F&M Stories

Home / Commencement / Commencement Archive / Commencement 2019 / Franklin & Marshall – Your Core is 'The Source of Your Passion,' Speaker Tells Graduates

Your Core is 'The Source of Your Passion,' Speaker Tells Graduates

Franklin & Marshall College alumna Dr. Rahel Nardos '97, director of global health for Oregon Health & Science University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, offered graduates at F&M's May 12 Commencement a perspective on her experiences growing up poor in Ethiopia.

"They were responsible for making me who I am today, what I chose to care about, how I define success, and how hard I am willing to work for it," said Nardos, who supports a women's health program in sub-Saharan Africa."What experiences shape your internal compass? What speaks to you at your core? Take time to find the answers to these questions," she told the Class of 2019. "They will be the source of your passion, your fulfillment and your resilience in the face of obstacles."

Robed in black, 540 students — including 94 international students from 28 countries and 97 first-generation students, crossed Hartman Green on a bright, blue, breezy day to ascend the stage where F&M President Barbara Altmann presented the graduates with their hard-earned baccalaureates.

View the highlights of a day that celebrated achievement:

 
 

Related Articles

October 6, 2026

Former Lancaster Mayor to Serve as Inaugural Leader-in-Residence at Mehlman Institute

Danene Sorace, who served as Lancaster's 43rd mayor from 2018-2026, has been named the inaugural leader-in-residence at F&M’s Mehlman Leadership and Performance Institute. During the 2026-27 academic year, she will work with the Institute’s 60 Mehlman Fellows, bringing her experience in civic leadership and public service directly to the F&M community.

September 30, 2026

Patricia E. Harris '77 to Receive Inaugural Benjamin Franklin Distinguished Innovator Award

This fall, Franklin & Marshall College will debut a new honor and celebrate the career and leadership of one of its most accomplished graduates: Patricia E. Harris '77, Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO, former first deputy mayor of New York City, and Trustee Emerita.

September 28, 2026

Alum’s $1 Million Gift to Construct The Arnold Family Track

For Michael “Mike” Arnold ’08, the track where he competed as a Franklin & Marshall student-athlete reflects the transformative power of Division III athletics programs at scholar-focused institutions — and the kind of lasting impact he hopes to create for future generations of student-athletes.