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

September 5, 2026

Larry and Pat Shadek Give $5 Million to Build New Varsity House

Emeritus Trustee and Hall of Fame Inductee Larry Shadek ’72 and his wife, Pat, have made a $5 million gift to support the construction of Shadek Varsity House at the College’s Shadek Stadium.

September 2, 2026

‘I Find It Important and Necessary’: Uncovering Lancaster's Hidden History

For Frances Taylor ’27, the Lancaster Vice project checked all the right boxes: collaborating with a faculty mentor, exploring how their two majors converge in the real world, and unearthing stories the city had forgotten. “I enjoy learning about hidden history that popular culture often overlooks,” Taylor said.

August 31, 2026

Fulfilling a Dream: A Diplomat’s Forensic Internship

For Kayla McCrea ’27, the path to forensic science began with a high school tour of the New Jersey State Police. Emboldened by that early glimpse into the field, she came to F&M to build the expertise and skills necessary to return as a toxicology unit intern — a feat she accomplished this summer.