F&M Stories

Academics, Athletics & Adventure: Koa Kaliebe’s F&M Trifecta

At F&M, Koa Kaliebe '25 wasn't just a student-athlete; he was an explorer. While he competed on the Men's Varsity Soccer team, Kaliebe also dove into intramural volleyball and basketball, a custom major in business and environmental studies, and the culinary scene of Lancaster.

Koa Kaliebe ’25

Photo Credit: Deb Grove

Koa Kaliebe '25

Major: Joint major in business, organizations & society and environmental studies

Home: Cary, N.C.

Activities at F&M: Men's Varsity Soccer, Student-Athlete Leadership Council, Harwood Leadership Seminar. Kaliebe achieved a rare feat of being awarded both the Edward Garrigues '25 Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award and the John A. Fry Delphic Student-Athlete Award. The Edward Garrigues '25 Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award, which is awarded by F&M Athletics to the male senior athlete with cumulative outstanding athletic achievements over a four-year period. The John A. Fry Delphic Student-Athlete Award Winners, which is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the College. The award is bestowed upon a male and a female athlete who has achieved the highest level of excellence in athletics, community service and academics. In accordance with the College's Delphic Student-Athlete Honor Society, the recipient must embody the ideals of mind, body and spirit.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

F&M provided me the best place to continue my athletic career while pursuing a quality degree with exposure to multiple disciplines in small classrooms where I could really get to know my professors and classmates.

What is something that you did for fun at F&M?

I enjoyed playing intramural sports, both volleyball and basketball. I also really enjoyed walking around Lancaster, going to Central Market, and exploring the great food scene.

What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?

I enjoyed just hanging out on campus, training and competing with my best friends, meeting new people, and trying new things.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I am pursuing various business roles and looking to relocate back to North Carolina.

What brief advice would you give to incoming students in F&M’s Class of 2029?

Be open to new things! Take classes that seem interesting. You will change your mind about what you want to do, so be curious and open to trying new foods, doing new activities, and meeting people from different backgrounds.

“Be open to new things! Be curious and open to trying new foods, doing new activities, and meeting people from different backgrounds.”

— Koa Kaliebe '25

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