Dear F&M Community,
Today, we are pleased to announce that F&M's Green Room Theatre will be rededicated as the James Lapine Theater in 2027, a tribute to one of F&M’s most decorated and accomplished performing arts alums. James Lapine '71 is a giant of the theater. He has authored and directed dozens of plays and musicals for the stage and is especially well known for his Broadway musicals written with Stephen Sondheim. Mr. Lapine's notable directing and writing credits are Into the Woods, Passion, and Falsettos, each of which earned him a Tony Award. He and Sondheim were also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985 for Sunday in the Park with George.
It is a privilege for us to create the James Lapine Theater at F&M, and it is made possible, in part, by a new $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, which will support a significant renovation of the existing performance space and provide programmatic support for theatre and dance performances and events. Mr. Lapine has agreed to exhibit his Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prize in the new James Lapine Theater as part of a small exhibit about his life.
Meanwhile, last weekend, we celebrated the 40 year career of Brian Norcross as the conductor of orchestral ensembles. More than 300 alumni, parents, and friends joined us for concerts, talks, fellowship, and fun. Congratulations to Brian. He leaves an extraordinary legacy at F&M.
Warm regards,
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A Transformative Investment in the Performing Arts: Honoring Broadway Legend James Lapine '71
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Franklin & Marshall College is pleased to announce that the Green Room Theatre will be rededicated as the James Lapine Theater, a tribute to one of F&M’s most decorated and accomplished performing arts alumni. James Lapine '71 is one of our nation’s most gifted authors, playwrights, and directors. The updated theater will be a place for current and future Diplomats who dream of bringing their own visions to stage and screen, and the renovation of the theater is made possible, in part, by an anonymous pledge of $1 million, which will restore and enhance the space before its rededication in 2027.
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Music Anniversaries Bring Hundreds of Alumni, Parents to Campus for Historic Performances
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More than 300 alumni, parents and friends returned to campus for an incredible weekend of music. F&M’s beloved Professor Brian Norcross capped off 40 years of service while conducting students, alumni and community members in concerts that celebrated 90 years of the F&M Band and 40 years of the F&M Orchestra.
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F&M Mock Trial Transforms Real-World Learning into Victory
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After triumphing at the 2026 Penn State Mock Trial Regional Tournament, F&M Mock Trial advanced to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Opening Round Championship Series in Hamilton, Ohio. For team captain Richardson “Richie” Dockery ’26, leading the mock trial team to victory meant transforming academic theory into tangible achievement.
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Seat at the Table: Students Work Alongside National Polling Experts on the F&M Poll
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A team of Franklin & Marshall students led by faculty mentors – Stephen Medvic, The Honorable and Mrs. John C. Kunkel Professor of Government, and Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Opinion Research – have an opportunity that undergraduate students rarely get: to analyze data from the F&M Poll, write sections of a polling report distributed to national and international journalists and political experts, and take a hand in crafting the wording of questions for the F&M Poll, a nationally recognized source for political opinion research.
The F&M Poll regularly gains publicity in a wide array of national and regional media, including the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, PoliticsPA, and NPR.
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James Conway ’26 Concludes Historic Wrestling Career
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Franklin & Marshall wrestling captain James Conway ’26 left it all on the mat at last weekend’s NCAA Division I Championships to conclude one of the most decorated careers in school history. He’ll graduate with 108 wins and is the only Elite 90 Award recipient in school history. What’s next? Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, where he’ll put his biochemistry and molecular biology degree to practice.
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Gary Lewis ’26 Takes Part in NFL Pro Day at Philadelphia Eagles Facility
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Team captain of the Franklin & Marshall Football team Gary Lewis ’26 was invited to participate in an NFL Pro Day at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Indoor Facility on March 9. The senior wide receiver helped take the Diplomats to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and was named Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year. NFL Pro Days give eligible players a chance to demonstrate their skills to coaches, scouts, and general managers ahead of the NFL draft.
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Student-Designed Map Shows Best Spots in
Lancaster City
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With so much to explore in Lancaster, where do students start? A new map created by An N. Bach ’26 with support from Gabe Rodriguez ’26 showcases favorite spots recommended by F&M students.
The map features over a dozen stores, restaurants, and coffee shops, organized to indicate the length of time to get to each location and brought to life with Bach’s illustrations. Find paper copies of the map in locations across campus, or download a digital copy on the F&M website.
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F&M Student Honored at National Conference for Communications Experts
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Franklin & Marshall College student Sekou Cherif ’26 was named the 2026 CUPRAP Student Catalyst Fellow, a recognition of exceptional promise by an undergraduate in writing, social media engagement, video and audio production, graphic design, journalism and related fields. Cherif, a film and media arts major and economics minor, was praised for his creative portfolio, with particular attention received for short films he created in his F&M coursework.
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A Campus Committed to Safety: F&M Earns It's On Us PA Grant for Third Consecutive Year
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For the third consecutive year, Franklin & Marshall has been awarded a grant through the It’s On Us PA grant program. Supported by Governor Josh Shapiro and education leaders, the statewide campaign invites Pennsylvanians to join in the work of protecting students from sexual violence.
“This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating a safe and respectful campus environment for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Sam Thiry, F&M director of wellness programs. “Over the last two years, this funding has empowered us to make significant strides regarding sexual violence prevention and awareness.”
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- Presidential Inauguration | Saturday, April 11
The presidential Inauguration will feature a formal investiture ceremony at 11:00 am, followed by a campus luncheon. The celebration coincides with the Spring Research Fair, Admitted Student Weekend, and other academic and social events.
- 239th Commencement | Saturday, May 9
F&M will celebrate graduates of the Class of 2026 at Commencement, held at 10:00 am in the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. Tickets are required for entry. Watch the ceremony LIVE to celebrate the Class of 2026 and hear remarks from the 2026 Commencement speaker, NFL executive and former cornerback Troy Vincent Sr.
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Thomas Reilly ’27 has made volunteer work and community service a central part of his F&M experience—and recently helped organize an event that raised $30,000 for childhood cancer research.
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