F&M Stories
At Franklin & Marshall College, we connect our students with extraordinary opportunities so they can accomplish great things in their four years on campus. Here are just a few of their stories.
08/26/2024
Class of 2028 Convocation Centers on Belonging
Class of 2028 members gathered for the first time as a cohort at Convocation, a time-honored event that signifies the start of their F&M journeys and the beginning of the academic year.
08/21/2024
Beyond the Mat: James Conway ’25 Balances Academics & Athletics
This past spring, senior James Conway became the first F&M student to earn the NCAA Elite 90 Award in any sport. Months later, the varsity wrestler is busy at work in the laboratory as a summer Hackman Scholar.
08/19/2024
History Detective Digs into the Past
When Sofia Portillo arrived at Franklin & Marshall College, majoring in history was not a subject she considered until she took a class. Then she found her passion.
08/15/2024
Success Beyond F&M: ‘I Was Drawn to F&M’s Unique Liberal Arts Approach to Business’
At F&M, Alysse Danyi ’23 studied business, public policy, and German. Now she is pursuing a Juris Doctor at Villanova University. “F&M's rigorous liberal arts education prepared me well to critically analyze policy issues and formulate credible,...
08/15/2024
F&M Poll: Harris Leads Trump in Pennsylvania
Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, 46% to 43%, according to the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll.
08/08/2024
Success Beyond F&M: A Graduate’s Path to a Career in Animal Behavior
After graduating from F&M with a degree in animal behavior, Gabie Nealon-Shapiro ’23 completed an internship with The Wildcat Sanctuary (TWS). “I am certain F&M was the perfect choice for me to begin to become an animal behaviorist,” she said.
08/06/2024
F&M Alum Outfits U.S. Gymnasts in Paris Olympics
Matt Cowan ’03 is chief executive officer of GK Elite – the name behind Team USA’s stunning leotards worn by Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.
08/01/2024
Family Goals: F&M Alumnus Cheers on Daughters at the Olympics
Michael DeBerdine ’87 and his wife Deb are in Paris to cheer on their daughters Brooke and Emma, both members of the U.S. Olympic Women's Field Hockey Team.
08/01/2024
Success Beyond F&M: An Interest in the Mind Leads to Studying Human-AI Interaction
Raluca Rilla ’23, a cognitive science and psychology double major at F&M, is pursuing a master’s degree in cognitive systems at the University of Potsdam in Germany. “Without the training and mentorship that I received at F&M, I would not have...
07/30/2024
Alumni Put Environmental Science Degrees to Work at Chesapeake Watershed Initiative
For 2023 alumni Alice Fodor and Hannah Connuck, studying environmental science at Franklin & Marshall helped them land full-time roles with the Chesapeake Watershed Initiative (CWI) shortly after graduation.
07/25/2024
Success Beyond F&M: Gaining Invaluable Skills in Effective Communication, Problem Solving, and Leadership
Coming from a long line of service members, joining the armed forces was always a goal of William Lewerenz ’23. “F&M did an extraordinary job of helping me to follow my passions as well as aiding me to discover new ones,” Lewerenz said.
07/22/2024
Benefactor Ann B. Barshinger W’43 Dies at 100
Ann B. Barshinger W’43, Franklin & Marshall College’s most generous benefactor, who set a shining example of service throughout central Pennsylvania, died July 21 at Willow Valley Communities in Willow Street, Pa. She was 100.