F&M Stories

Building Community: Two Campus Clubs Celebrate 20 Years

As the Franklin & Marshall community turns the page on 2024, two vibrant student organizations on campus are observing milestones. 

Intelligent Men Purposefully Accomplishing College Together (known as I.M.P.A.C.T.) celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. S.I.S.T.E.R.S., short for Sophisticated Intelligent Sisters Teaching Excellence Responsibility and Success, also is celebrating its 20th year at F&M. 

Founded in 2004, I.M.P.A.C.T. emphasizes the importance of a campus brotherhood that pushes men to accomplish college together by sharing their experiences to excel and prepare for the professional world. Its current student membership is 24, and hundreds of graduates still network regularly based on their shared I.M.P.A.C.T. experience. Among many of the group’s activities this fall was an Oct. 5 reunion for alumni and students during True Blue Weekend.

S.I.S.T.E.R.S. fosters a community of support for women of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities  on F&M's campus, creating a supportive community of thoughtful, analytical and well-rounded women and promoting respect and understanding among its members. The group’s student membership stands at 46. It hosted its biannual Women's Conference Nov. 9, featuring passionate discussions with visiting panelists. The group has coordinated efforts with several Lancaster nonprofits in recent years.

S.I.S.T.E.R.S membership stands at 46. The club recently hosted their biannual Women's Conference on Nov. 9, a catered event featuring heartfelt discussions with visiting panelists. The group has coordinated with several Lancaster nonprofits in recent years. 

Below, meet a few student members of these campus communities. 

F&M IMPACT club

Intelligent Men Purposefully Accomplishing College Together (known as I.M.P.A.C.T.) celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Timilehin Adefioye ‘26

I.M.P.A.C.T. co-scribe

  • Hometown: Newark, N.J.
  • Major: Bioinformatics
  • Campus activities: Rugby, National Society of Black Engineers
  • Why did you join I.M.P.A.C.T? “I wanted to contribute to building a community for like-minded men on campus.”
Eli Booth ‘25 

I.M.P.A.C.T. co-president

  • Hometown: Philadelphia
  • Majors: Environmental studies, public policy
  • Campus activities: Phi Kappa Sigma, rugby
  • Why did you join I.M.P.A.C.T? “I wanted to find a brotherhood that had strong values and community.”

SISTERS pink tie ball

Members of sisters embrace at the organization’s Pink-Tie Ball in 2022, a philanthropy event where students and alumni raise money to donate to their charity of choice.

Lily Rodriguez ’26

S.I.S.T.E.R.S. community service advocate 

  • Double major: Economics; business, organizations and society 
  • Hometown: Miami 
  • What inspires you? “The ability to make a meaningful contribution.”
Nathalie Hernandez ’27

S.I.S.T.E.R.S. fundraising advocate

  • Intended majors: Economics; public health
  • Intended minor: French
  • Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y., and Mexico 
  • What inspires you? “My family’s sacrifices inspire me to be a better person and strive for more.”

Related Articles

October 22, 2024

Open House Gives Glimpse of Campus

F&M’s annual fall open house provided prospective Diplomats the opportunity to visit academic and social spaces across campus.

October 14, 2024

Teach for America: F&M Alumni Share Their Stories

As F&M students catch their breath during fall break, eight May graduates are experiencing the other side of the classroom through Teach for America. Current and past Teacher Corps members share their experiences.

October 9, 2024

F&M Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

For the third consecutive year, F&M has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.