F&M Stories
Senior Spotlight: Mary Grace Meland
As they prepare for their May 9 Commencement Ceremony, Franklin & Marshall seniors look back at their four years on campus — and what's next.
Major: Music
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Activities: John Newman Association, Chamber Singers, Brooks College House Hall Adviser, Jazz Ensemble, voice lessons
What was your most memorable moment or time at F&M?
My most memorable moments were when my fellow music majors and I performed modern and postmodern pieces in our MUS 480 capstone class with John Carbon, our fearless leader. Whether it was a piece by fellow seniors Zach Fried or Brendan McShane or professional composer Terry Riley, it was always a unique musical experience.
What did you enjoy most about the College?
I am so grateful for the community that Music Department faculty members foster among their students. The camaraderie in the department between both majors and non-majors was special -- especially the interactions that occurred in the music lab. That space holds a place in my heart because of the memorable moments that happened there with my many musical friends. My professors' passion for their work and interest in their students helped create this community, and I am thankful for their hard work and dedication.
What are your plans for after graduation?
The only definitive plan I have is to keep singing, hopefully in a church setting and at lots of weddings.
Related Articles
August 26, 2026
Reckoning With Lancaster: Exploring Refuge, Migration, and Belonging
What does it mean for a city to be “welcoming”? Lancaster has embraced that identity, but its history tells a more complicated story. F&M students spent eight weeks exploring the people, places, and experiences that illuminate Lancaster’s evolving relationship with immigrants and migration.
August 24, 2026
F&M and Fulton Bank: Where Liberal Arts and Innovation Meet
For Moemen Ibrahim ’26, an assignment to reach out to a Franklin & Marshall College alumna on LinkedIn led to much more than a career conversation. It became the beginning of an internship and an introduction to the world of innovation at Fulton Bank — and has also led to a full-time job.
August 21, 2026
Class of 2030 Encouraged to Embrace Curiosity
Members of F&M’s Class of 2030 took their first steps as Diplomats at Convocation Aug. 20. The time-honored event signifies the beginning of the College’s academic year. “At F&M, the realms of possibilities are endless,” said Ibrahim Bin Amjad ’27, class president.
