After transferring to Lehigh as a junior, long-time Reunion volunteer Celeste Varricchio ’73 (second from the right) became one of the first 12 women to receive an undergraduate degree from Lehigh in the historic Class of 1973. Celeste was also part of another historic group of Lehigh women, being one of the first six female Gryphon Society members. In the two years Celeste spent on South Mountain, she gained many friendships that are alive and well today. Pictured left to right: Ruth Scriptunas ’73 ’74G, Patricia T. Beadling ’73, Celeste, Betsy A. Adams ’73 ’75G at Reunion Weekend in 1988.
Reflecting on your time in the Lehigh family, what is your fondest memory as a student?
CV: Gryphon orientation in August 1971. To be welcomed by such an extraordinary group of individuals, eager to offer friendship and advice about all things Lehigh, set the tone for my two years at the university.
How many Reunion Weekends have you attended?
CV: Reunion 2018 marks the 45th anniversary for the class of 1973, and I’ve attended every one of my class reunions — plus two extras: 1972 when I was a shuttle driver and 2016 when I attended Lehigh’s 150th celebration with my late uncle Phil Varricchio ’43 (below).
What motivated you to get involved with the Reunion committee?
CV: In spring of 1972, my roommate, Ruth Scriptunas, and I decided to volunteer as drivers of the Reunion shuttle. We had a blast, experiencing what all the hoopla was all about — the funny hats, the signs, the parade, and the alumni ball at Hotel Bethlehem. We volunteered again in 1973, but this time we had the cache of actually being alumni. Again, there was the alumni ball at Hotel Bethlehem — a fun time to get dressed up and dance the night away. Uncle Phil was there, and he was one heckuva dancer!
I came back in 1978 for my fifth reunion, having just moved back east from Texas, where I lived, worked, and earned a graduate degree. I had fun at the 1978 Reunion, but was really disappointed in the parade. It was the “First Co-ed Class/First Class Co-ed” theme. Plus, the parade was held at Stabler Arena. The event was nothing at all like the great time of 1973. So, when planning began for our 10th Reunion in 1983, I volunteered for the Reunion committee. I wanted to take charge of the parade, and I am happy to say the other committee members all said “welcome to it.” We had a great time throughout the weekend, won the Petty Prize, and developed a great Reunion committee, most of whom return every five years to plan each reunion.
Let’s say you’re chatting with a fellow alumnus/a that is on the fence about Reunion 2018. What would you say to convince them to attend?
CV: This Reunion in 2018 is full of pluses: Reunion weekend is back in June, you can pick and choose the events you want to attend, you’ll see classmates and meet people you didn’t know were classmates, we are bringing back the Friday night party, you will have a blast with the parade, you’ll get to hear about Lehigh then vs. now at our class dinner, and in five years, the Class of 1973 will be looking at 50 years, so when you come back for Reunion 2023, you can reminisce about how nice it was to be younger.
BONUS QUESTION
You just arrived in Bethlehem for the Reunion 2018, and you’re starving. Where are you going to eat and what are you ordering?
CV: First thought would be The Ho, but I don’t eat burgers anymore, and parking in South Bethlehem has become impossible. I suppose I would drive up and down 4th Street looking for a place that looked promising or find a parking spot and continue looking. What would I eat? Who knows.
Don’t miss out on the best weekend on South Mountain and sign up for Reunion 2018! Visit alum.lu/reunion for more info.
