F&M Stories
Senior Spotlight: Mark Marotta
As they prepare for their May 15 Commencement Ceremony, Franklin & Marshall seniors look back at their four years on campus—and what's next.
Name: Mark Marotta
Major: Dual major in economics and English (creative writing)
What town do you call home? Harrington Park, N.J.
Activities at F&M:
Men's rowing, Phi Kappa Psi, InterFraternity Council, WFNM, Creativity and Innovation Incubator
Your senior year has been unlike any other in F&M's history. What have you learned about yourself this year?
I've learned that I am much more patient than I initially thought of myself. Once quarantine began and the days crawled by, I developed more understanding and appreciation of delayed gratification.
What has been your most memorable moment or time here at F&M?
Singling out a specific moment is quite difficult. But, anytime I took a step out of my comfort zone, my surrounding community always supported me, even pushing me to limits much further than I expected I was capable of achieving.
What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?
Living in a place where my friends are no more than a few minutes away.
Why did you choose to attend F&M?
My oldest brother had graduated from here in 2014, so I always felt some proximity to the college. Then, when it came time to apply to schools, the writing-intensive curriculum teamed with the smaller class size ended up being as personalized as initially hoped.
What advice do you have for incoming first-years?
There are no wrong ways to get involved, and don't wait to spend all your flex until the end of the semester.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I don't have any plans set in stone as I am writing this, but hopefully, I will be living and working in Lancaster in the near future.
Related Articles
April 20, 2026
From Campus Leader to Communications Professional
Whether leading campus tours or serving as senior class president, Catherine Welch ’26 is exploring a future in communications with courage and curiosity. As a marketing intern in Lancaster, the English major is now using her passion for writing to address critical social issues in the local community.
April 17, 2026
‘This is What Community Feels Like’
At the Writers House, Veronique Messanh ’26 found more than a job—she found a home. “I remember thinking: ‘This is what community feels like,’” she said. “I will forever be grateful for having a community that sees me, hears me, and encourages me!”
April 16, 2026
From F&M to Yale PhD, Quantum Pioneer and the College’s Youngest Trustee
Yusong (Sebastian) Deng ’22 is clear about the importance of F&M in his life. He came to the United States from China at 18 and completed F&M’s dual degree program — three years at Franklin & Marshall, two at Columbia University — earning a bachelor of arts with honors in mathematics from F&M, and a bachelor of science from Columbia. He is now a doctoral student in materials science at Yale and the youngest member of Franklin & Marshall's Board of Trustees.