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

May 8, 2026

Class of 2026 Celebrates Four-Year Journey with Lux et Lex Walk

On May 8, students bookended their college journey with the Lux et Lex walk, which they first completed as incoming students. Members of the campus community gathered to cheer for students as they passed under the Lux et Lex arch on Klauder-Apple walkway and celebrated with a champagne toast on Harris Patio.

May 8, 2026

Seniors in the Spotlight

During their time on campus, members of the Franklin & Marshall Class of 2026 have taken advantage of the College’s liberal arts approach to explore their passions and chart their own path, combining stellar academic achievement with influential leadership, meaningful community-building, record-setting athletic performances, and much more.

May 7, 2026

Fulbright-Bound Senior Sparks Campus-Wide AI Conversation

Zaeem Zia ’26 made the most of his four years at F&M, from joining the rowing team to organizing a campus conversation centered on ethical, economic, and policy-driven approaches to AI. What’s next? A Fulbright scholarship in Finland to study data analytics.