It’s a crisp November evening and Tanner Erisman ’19 is giving free haircuts to members of his church congregation at the Lancaster home he shares with his wife, Crystal (Good) Erisman ’18, and their 7-month old son, Jett. 

It’s a tradition that started nine years ago at an F&M residence hall, where Tanner provided haircuts to fellow students. Word of “Tanner’s Trims” quickly spread; a roommate even created business cards as a gimmick. 

The endeavor wasn’t particularly profitable, but that wasn’t the point. It was more the camaraderie and chance to meet peers of all backgrounds.

The evening highlights the generous and welcoming nature of the couple, who have stayed closely connected to F&M and the Lancaster community since graduating. Both work at Clark Associates, Tanner as director of purchasing and Crystal as a vendor team leader.

The Erismans have consistently given back to F&M through philanthropy since graduating and have served as organizers and ambassadors at campus class reunion socials, sporting events, and even guest speaking in classes. As GOLD alumni - Graduates Of the Last Decade – they are among the College’s emerging leaders.

The couple met when Tanner was a first-year student and Crystal was a sophomore. Who noticed who first is still up for debate, but the pair credits Diplomat Christian Fellowship for bringing them closer together. By senior year, Tanner knew he was ready to propose. 

“It's special that we got to date while going to the same school, and have a similar experience that we now carry with us,” Crystal said. 

Both Tanner and Crystal were standout students and athletes. 

Tanner, of Lancaster County, was a special studies major in “Leadership and Governance,” which combined business, organizations & society (BOS) and government. He earned All-Centennial Conference (CC) first-team recognition as a quarterback for the Dips football squad and threw javelin for the track and field team.  

Crystal, of Muncy, Pa., graduated with a double major in BOS and chemistry. A multi-year recipient of the softball National Federation of Coaches' Association Academic Honors (awarded to student-athletes with a 3.5 or higher GPA), she was also named to the conference’s spring academic honor roll and All-CC second team. 

Below, learn why the Erismans see the value of giving back to F&M in a variety of ways. 

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You’ve both remained very involved with F&M since graduating. What inspires you to give back to the College?
There are two main categories that one can give: money or time. At this stage of our lives, we enjoy giving our time to things that have past, current or future significance to our family.

Tanner, can you provide more details about being a guest speaker in BOS classes? 
I was offered the opportunity to be an ambassador for Clark Associates in my first year at Clark. Saying “yes” was easy for two reasons: It was an opportunity to advise current F&M students on collegiate and post-graduate decisions, while also being an outlet to recruit strong talent to a great, local company. 

Why did you both choose to attend F&M?
It was a well-known academic institution with a strong athletic department and generous financial aid. 

Do you have any favorite places on campus or in Lancaster? 
On campus, we would often do our work together at the computers that were in ITS [Information Technology Services]. In Lancaster, there are many great options to choose, but we spent the first four years of our marriage renting a small cabin in the woods of southern Lancaster County along the peaceful Pequea Creek. 

What are some favorite undergraduate memories?
Some things that stand out to us include sports games or practices: Opening the first football game in Shadek Stadium (defeating Dickinson 56-0). Winning the conference championship for softball and football in the same calendar year. Times with friends playing Settlers of Catan. Giving campus tours to students from all across the nation and world. And, of course, Tanner’s Trims. 

What is your hope for the next generation of Diplomats?
The opportunity to learn but also connect with others. To build lasting relationships, whether that's with mentors and professors or classmates. They have an opportunity to go to a school that likes to invest in every student and give them the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy and love. Ultimately, the biggest thing that we gained from F&M is the network of connections.