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
January 30, 2025
F&M Trip to New Orleans Marks Two Decades of Disaster Relief
After Hurricane Katrina’s powerful winds and storm surge devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005, a group of students at Franklin & Marshall College launched an organization to support the recovery effort. Two decades later, the Catastrophic Relief Alliance (CRA) is as strong as it’s ever been—and is still working to improve lives in areas affected by America’s most costly natural disasters.
January 28, 2025
Revisiting World War II Correspondence of F&M Servicemen
In August 1943, F&M President Theodore “Prexy” Distler created a bimonthly newsletter to keep enlisted service members informed of changes on campus. The newsletters also shared welcome updates from classmates around the globe, including Richard “Dick” Luxner ’48, a member of the College’s volunteer Cadet Corps.
January 23, 2025
Diplomats Give and Receive Through The Seeing Eye
For a host of F&M alumni, raising service dogs is more than a passion—it’s part of life. Learn how their work enhances the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of blind people.