryphon there.
“We have lots of shared memories and friendships, including hanging out at the parties, Lehigh-Lafayette games, and going on Taylor College trips together,” Maureen says.
Brother and sister got to share graduation day in 2004, with Andy earning his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and Maureen earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering.
Their Lehigh connection continued at Maureen and Mike Rinkunas’ 2005 wedding. Andy was among nine Lehigh graduates in the wedding party — eight of whom had lived in Taylor College. Not to be outdone, when Andy got married, he had a separate table at the reception for all Lehigh alumni guests.
Two Bethlehem Guys
Lehigh already felt like home when George VanDoren ’69 ’70G and his brother, Dave ’72 ’74G, enrolled. That’s because their mother worked on campus starting in 1959 — first in admissions and later in social relations. George earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counselor education before earning a doctorate in counselor education at the University of Maine.
Since George was a senior when Dave was a freshman, they didn’t see much of each other on campus. However, when George continued at Lehigh for graduate school, the brothers teamed up on the Lehigh Rugby Club for two seasons.
They also developed a shared passion for Lehigh wrestling and have attended many meets together over the years, including Eastern and National championships. A favorite was the 2011 event in Philadelphia, where they witnessed Zach Rey ’12 win the NCAA heavyweight championship.
The following year in St. Louis yielded a different memory.
“We were just exiting from the arena after a round of wrestling,” George says. “Someone in the Lehigh crowd announced, ‘Lehigh just beat Duke!’ Of course, that was the famous upset in the NCAA basketball tournament. Needless to say, several adult beverages were consumed in celebration.”
Double The Fun
Connor Brosious ’18 and his twin sister, Kerry (Brosious) McNichol ’17, share many things about their Lehigh experience. Their family's Lehigh legacy includes two aunts, four uncles, and a cousin.
They saw each other frequently on campus since both were in Greek organizations and studied business — Connor majoring in accounting and finance and Kerry in marketing and supply chain management. “We would see each other all the time in Rauch or FML,” Connor recalls.
Their favorite shared memory happened on January 30, 2016, when a blizzard brought over 30 inches of snow to the Lehigh Valley.
“But somehow my sister and her sorority sisters managed to make it to our frat for a blizzard party,” Connor says. “In full disclosure, it was a short walk. It was a lot of fun. LUPD could not even make it up on the Hill!
Growing Up At Lehigh
When it came time to choose a college, Mark Patten ’90 ’27P couldn’t imagine going anywhere but Lehigh. After watching his three older brothers — Jeff ’85 ’90G, John ’84, and Dave ’81 — enjoy their time there, “It was the only place I truly wanted to attend. I grew up in and around Lehigh,” says Patten. “In fact, as soon as my oldest brother entered Lehigh, followed by all my other brothers, it was all I knew of a college experience.”
His parents, Ann and Lanny Patten '81P '84P '85P '90P, were the common thread. They chaired the Parents Committee for several years during their sons’ time at the university. “I remember so many family events together on campus,” Mark Patten says.
Coming to campus after his brother Jeff graduated meant he didn’t share day-to-day experiences with him. With so many Lehigh connections, shared memories have come later and include adding a Lehigh sister-in-law, Helen Schaeffer ’77, who married Jeff.
Now, with Patten’s son, Liam ’27, on campus, there are even more opportunities to create memories.
“A son on campus afforded me the chance to see the last Lehigh-Lafayette game with my brother John, tailgating on Goodman Campus with my brother John and our fellow Alpha Sigma Phi brothers and their families,” he says.
A Sibling Bond
Diana Hammerstone ’20 ’25G and her brother, Derek ’25, say they weren’t close while growing up because of a five-year age difference. Being at Lehigh together changed that.
“Getting to experience young adulthood in the same place has really brought us together,” Diana says.
Diana majored in materials science and engineering and competed for the Mountain Hawks in women’s cross country and track and field. After graduating, she remained to pursue her doctorate — a decision that has allowed the siblings to spend four years together on campus.
Derek, a bioengineering major, downplays the role his sister’s time at Lehigh played in his decision to enroll but concedes, “I’m sure it played a role subconsciously, whether I’m willing to admit that or not.” He shares her experience of being a Lehigh athlete, competing on the men’s rowing team.
The siblings run into each other on campus — most often in STEPS, where Diana works in her research lab.
“He will text me if he is passing through STEPS to see if I have a minute to come out of the lab and say ‘Hi,’” she says. They also schedule lunches and weekend meetups to catch up.
Favorite shared memories include Derek serving as best man in Diana’s 2024 wedding to John Tolbert ’18 ’23G, whom she met as an undergraduate. Wedding photos were taken on campus.
“It was really a full circle moment to share that with my brother,” Diana says.
Both agree they will always remember supporting each other while navigating their academic careers.
“Diana has been such a great support system and role model for me, and we’ve grown really close over the last four years,” Derek says.
They’re looking forward to what may become their most cherished Lehigh memory: graduating together in May 2025. The event will be celebrated with their mother, Susan Mitch Hammerstone ’91G ’03G.
