True Blue Weekend FAQ

True Blue Weekend A-Z Index

ALMA MATER

We hail thee, Alma Mater, our gallant 
White and Blue,
With one accord, in deed and word, as sons and
daughters true;
We honor thy traditions, and those who’ve 
gone before,
In weal or woe, to thee shall flow, our hearts
forever more.
We love each hall and building, thy campus
stretching long,
Thy tow’r and bell, with solemn knell, that call 
to work and song;
We’ll give the world our service, but ever like 
a gem,
Our hearts shall hold, a love untold, for dear 
old F&M.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE

Nearly 30,000 living F&M Alumni are members of the Alumni Association. The Alumni Association of F&M is one of the oldest in the country. Now that is something to be proud of! Meet members of the current Alumni Association Board on campus throughout the weekend. For more information, visit the F&M Alumni Association Board website.

ASSISTANCE

Need help? Look for the friendly True Blue Weekend student volunteers, easily identified in their blue T-shirts for any assistance you might need.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Alumni Sports & Fitness Center (ASFC)
(Schnader Field House, suspended jogging track and Poorbaugh Fitness Center)
Please be aware that the Field House and Suspended Jogging Track will be closed during the weekend for True Blue Weekend programming.

The Poorbaugh Fitness Center in the ASFC is open to all alumni, parents and guests during True Blue Weekend. Passes for the center are available at the Information Desk in Steinman College Center.

Friday: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m. – Noon
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 8:45 p.m.

McGinness Pool
Families are welcome to swim; a lifeguard will be on duty. Please be aware that the water is chilly!

Friday: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. 
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Saturday : Closed
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mayser Physical Education Center

Friday: 9 a.m. – Noon
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Mayser Squash Courts 

Friday – Sunday: Closed

ATHLETICS SIDELINE STORE
Support Diplomat Athletics and order your favorite Team Gear! The Franklin & Marshall College Athletic Department has launched a Sideline Store in conjunction with BSN Sports to allow fans to purchase gear as they get set to support our Diplomats during the upcoming seasons. The newly-created store will include sport-specific merchandise, order customization, and direct shipping to the store.

Visit sideline.bsnsports.com and search for Franklin & Marshall College or use the “Shop” link on godiplomats.com. 

BOOKSTORE  
The F&M College Bookstore is open and offering a 10% discount during the weekend:

Friday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

BUILDING HOURS

Shadek-Fackenthal Library

Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - midnight

Archives and Special Collections

Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. by appointment

Martin Library of the Sciences

Friday: 8 a.m. –  9 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.  – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight

Please note: After 5 p.m., both libraries are accessible only via card access with a valid F&M ID. 

Phillips Museum of Art

Friday: Noon – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.

Steinman College Center

Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 10:30 p.m.

CAMPUS MAP
F&M’s campus map is available online. Paper maps will be available at the Lombardo Welcome Center information desk.

CAMPUS SECURITY
Dial x3939 from any campus phone or 717-358-3939 for the College’s Department of Public Safety. Please remember to lock your unattended vehicle and do not leave valuables unattended. Call Public Safety to report a problem or to request assistance. Emergency call boxes are located throughout campus.

CAREER ADVISING, STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Whether to guide you through your first or fifth job transition, facilitate the development of professional skills and connections or help you prepare graduate or professional school application materials, the Center for Career and Professional Development provides ongoing support to students and alumni. In-person alumni advising appointments on Friday, Oct. 4 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email Ashley Fry, director of career development, at afry@fandm.edu, to request an appointment. For more information or to schedule a virtual appointment for another date, visit the Career and Professional Development webpage for alumni. 

CAREER CLOSET
Do you have any spare new or gently used business wear taking up space in your closet that you could donate to F&M students for interviews, networking or presentations? If so, please drop them off at one of F&M's Career Closet donation bins, located near the registration tables in the Lombardo Welcome Center or in Harwood Commons on Hartman Green. Ideal donations include timeless pieces of all sizes, preferably purchased within the last five years, including suits, jackets, pants, skirts, shirts, ties, belts and shoes. Thank you in advance for your donations, which are frequently used and greatly appreciated by students during the academic year! 

DIPLOMATS FOREVER
THE WORLD NEEDS DIPLOMATS
At F&M, we do more than teach students. We mentor scholars and researchers, entrepreneurs, club members, team players, risk-takers and innovative, creative thinkers. Our students, alumni, faculty, professional staff and families step forward as leaders and make a difference in their communities. F&M fully engages all members of our community in the life of the College and encourages them to contribute to something larger than themselves.

Our community members are ambassadors for F&M. Together, we celebrate shared successes and overcome challenges. Our community is connected to a global network that fosters the kind of personal and professional connections that create meaningful lives. 

Together, as a community, we build upon F&M’s outstanding reputation and inspire others to join us in shaping a better future.

We are #DiplomatsForever.

To Our True Blue Weekend Attendees: As you walk around campus, we invite you to experience the many ways we show our tremendous pride for so many distinguished and accomplished Diplomats. Looks for the Diplomats Forever banners prominently displayed around campus, on F&M social media, in print and on our website.

“DIPLOMATCH” PROGRAM 
New international students and alumni are paired to provide a friendly F&M welcome and connection to events during True Blue weekend and beyond. Pairs will meet in the Joseph International Center for a kickoff and welcome and then will disburse to engage with activities as they choose. Pre-registration is required.

Contact Sue Mennicke (susan.mennicke@fandm.edu), associate dean for international programs, if you are interested in learning more about this program.

F&M CONNECTIONS 
F&M Connections is the bimonthly e-newsletter for alumni and current parents, which includes details about regional, on-campus and online events, as well as updates from F&M. To be sure you are receiving the e-newsletter, send your up-to-date mailing and email address to arecords@fandm.edu. 

F&M IN
“F&M in” provides opportunities for alumni, F&M families and friends across the globe to build lifelong relationships with each other and the College. Planning and attending events in your region is a great way to connect with other friends of F&M, strengthen the F&M network and stay involved with the life of the College. 

Contact Jenn Gallagher, associate director of alumni engagement, at jenn.gallagher@fandm.edu or 717-358-4792 to learn more. 

FAN: FRANKLIN & MARSHALL ADMISSION NETWORK 
The mission of the Franklin & Marshall Admission Network (FAN) is to support the enrollment and admission strategy of the College. Its members serve as ambassadors for the College. FAN volunteers are alumni and parents who supplement the College’s recruiting efforts by expanding admission outreach. Working with F&M admission staff, the volunteers help promote the College to prospective students and their parents across the country and around the world. To learn more about FAN or to volunteer, check the FAN link on our volunteer page.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE 
Looking for a cup of coffee or a quick snack? There are several delicious options available for you on campus.

Diplomatic Cafe (Distler House/Campus Bookstore)

Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday:  8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The Restaurants at Ben Franklin Dining Hall 

Friday Breakfast: 7 - 10:30 a.m.
Friday Lunch: 11:30 - 1 p.m. 
Friday Dinner: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Brunch: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Saturday & Sunday Dinner: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Grille off the Green (Steinman College Center)

Friday: 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 10 p.m.

Handcrafted (Steinman College Center)

Friday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: Noon – 9 p.m.

Mein Bowl (Steinman College Center)

Friday: 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 10 p.m.

Flavors (Barshinger Life Science & Philosophy Building)

Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL FUND
Support every student every day with your gift to the Franklin & Marshall Fund. From scholarships and faculty research to funding for the student experience and career services, the Franklin & Marshall Fund supports everything that makes F&M a transformational experience for tomorrow’s leaders. You may also consider a recurring gift (annually, quarterly or monthly) as a convenient, customizable way to support F&M. To learn more, visit fandm.edu/giving.

GOLD ALUMNI
GOLD alumni are F&M’s Graduates Of the Last Decade! We encourage our newest alumni to continue to engage with F&M and check out on-campus, regional and virtual programs, events and activities. Visit fandm.edu/alumni or contact Megan Finlan at mfinlan@fandm.edu to find out what is happening in your area.

LOMBARDO WELCOME CENTER
The Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center was made possible thanks to a generous $5 million gift from Lancaster residents Sam and Dena Lombardo. Formerly College Square, this facility serves as a gateway to campus and acts as an open invitation for prospective families and returning alumni. 

LOST AND FOUND
Lost something? Inquire at the Information Desk in Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center.

NAME TAGS
We can help you decode True Blue Weekend name tags!

We are thankful for the many alumni, families and friends who support F&M through their philanthropy. Donors who have made gifts in the last fiscal year, gifts or pledges this fiscal year (which began July 1, 2024), and/or who are members of lifetime donor recognition societies are acknowledged with an “I Gave” sticker on their name tag. 

Discover how you can continue to make a lasting impact by exploring our giving societies.

The Kite and Key Circle recognizes our most generous donors who have made cumulative gifts to the College totaling $10 million or more.

The Lux et Lex Society recognizes donors who have made cumulative gifts to the College totaling $5 million to $9,999,999.  

The Founders Society recognizes our generous donors who have made cumulative gifts totaling $1 million to $4,999,999 million.

The Tow’r and Bell Society recognizes donors who have made cumulative gifts to the College totaling $500,000 to $999,999.

The John Marshall Society recognizes donors who have made cumulative gifts totaling $100,000 to $499,999.

The William A. Schnader Society honors and celebrates those who have made a special commitment to Franklin & Marshall College by making planned gifts that will benefit the College in the future. Examples include bequests, trusts, charitable gift annuities and beneficiary designations.

The Benjamin Franklin Society celebrates donors who support F&M with an annual leadership-level gift of $1,787 or larger. Membership in the Benjamin Franklin Society for Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) begins at $100 for each year since graduation.

The 1787 Society celebrates the importance of sustained commitment to F&M by recognizing the generosity of our loyal alumni who have given to the College in any amount in two or more consecutive years.

NURSING ROOM
A nursing room is provided in Steinman College Center. The door to the nursing room can be locked from the inside, and no key is needed for access.

PARKING
Guests arriving for True Blue Weekend and picking up registration materials may utilize 15-minute parking spaces in the Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center lot.

General parking is available on Liberty Street, in the lots at Liberty St. & Armstrong Blvd.; the parking lot across from the Joseph International Center; and by utilizing free street parking adjacent to the College.

As a reminder, parking behind College Row and the  adjacent Harrisburg Ave. businesses is reserved for College Row residents only. Signage will indicate this lot is unavailable for guest parking.

Accessible / ADA parking is available in both the Lombardo Welcome Center and Williamson Parking Lots. ADA parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

PHOTOS
True Blue Weekend photos will be available online after Monday, Oct. 14. Visit the True Blue Weekend website to view photos.

PUBLIC PHOTO USE POLICY
Franklin & Marshall College staff may take photos or video at College events, including of students and/or other event attendees, for possible use on the Franklin & Marshall College website, in printed materials, and/or on F&M social media platforms. F&M staff photographers and videographers, and photographers and videographers hired by F&M, will carry identification.

If you have any concerns about having your photo taken and possibly used as described above, please contact Associate Vice President for Communications Greg Wright at 717-358-4872. 

Please note: Franklin & Marshall College events are frequently open to the public and therefore may be attended by the media.

RAISE OUR GAME
Each October, the F&M community comes together to celebrate Diplomat Athletics and the student-athletes who put in their all every day, in the classroom, in their sports and in their communities. Gifts to the Diplomat Athletics Club help to further the impact of the collegiate athletics experience for hundreds each year. 

RESTROOMS
Men’s, women’s and gender-neutral restrooms are available in all F&M buildings. True Blue Weekend Tailgate attendees may also use the portable restrooms in the Williamson parking lot.

REUNION CLASSES
We are excited to be welcoming back and celebrating all Reunion Classes ending in 4 and 9 this year at True Blue Weekend! 

SMOKING POLICY
In order to promote the health, safety, comfort and well-being of all members of the College community, F&M prohibits smoking and lighted smoking materials everywhere on campus. This includes all athletic events and private and public spaces.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION  
A full listing of all accessible locations for campus buildings is available at the Information Table in Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center.

TAILGATE
Celebrate True Blue Weekend at the biggest party on campus. If you haven’t registered, it isn’t too late! Visit registration in the Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center. Students must register at the entrance to the Picnic tent with a meal swipe or $5. 

$25 - Alumni, parents and guests (ages 21+ for food and beverage)
$20 - GOLD alumni (Classes 2014 - 2024 for food and beverage) 
$15 - Youth (ages 13 - 20 for food and beverage) 
$12 - Children (ages 5 - 12 for food and beverage)
No Charge for children 4 years and younger 

Please note: There is no admittance to the beverage tent if you are under 21 years of age.

TRANSPORTATION

Golf Cart Transportation
Transportation via golf carts is available throughout campus for those who need assistance. Feel free to request help from True Blue Weekend student volunteers.

Golf carts will be available the following days and times:

Friday: 10 a.m. –  8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. –  8 p.m.

Taxi Service in Lancaster 

Lancaster City Cabs
717-824-4488
Hours: 7 days per week, 24 hours per day

WEBSITE RESOURCES
The F&M alumni and parents websites are a great resource for details regarding upcoming alumni and parent events, volunteer opportunities, campus news, alumni benefits and services, and alumni association activities. Add these F&M alumni webpages to your favorites: fandm.edu/alumni and fandm.edu/parents-and-families.

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS
Franklin & Marshall College provides a guest wireless network for short-term access that is accessible to campus guests with compatible wireless devices. This network uses a self-registering service similar to what you might find at a hotel or coffee shop. The wireless network is isolated from our secure campus network, and therefore some computing resources cannot be used when you are connected to the Guest WiFi,

FandM-Guest
Simply agree to the terms of service and you will be connected for up to 8 hours. If you need additional time, you will need to agree again to the terms of service.

Eduroam
If you are affiliated with another institution that uses Eduroam and are using your wireless device in an area of the campus that has access to F&M’s network, we recommend that you connect to the eduroam wireless network. 

For questions or issues related to this service, please contact or visit the ITS Help Desk located on the first floor, Martin Science Library (Building #22 on the campus map).