It’s hard to miss Jake Lamb ’25 on Franklin & Marshall’s campus. 

You might see him weaving between buildings on his longboard. Or perhaps, walking backward as an admission tour guide. Singing on stage as a member of either The Chessmen a cappella ensemble or the Chamber Choir. Wading in the Little Conestoga Creek as he researches best practices for sediment and nutrient removal. 

You’d never know Lamb has only been on campus since January 2023. That’s because he transferred to F&M as a junior – and he hasn’t looked back. 

“I can say firmly, without a doubt in my mind, that transferring to F&M is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The moment I arrived on campus, I was instantly greeted by a variety of communities eager to welcome me in,” Lamb said.

Lamb had a nagging feeling that his previous college wasn’t the right fit for his varying ambitions. He moved back home to Media, Pa., and took a gap year for self-discovery.

F&M had been on Lamb’s radar since high school, but this time he gave it a second chance. 

Lamb knew he made the right choice when Weis College House Don Dorothy Merritts gave him a fossilized fish and said, “Welcome to F&M.” 

“It touched my heart – like she knows what I care about and she values me,” said Lamb, an environmental studies major and music performance minor. 

He spent the past summer completing field research and environmental economics analyses of legacy sediment in Chesapeake Bay tributaries under the tutelage of Patrick Fleming, associate professor of economics and public policy, and Merritts, the Harry W. & Mary B. Huffnagle Professor of Geosciences.

Over the course of two years, Lamb has grown to love Lancaster – and he won’t have to stray far after he graduates early in December. He plans to continue working with the Chesapeake Watershed Initiative.

"Transferring to F&M is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made."

Jake Lamb '25

“I can't imagine how different my life would be had I never come to F&M,” Lamb said.

Beyond his environmental research, Lamb “found my musical passions with the F&M music program. But also, the music community is so good in Lancaster.” 

He occasionally sings with community choirs and has access to music production and technology facilities at nearby Millersville University.

Lamb credits Brian Norcross, senior director of instrumental music and conducting studies and senior teaching professor of music, for telling him “everything you could ever want to know about music at F&M” when he began the transfer process. 

On average, F&M enrolls 12 transfer students each fall and six students in the spring. The College welcomes transfer students and has created a step-by-step guide for a successful application process.

“Every transfer I’ve talked to at F&M is grateful to be here, and excited for the opportunities to come that the tight-knit F&M community is already providing us with,” Lamb said.

“I’m grateful to be able to say that becoming a Diplomat has changed me for the better and brought new sources of creativity and value to my life that I would have never thought to explore elsewhere.” 

Below, meet other F&M transfer students who have made the most of their college swap. 

"Becoming a Diplomat has changed me for the better and brought new sources of creativity and value to my life," said Jake Lamb '25, pictured at an Oct. 2024 research fair. (Photo by Deb Grove)

"I wanted something smaller and much more personal."

Sofia Portillo ’25

Sofia Portillo ’25

• Joint studies major:  History and international studies 
• Hometown:  York, Pa.
• Activities on campus: Weis College House Adviser, Mi Gente Latina board member, research assistant.
• Meet Sofia:  History Detective Digs into the Past

Why did you choose F&M?

After my first quarter at [my previous institution], I did not feel like I could build strong relationships with professors who could mentor me throughout the rest of my college career. It was a big school that did not have great resources for its humanities majors, so I knew when transferring that I wanted something smaller and much more personal.

I never thought about attending F&M because it is 30 minutes away from home. I came to visit F&M in the spring of 2022. My tour guide spoke about his brilliant independent research projects and how the school helped him develop those skills to conduct such sophisticated research. I was sold! 

What advice do you have for students considering transferring to F&M?

As a transfer student, you should have an idea of what you do and don't like about college, what you do and don't want in a school, and things that are super important and less important to have at your institution. Do your research, and find out if F&M is the right fit for your needs! 

Reach out to professors in your area of study, connect with current students and go on a tour. Make sure that this move will get you closer to what you want than where you are now. Transferring is hard and daunting, but if you put yourself out there and leverage the experience you already have, that is half the battle! Lastly, don’t be ashamed of wanting to leave – own it!

"I decided to transfer to F&M because I felt that I could discover a community for all students."

Teagan Durkin ’26

Teagan Durkin ’26

• Joint studies major:  English (creative writing) and anthropology
• Minor:  French
• Hometown: Oreland, Pa.
• Activities on campus: Weis College House Adviser, First-Year Advising Mentor (FAM), John Marshall Pre-Law Society, The College Reporter opinions editor, Philadelphia Alumni Writers House commune member, Alice Drum Women's Center board member
• Meet Teagan:  Junior Finds Culture & Community Through Lancaster Internship

Why did you choose F&M?

I decided to transfer to F&M because I felt that I could discover a community for all students. Similarly, I wanted to be confident that every student, not regardless of, but because of their unique background and perspective, could discover professional and personal opportunities for growth.

What advice do you have for students considering transferring to F&M?

If someone is considering transferring to F&M, I recommend reaching out and connecting to current students, as well as visiting to see if Lancaster fits where they want to see themselves grow.