One clear strength of Franklin & Marshall College throughout its 235-year history is its outstanding alumni. Today, its living graduates number more than 29,000 and stretch around the world. They are leaders at every level, committed to successful careers and meaningful lives. They also are determined to support F&M and one another, continuing their quest for knowledge as they create the way forward together. While graduates of any age are Diplomats Forever, many of those making a difference in their communities are under 40. Several are featured in banners across the Franklin & Marshall campus and on the Diplomats Forever website. In this series, we’ll introduce you to a few of our many alumni making a difference. Edward “EJ” Schneider ‘14, whose career trajectory from Franklin & Marshall College to Boston attorney was due in no small part to an alumni mentor, follows a simple philanthropic philosophy. “I want students to have the opportunity I had, which goes beyond the classroom, and frankly, it goes beyond the football locker room and the field,” he said. “It goes to mentorship and connectivity and professional growth.”The former two-time Centennial All-Conference quarterback for the Diplomats was mentored first as a junior by Barry Finegold '93, working as an intern in the Massachusetts state senator’s legislative office and in his Boston law firm, Dalton & Finegold, LLP. “We really hit it off,” Schneider said of Finegold, a former Diplomat football player. “I think we saw a lot of similarities in each other—a similar blue-collar upbringing, but that burning desire for wanting more. Barry has been one of the most influential people in my life. ” The experience was life-changing for the philosophy major from New Jersey who, at Finegold’s invitation, moved to Boston after graduation to work at the firm as a paralegal while attending New England Law at night for three-and-a-half years. “It was working 8 to 5-ish, going to class 6 to 9:30 or 10,” Schneider says. “I took courses each summer so I could graduate earlier; a typical law school is three years, a night program is four, but you can take courses during the summer and get done a half year earlier.” After passing the bar in 2018, Schneider began work at Dalton & Finegold, representing high net-worth clients and professional athletes in residential real estate and estate planning. Two years later, he was made a partner, the youngest in the firm’s history, and now manages the Boston office. Last year, he made a philanthropic multi-year commitment to support financial aid through the Franklin & Marshall Fund and the football team through the Diplomat Athletic Club. Another donation named a locker in honor of his parents, Edward and Katherine Schneider P'14. “Without their sacrifice in sending me to a private high school, and their countless hours at youth sports fields and high school camps to give me every opportunity they possibly could, nothing that I’m accomplishing today would be possible without my parents’ love and support,” he says. And Schneider wants to do more than just donate. He wants to work with F&M in building a system in which students easily connect with alumni in the professional fields they are considering. “So many times it really is who you know, not what you know,” he says. “Opportunity is everything.”

Class of 2000 alum Andrew Roth’s contribution will fund diversity, equity and inclusion programming on campus over the next five years.  Franklin & Marshall graduate Andrew Roth ’00 has fond memories from his four years on campus. Time spent with Phi Kappa Tau fraternity brothers. Cheering on roommate Jerome Maiatico ’00 and other close friends when the Diplomats basketball squad advanced to the Division III Final Four in 2000. One memory, however, feels a bit absent. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming, he recalls, was not the campuswide initiative found at F&M today. Events recognizing and supporting students of varying cultural  backgrounds felt confined to a small handful of campus spaces. “It was a separation that didn’t have to exist,” said Roth, head of data and martech strategy for Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company. Reflecting on a 20-year career in law and marketing, Roth realized the need for an understanding and support of underrepresented individuals.A government major at F&M, Roth started his career in private equity first as an attorney, and then in business development  and corporate strategy at Blackstone. Prior to Publicis Groupe, Roth served as executive vice president and head of innovation strategy and corporate development at IPG DXTRA. He recalled a recent conversation with Gretchel Hathaway, F&M vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “There was no overt racism that I saw on campus,” he said. “But here’s something I mentioned to Gretchel: I’ve learned a lot by speaking with a very good friend of mine, working with his minority-owned business. And I’ve realized, I don’t know anything. There’s a lot to learn. You have no idea what people are going through and the only way to begin to realize that is to educate.” Roth’s contribution will do just that, funding DEI programs on campus over the next five years. This includes a first-year student orientation curriculum with diversity education, bias awareness, enhancing cultural intelligence, and training on how to host conversations around challenging issues as well as continuing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) programs and training for all members of the  campus community.

Father and daughter Robert and Sarah Glidden both graduated from Franklin & Marshall. Along with Bob’s wife and Sarah’s mother, Eileen, the two alums recently celebrated their alma mater and the professors that make it so special. The family has established the Robert Glidden ’69, P’99, Eileen Glidden P’99 and Sarah Glidden Kempson ’99 Endowed Readership. It is being used on a two- to three-year rotating basis to support one or more tenured associate professors in recognition of their impressive pedagogical and scholarly accomplishments and future potential. The College’s provost awards these funds in support of scholarly activities aligning with the professor’s teaching, including scholarship, research, professional development, and compensation. Associate professors in economics or business, organizations & society receive special consideration for the funding. “We agreed on this gift because it's the right thing to do,” Robert Glidden, an economics major, said. “F&M was a seminal experience. It began my career trajectory. I have created, and operate, two substantial businesses. My F&M education, with a major in economics, set me up and gave me the initial business acumen to be successful.”This academic year, the Glidden Endowed Readership recipients are Nicole Jones Young, associate professor of organizational behavior, and Leanne Roncolato, associate professor of economics. Young, who came to F&M in 2016, researches criminal history and employment. She has done fieldwork in correctional institutions and explored work-release programs through the lens of gender. She also has analyzed the impact of training programs on equitable employment access among incarcerated women. Roncolato, who has taught at the College since 2014, is a labor economist who studies questions of power and identity among marginalized populations. Her research has focused on international trade, gender, the economics of the household, job quality and informal employment.In 1972, Robert Glidden and his business partner, James Bokor Sr., founded Robert-James Sales, a nationwide distributor specializing in stainless steel pipes, valves and fittings. Glidden also co-founded Trebor, Inc., an international distributor of tissue paper, pulp and containerboard. Sarah Glidden Kempson majored in accounting at F&M. As an undergraduate, Sarah was active in Alpha Phi and the Student Managed Investment Portfolio. Like her father, she went on to earn an MBA from SUNY Buffalo, which launched her career in finance. She was a hedge fund analyst at Goldman Sachs, as well as the business manager of a private school in Princeton, N.J. Today, she is the director of concierge services at Roundview Capital. “F&M shaped who I am,” Sarah said. “I value the liberal arts education I received because it taught me to think broadly. It prepared me to have a well-rounded career.” F&M President Barbara K. Altmann extended her thanks to the Gliddens for their commitment to supporting the high-level teaching and research taking place at their alma mater. “The world needs Diplomats, and no one is better positioned to accomplish that goal than Franklin & Marshall’s faculty,” Altmann said. “Our students are launched into successful careers and lives of meaning in large part due to our faculty’s teaching and mentoring. We are grateful for this gift from the Glidden family. Their foresight in supporting faculty scholarship, research and professional development helps us attract and retain outstanding professors.” Both Glidden graduates cherish their F&M education, remarkably similar experiences despite being 30 years apart. “F&M is a great school,” Bob said. “Students should enjoy their education and think about what they want to do for the rest of their life. They’re going to have false starts, but that’s OK. That's why you go to a liberal arts institution. You learn what you want to do and what you're good at, and you learn how to grow and keep learning.” “I agree,” Sarah said. “I took music and oceanography, but I majored in accounting. I feel like I got to experience it all!”

Which movies and podcasts do Franklin & Marshall College faculty and staff turn to when it’s time to unwind? Students begin spring break today, so we sought recommendations for the best media during downtime. Check out top picks from familiar faces at F&M, including several of this semester’s featured Common Hour speakers.  Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009, 20th Century Studios) From the producer: Devil-may-care Mr. Fox quits chicken-thieving to start a family with Mrs. Fox, but 12 years later, he leaves his columnist job to rob poultry from three mean farmers who devise a plan to trap Fox and others in the burrowing animal community. With his friends and neighbors, Fox saves his animal community and beats the farmers at their own game. Dan says: “Beautiful stop-motion animation with a heartwarming story and a great soundtrack. Animation isn't just for kids; trust me and indulge.”Podcast: People's Party with Talib Kweli, by Talib Kweli From the producer: A weekly interview show hosted by hip-hop legend Talib Kweli. The show features big-name guests exploring hip-hop, culture, and politics. David says: “Talib Kweli has intimate conversations with his peers that detail the ins and outs of their experiences in activism and the entertainment industries. As a music nerd myself, I enjoy hearing about artists' ways into the industry, and how they've navigated the ever-changing landscape of the music business. But, as a person always striving to impact my community, it's amazing to hear the paths activists have taken, as well as how they were able to build movements to make lasting change for their communities.”Podcast: The Memory Palace, by Nate DiMeo From the producer: A storytelling podcast and occasional radio segment created and produced by Nate DiMeo (former artist in residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) in 2008. Evan says: “With every episode running between five and 20 minutes, this non-serialized podcast on wonderful, weird and wholesome stories from our past is easily digestible and is sure to tug on your heartstrings. Two of my favorite episodes are episode 127 (No Summer) and episode 135 (Revolutions).”Podcast: The Great Women Artists Podcast, by Katy Hessel From the producer: Presented by art historian and curator Katy Hessel, The Great Women Artists Podcast interviews artists on their career, or curators, writers, or general art lovers, on the female artist who means the most to them. Katy is also the presenter of Dior Talks. Sandra says: “People want to think the arts field has reached greater parity than it actually has. Katy Hessel's incredibly entertaining interviews shed light on influential artists left out from the canon, and inspiring talks with artists today. This living archive of rebellious and intimate stories shows intersections between life and art, across class and culture. Katy Hessel is so passionate in her curiosity and need to uncover these stories – I listen to them in the studio, very addictive!” (For eye-opening facts about gender representation in the arts, visit the homepage of the National Museum of Women in the Arts).Podcast: American History Tellers, by Lindsay Graham From the producer: The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life – the words you speak, the ideas you share – can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? Amy says: “The podcast has dozens of seasons that tell the story of specific historical events. It's a combination of narration and dramatic retellings and the stories are captivating. I've learned so much about history I thought I knew, but had no idea about. My favorite one is about piracy – who knew the eye patch was actually a way for sailors to keep one pupil dilated so they could see better in the dark with that eye? The episodes are an easy listen, so it's a good podcast to have on when you're working on a project.”Documentary: Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World (2022, PBS) From the producer: Chuck D from Public Enemy explores hip-hop’s political awakening over the last 50 years. Gretchel says: “In four episodes, this truly shows how the brilliant musical culture of hip-hop, based around social events and social justice, impacted the history of many nations.” Movie: Black Panther (2018) & Wakanda Forever (2022) (Marvel) From the producer: Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. Gretchel says: “When you watch these movies back-to-back, you will see how brilliantly the second movie, Wakanda Forever, picked up on the nuances of the original Black Panther and weaved the themes through the movies.” Series: Finding Your Roots (2012-present, PBS) From the producer: Henry Louis Gates Jr. has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all. Gretchel says: ”You will have a better understanding around the concept of race being a social construct. You will also see the impact of finding one's roots and ancestry has on famous and popular individuals.”Movie: Clueless (1995, Paramount Movies) From the producer: Jane Austen might never have imagined that her 1816 novel, “Emma,” could be turned into a fresh and satirical look at ultra-rich teenagers in a Beverly Hills high school. Courtnee says: “Having grown up in California, I enjoy the satire. I also think it is such a cool snapshot in time, from the clothing to the catch-phrases and cultural references. It's like a ’90s version of Mean Girls.”Podcast: This Land, by Rebecca Nagle From the producer: How a string of custody battles over Native children became a federal lawsuit that threatens everything from tribal sovereignty to civil rights. Alison says: “Each season focuses on the backstory of a Supreme Court case related to Native American rights. This season is about a case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. The Court has heard the case, but has not yeMovie: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022, Searchlight Pictures) From the producer: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Amelia says: “It's got everything you might want for St. Patrick's Day: an Irish island in the 1920s, eccentric characters with unexplained grudges and affections, excellent wool sweaters, humor, drama, pathos and surprise. Drop everything and watch it!”Movie: Farha (2021, Picture Tree International) From the producer: Farha is a 14-year-old girl who lives in a small village in Palestine in 1948. Girls her age are traditionally married off or spoken for, yet Farha wants to continue her education despite traditions and the restrictions on schooling in her village for boys only. Adeem says: “It’s at once devastatingly beautiful and claustrophobically unsettling in the ways in which it filters the brutality of settler-colonial violence through the eyes of a young girl, challenging the audience constantly to rethink how our silent witnessing reveals our complicity in the sustenance and intensification of such projects.” Podcast: Bad Faith, by Briahnna Joy Gray From the producer: Bad Faith is two shows in one: a panel show about politics and pop culture with a rotating cast of performers and politicians, artists and activists, writers and radicals; and a two-way podcast where two people from two very different parts of the left make the case for one less terrible world. Adeem says: Former lawyer and former Bernie Sanders' communications and media manager Briahnna Joy Gray is a refreshing ray of historically informed, incisively thoughtful and profoundly empathetic sunshine amidst the morass of USian political media commentariat. She curates important conversations, twice a week, that really hone in on our (USian) place and role in the world today.

Which movies and podcasts do Franklin & Marshall College faculty and staff turn to when it’s time to unwind? Students begin spring break today, so we sought recommendations for the best media during downtime. Check out top picks from familiar faces at F&M, including several of this semester’s featured Common Hour speakers.  Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009, 20th Century Studios) From the producer: Devil-may-care Mr. Fox quits chicken-thieving to start a family with Mrs. Fox, but 12 years later, he leaves his columnist job to rob poultry from three mean farmers who devise a plan to trap Fox and others in the burrowing animal community. With his friends and neighbors, Fox saves his animal community and beats the farmers at their own game. Dan says: “Beautiful stop-motion animation with a heartwarming story and a great soundtrack. Animation isn't just for kids; trust me and indulge.”Podcast: People's Party with Talib Kweli, by Talib Kweli From the producer: A weekly interview show hosted by hip-hop legend Talib Kweli. The show features big-name guests exploring hip-hop, culture, and politics. David says: “Talib Kweli has intimate conversations with his peers that detail the ins and outs of their experiences in activism and the entertainment industries. As a music nerd myself, I enjoy hearing about artists' ways into the industry, and how they've navigated the ever-changing landscape of the music business. But, as a person always striving to impact my community, it's amazing to hear the paths activists have taken, as well as how they were able to build movements to make lasting change for their communities.”Podcast: The Memory Palace, by Nate DiMeo From the producer: A storytelling podcast and occasional radio segment created and produced by Nate DiMeo (former artist in residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) in 2008. Evan says: “With every episode running between five and 20 minutes, this non-serialized podcast on wonderful, weird and wholesome stories from our past is easily digestible and is sure to tug on your heartstrings. Two of my favorite episodes are episode 127 (No Summer) and episode 135 (Revolutions).”Podcast: The Great Women Artists Podcast, by Katy Hessel From the producer: Presented by art historian and curator Katy Hessel, The Great Women Artists Podcast interviews artists on their career, or curators, writers, or general art lovers, on the female artist who means the most to them. Katy is also the presenter of Dior Talks. Sandra says: “People want to think the arts field has reached greater parity than it actually has. Katy Hessel's incredibly entertaining interviews shed light on influential artists left out from the canon, and inspiring talks with artists today. This living archive of rebellious and intimate stories shows intersections between life and art, across class and culture. Katy Hessel is so passionate in her curiosity and need to uncover these stories – I listen to them in the studio, very addictive!” (For eye-opening facts about gender representation in the arts, visit the homepage of the National Museum of Women in the Arts).Podcast: American History Tellers, by Lindsay Graham From the producer: The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life – the words you speak, the ideas you share – can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? Amy says: “The podcast has dozens of seasons that tell the story of specific historical events. It's a combination of narration and dramatic retellings and the stories are captivating. I've learned so much about history I thought I knew, but had no idea about. My favorite one is about piracy – who knew the eye patch was actually a way for sailors to keep one pupil dilated so they could see better in the dark with that eye? The episodes are an easy listen, so it's a good podcast to have on when you're working on a project.”Documentary: Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World (2022, PBS) From the producer: Chuck D from Public Enemy explores hip-hop’s political awakening over the last 50 years. Gretchel says: “In four episodes, this truly shows how the brilliant musical culture of hip-hop, based around social events and social justice, impacted the history of many nations.” Movie: Black Panther (2018) & Wakanda Forever (2022) (Marvel) From the producer: Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. Gretchel says: “When you watch these movies back-to-back, you will see how brilliantly the second movie, Wakanda Forever, picked up on the nuances of the original Black Panther and weaved the themes through the movies.” Series: Finding Your Roots (2012-present, PBS) From the producer: Henry Louis Gates Jr. has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all. Gretchel says: ”You will have a better understanding around the concept of race being a social construct. You will also see the impact of finding one's roots and ancestry has on famous and popular individuals.”Movie: Clueless (1995, Paramount Movies) From the producer: Jane Austen might never have imagined that her 1816 novel, “Emma,” could be turned into a fresh and satirical look at ultra-rich teenagers in a Beverly Hills high school. Courtnee says: “Having grown up in California, I enjoy the satire. I also think it is such a cool snapshot in time, from the clothing to the catch-phrases and cultural references. It's like a ’90s version of Mean Girls.”Podcast: This Land, by Rebecca Nagle From the producer: How a string of custody battles over Native children became a federal lawsuit that threatens everything from tribal sovereignty to civil rights. Alison says: “Each season focuses on the backstory of a Supreme Court case related to Native American rights. This season is about a case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. The Court has heard the case, but has not yeMovie: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022, Searchlight Pictures) From the producer: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Amelia says: “It's got everything you might want for St. Patrick's Day: an Irish island in the 1920s, eccentric characters with unexplained grudges and affections, excellent wool sweaters, humor, drama, pathos and surprise. Drop everything and watch it!”Movie: Farha (2021, Picture Tree International) From the producer: Farha is a 14-year-old girl who lives in a small village in Palestine in 1948. Girls her age are traditionally married off or spoken for, yet Farha wants to continue her education despite traditions and the restrictions on schooling in her village for boys only. Adeem says: “It’s at once devastatingly beautiful and claustrophobically unsettling in the ways in which it filters the brutality of settler-colonial violence through the eyes of a young girl, challenging the audience constantly to rethink how our silent witnessing reveals our complicity in the sustenance and intensification of such projects.” Podcast: Bad Faith, by Briahnna Joy Gray From the producer: Bad Faith is two shows in one: a panel show about politics and pop culture with a rotating cast of performers and politicians, artists and activists, writers and radicals; and a two-way podcast where two people from two very different parts of the left make the case for one less terrible world. Adeem says: Former lawyer and former Bernie Sanders' communications and media manager Briahnna Joy Gray is a refreshing ray of historically informed, incisively thoughtful and profoundly empathetic sunshine amidst the morass of USian political media commentariat. She curates important conversations, twice a week, that really hone in on our (USian) place and role in the world today.

Do you know of any college seniors interested in making a difference in their first professional job and in mentoring others? Recommend the College Advising Corps in Pennsylvania! PCAC College Advisers engage high school students and their families throughout the career exploration and postsecondary planning processes. Advisers provide broad information about opportunities after high school, and assist students in figuring out college match and fit, revising essays, submitting financial aid applications, finding scholarships, and preparing for the transition to college. If you know of any seniors who might be interested in the position our application is now open! We anticipate 13-15 positions and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. Any questions, please reach out to Assistant Director, Heather Pearson,  hpearso1@fandm.edu.

As required by the Policy on College Policy Development and Management, the draft Business Expense Policy is now posted on the  College policy website and available for ten (10) business days of review and comment from the College community. A link to the comment form is also on the website. The Policy Owner, in consultation with the Committee on College Policy Development (CCPD), will take comments under advisement and implement any necessary changes to the draft policy based on the comments received. The proposed final draft will then be sent to President Barbara Altmann for approval. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Office of the General Counsel, fmpolicy@fandm.edu.

After a three-year odyssey in academic research, Franklin & Marshall College senior Therese Watkins' achievement is nearly homeric, worthy of seasoned scholars. Professor of Classics Zachary Biles, her co-author on work that an international journal will publish later this year, initially opened the assignment to every student in his class, but everyone declined. Except Watkins, a studio art major and, now, a classics major as well. “This all began in the spring of Therese's first year when she was enrolled in Latin 202,” Biles said.It actually began well before Watkins started studying Latin in middle school, and, in fact, centuries ago, when Homer, the Greek poet, wrote the "Iliad," and Catullus, the Roman poet, alluded to Homer's work in the poem that Watkins and Biles analyzed. Watkins embraced Biles' challenge to write a paper on Catullus' poem "37" (his poems are numbered, never named). “I do like the ‘Iliad’ as a story," she said, chuckling. "An easier answer would be that it is difficult to come up with paper ideas and topics sometimes, so having a paper offered to me was like ‘Why not? I’ll look into this.’" However, something happened along her research journey, which COVID-19 interrupted to some degree, that many liberal arts students experience at F&M. “I came here completely art-focused, but knew I would do other things, which is why I didn’t go to design school," Watkins said. "I really just wanted to continue Latin, but I didn’t think I’d be a classics major or even a minor." In Biles' Goethean Hall office, she relates how in Catullus's rather salacious poem 37  the poet-narrator uses military terms to berate a group of men in a tavern who are hanging out with his ex-girlfriend. "He addressed them as tent mates almost," she said. "He goes on later and talks about how he’s fought great wars for this girl, which could be seen as an allusion to the Trojan War in the ‘Iliad.’ He converts his imagined face-off with his love rivals as an actual battle.” She read a brief excerpt from the poem in which Watkins and Biles are the first scholars to recognize the allusion to a passage in Homer's work. Or, because 100 (or 200?) of you stupids sit in a line, you think that I would not dare to force you 200 sitters together to perform oral sex on me? “There are other numbers Catullus uses in other poems that he just throws out …  but he never uses 100 or 200 in combination like this. That same kind of combination exists in the passage of the ‘Iliad’ that we are looking at in Book 8," Watkins said. Moreover, she said, "In the ‘Iliad’ passage, the Greeks offer a similarly framed threat of vengeance against the Trojans for their theft of Helen, which is how the Trojan War began. This larger set of parallels allows Catullus to play off the Homeric background in an amusing way."