Dear F&M Community,

Today, we are pleased to announce that Matthew N. DesChamps '93, P’28 will be the next chair of the Board of Trustees of Franklin & Marshall College. Matt has been a member of the board since 2014. The board elected him as chair-elect in May, and he will assume the role of board chair on July 1, 2026. I met Matt during the presidential search last winter, and we have since developed a close partnership and alignment on the opportunities and priorities for F&M. I am excited to work together on F&M's next chapter. 

We also share news today of a gift from Kenneth B. Mehlman '88, a member of F&M's Board of Trustees, to support a leadership program that will create new opportunities for students. Ken's support for what we are calling the ‘Leadership & Performance Lab at F&M’ will enable us to develop a business plan for the initiative in the coming months. His gift will also support pilot programs for students in leadership, the entrepreneurial mindset, and civic engagement. My sincere thanks to Ken for his investment and leadership at F&M.

Last month, True Blue Weekend set records in attendance. It was great to see so many alumni, parents, families, and friends on campus. I look forward to seeing many more of you this month at games, matches, performances, and events.

Best wishes,

Andrew Rich
President

Ken Mehlman ’88 Gift Creates Pathway for Leadership & Performance Lab at F&M

A $500,000 gift from Kenneth Mehlman '88, Franklin & Marshall College Trustee and Board Vice Chair, will fund the development and pilot of a new Leadership & Performance Lab at F&M. The gift will support the development of a business plan for the Lab in the current academic year. Once launched, the Lab will equip students with essential skills in leadership, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Mehlman is a partner at global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and widely recognized for his leadership in government, business and philanthropy. He credits F&M with providing outstanding academic and leadership experiences that shaped his career. Now, he’s paving the way for future Diplomats to lead and perform at the highest level.

Matt DesChamps ’93, P’28 Named F&M Board Chair-Elect

Franklin & Marshall College is pleased to announce that Matt DesChamps ’93, P’28 has been elected to become the next chair of the F&M Board of Trustees. His three-year term as Board chair will begin July 1, 2026. DesChamps, a founding partner at Kepos Capital, L.P., in New York City, has been a Trustee since 2014.

“My motivation in becoming a Trustee was to use my professional experience to support F&M's mission and liberal arts education,” DesChamps said. “As chair-elect, I want to ensure a seamless transition and build a productive partnership with our new president, Andy Rich.”

Henry Lunger '28 Blazes Trail Toward Career in Medicine

Henry Lunger ’28 won’t officially declare his major until the spring, but he’s already gained experience and earned certifications that will set him apart as he pursues a career in medicine. Lunger spent part of his summer completing a 200-hour EMT and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course in Lander, Wyoming, providing him with immediate skills and hands-on experience in a medical setting.

Faculty Research Uncovers Vanished Refugee Colony

In the true spirit of the liberal arts, conversations with colleagues across campus about the issue of forced migration led F&M professor Kostis Kourelis on a research journey to discover the location of a lost refugee settlement known as Washingtonia—a community that housed over 200 families displaced during the 1821-1829 Greek War of Independence. The settlement’s exact location had become a mystery, until now.

F&M Recognized for Undergraduate Research

Franklin & Marshall is one of only 40 liberal arts colleges—out of roughly 200 in the United States—to be classified as a “Research College” by Carnegie. 

The 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions’ new “Research Colleges and Universities” designation recognizes research activity at institutions that primarily focus on undergraduate education and spend at least $2.5 million annually on research.

While most undergraduate institutions reserve research opportunities for students in their graduate programs, at F&M, our students actively engage in research right away. Approximately 550 F&M students participate in research, internships, and service projects in Lancaster and the surrounding area each year, and nearly a quarter of students received funding to engage in research across all disciplines in summer 2025.

F&M invited dozens of employers from near and far to the annual True Blue Internship & Career Fair. The event provides opportunities for students to gain insight into career paths, network within their fields, and learn about internship and job opportunities—and gives companies and organizations the chance to recruit exceptionally talented students.

Franklin & Marshall reclaimed the Smith-Herr Boot trophy by defeating the Elizabethtown College men's soccer team 1-0 at Tylus Field earlier this fall. Team leaders Sean Lipshutz and Miguel Rosa stopped by the Office of the President to share the story of their exciting victory for F&M!

Every October, Raise Our Game unites student-athletes and their fans as we conduct our annual campaign in support of Diplomat Athletics. Your generosity fuels all 28 teams, providing the tools, training and opportunities necessary to compete with the best. Make your gift now and demonstrate your support for today's Diplomats.

Franklin & Marshall College is embarking on an exciting journey: developing a new mascot that reflects the heart of our community and the spirit of the Diplomat.

Since arriving, President Rich has heard from students, faculty, staff, and alumni that we need a mascot that embodies our identity, brings energy to campus events, and builds a sense of pride and belonging. He couldn’t agree more—and this fall, our F&M Mascot Working Group will take up that challenge.

Community voices will be essential to this process. Throughout the semester, students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be invited to share feedback through forums, surveys, and events. We also encourage you to share your ideas online.

F&M is committed to providing ongoing opportunities to practice communication, conflict resolution, and mutual understanding. Now in its second year of use at F&M, the Perspectives program from the Constructive Dialogue Institute provides research-backed principles and tools to help students learn how to navigate challenging conversations with confidence, respect, and sensibility.

“The Perspectives platform empowers F&M students to lean into curiosity, listen with empathy, and engage across differences—skills that not only strengthen our community but also prepare them to lead with wisdom and courage,” said Drew Stelljes, Vice President for Student Affairs.

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