F&M Stories

Home / Commencement / Commencement Archive / Commencement 2021 / 2021 Senior Spotlights / Franklin & Marshall – Senior Spotlight: Mark Marotta

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

July 30, 2026

Where Creativity Meets Innovation: Bringing a New Investment in Entrepreneurship to F&M

Franklin & Marshall College will develop and pilot a new entrepreneurship center – the Venture and Impact Studio – thanks to support from alumni entrepreneurs. The Center will integrate innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skill-building across the curriculum and throughout F&M's campus.

July 30, 2026

F&M Receives $2.8 Million in State Grants for Campus Construction Projects

Franklin & Marshall College is the recent recipient of four Pennsylvania grants totaling nearly $3 million to support construction and infrastructure projects on and adjacent to campus.

July 29, 2026

A Diplomat’s Return to Lead: Matt DesChamps ’93, P’28 Begins Service as Board Chair

Matt DesChamps ’93, P’28 has spent more than three decades giving back to the College—as a volunteer, mentor, fundraiser, trustee, and advocate. Now, that enduring commitment has brought him to a new role: Chair of F&M's Board of Trustees.