Dear F&M Community,
Today, I am pleased to share news of the largest cumulative gift in the College's history to support student financial aid – $10 million from Art Clark, Jr.
Art's dad went to F&M and finished his degree in 1934 thanks to the College's ability to support him with financial aid through difficult personal circumstances. Art's support, which includes gifts over nearly 20 years, will do the same for future generations. I met with Art in North Carolina last month. He is a visionary, and I want to thank him for his landmark support of the College. His gifts represent an exceptional investment in ensuring F&M's affordability.
We also share news today of new leadership programs for students applying to be part of the F&M Class of 2030. The programs pair students with scholarships, mentorship, special instruction, and cohort-based living experiences. Developed this fall in order to be launched in Fall 2026, the programs are proving to be enormously popular choices for prospective students. We are happy to share details about them with the whole community, as they reflect some of the core areas of strength for the College.
I finish my first semester as president with gratitude for the kindness that so many of you have extended to me in my first months at F&M. I look forward to 2026 with optimism.
Happy holidays,
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Art Clark, Jr. Reaches $10 Million in Support for Financial Aid at F&M
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Arthur R. “Art” Clark, Jr.’s philanthropy, intended to honor his father’s experience as an F&M student and graduate, has resulted in $10 million in cumulative gifts to support student scholarships and financial aid, with $2.8 million contributed this year alone. In recognition of his generosity, Clark was inducted this fall into F&M’s Kite & Key Circle, which honors F&M’s most generous philanthropists.
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F&M Leadership Fellows Prepares Future-Ready Leaders
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At Franklin & Marshall, a highly personalized academic experience serves as a launchpad for lifelong leadership through the new Franklin & Marshall Leadership Fellows program. These fellowships, which will launch next fall, exemplify the College’s commitment to supporting students’ development as leaders through focused training and a four-year merit scholarship of $15,000 per year. Prospective students are encouraged to apply.
These fellowships are for students who are curious, motivated, and eager to make a positive and immediate impact in the fields of climate and sustainability, creative writing, entrepreneurship, and public service:
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- Chesapeake Watershed Leadership Fellows
- Creative Writing & Cultural Leadership Fellows
- Future Founders Leadership Fellows
- Public Service Leadership Fellows
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Research Club Kickstarts Students’ Science Careers
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At Franklin & Marshall, a distinctive opportunity for hands-on learning gives students the chance to participate in collaborative research as early as their second week on campus. The Nanobots Research Club meets weekly and aims to help students interested in STEM research connect with each other, while teaching them how to use computational chemistry tools.
“As I was trying to navigate how to get involved with research on campus, Nanobots stood out as a welcoming and accessible way to enter the research space,” said Hannah Talesnik ’26, co-president of the club (pictured).
Students in Nanobots also get to make tangible contributions to the scientific community through their work. Seven members of the club were co-authors on a paper published in The Journal of Inorganic Chemistry.
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A Diplomat’s Deep Dive into Marine Biology
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Jaeyun An ’26 dove headfirst into the philosophy of learning by doing, spending a semester in the turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos researching the island’s diverse marine life. An, who plans to pursue an advanced degree in marine biology, split his semester between learning about topics in class and putting them into practice through field exercises while snorkeling.
“At F&M, I learned skills in the lab and developed a research-oriented mindset,” An said. “At Turks and Caicos, I applied those skills and continued to refine my scientific thinking.”
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F&M Community Celebrates End of Semester
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The F&M community gathered to celebrate during the Lighting of Old Main and Flapjack Fest on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in the Lancaster community attended the grand reveal of Old Main’s holiday lights, which included hot chocolate and snacks at Shadek-Fackenthal Library and music from WFNM on Manning Alumni Green. Following the event, Flapjack Fest offered a finals week study break for students, with F&M faculty and professional staff serving students a meal in the Dining Hall.
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Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Mary Kate Salko '01, Chris Salko, and Caroline Boehm were named the All-Centennial Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. It marks the third time Mary Kate Salko has earned the award as head coach, having previously won the honor in 2012 and 2018.
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Vassilis Coutifaris ’09 visited campus as part of the Center for Career and Professional Development’s Alumni Lead series to share how F&M’s liberal arts education prepared him for a successful career in diplomacy and business.
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As we approach the close of the calendar year, I invite alumni, parents and friends to join me and make a gift in support of Franklin & Marshall College. Each contribution, at any level, strengthens the hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and research opportunities that define the F&M experience and prepare our students to lead lives of impact. Your support fuels this collective effort, ensuring that today’s Diplomats can make a meaningful difference on campus, in Lancaster and far beyond.
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