F&M Stories
Why Give? Five Inspiring Stories
Like a ripple in a pond, one financial gift can change the academic trajectory for Franklin & Marshall students and those that follow them. As the 2023-2024 fiscal year comes to a close, explore five recent stories that showcase the philanthropic spirit of Diplomats worldwide.
1. Attorney's Passion Paves Way for Students
An F&M grant enabled Karla Avelino 鈥�01 to return to her Central American birth country and discover a passion for immigration law. A founding partner of Roger and Avelino law firm, she鈥檚 now paving the way for current and future students to find their potential.
2. Diplomat Leadership Program: Latest Steinman Foundation Initiative to Benefit F&M
Students
Over many decades, The Steinman Foundation, one of the most prominent grant-making charitable organizations in Lancaster County, has supported programs that provide opportunities for Franklin & Marshall students and benefit the broader community. Now, those opportunities have expanded with the Diplomat Leadership program.
3. Unleashing Dreams: Alethia Batchelder 鈥�24
Meet Alethia Batchelder, a recently graduated animal behavior studies major from Maine. Her F&M journey is possible thanks to the support of the Arthur W. and Stella M. Choney Endowed Scholarship Fund.
4. Robert Mullins '91: Grateful for F&M
How do you show appreciation for an institution that worked with you through a life threatening illness to get your degree in four years? If you鈥檙e Robert 鈥淩ob鈥� Mullins 鈥�91, you give back to that organization in every way you can. 鈥淔ranklin & Marshall College helped, and helped, and then helped some more,鈥� Mullins recalls.
5. A New Generation of F&M Philanthropists
Lara Gillingham '23 and Hope Petralia '24, previous chairs of the Student Giving Committee, have one message: Diplomats do not need to wait until they graduate to start giving back to their school.
Could you be the next featured story?
From financial gifts to volunteering time and expertise, there are many ways to give at F&M. Explore how to give.
Donors inspire excellence at Franklin & Marshall College by supporting students, faculty
and research that benefits the entire F&M community and beyond.Giving at F&M
Related Articles
May 14, 2026
Reflections on Leadership: Board Chair Eric Noll 鈥�83, P鈥�09
Eric Noll鈥檚 relationship with F&M began on a gorgeous spring day in 1978. Almost 50 years later, the alumnus will complete his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees on June 30. 鈥淔&M continues to evolve, but its core values have remained the same,鈥� Noll says. 鈥淚鈥檇 say, without apologies, that serving as Board Chair for this college is one of the great honors of my life.鈥�
May 11, 2026
鈥極wn That Achievement,鈥� NFL Pro Tells Class of 2026 Graduates
Members of the Class of 2026 completed their undergraduate journeys May 9 at 糖心鈥檚 239th Commencement. 鈥淵ou navigated uncertainty, global disruption, and a world that refused to slow down,鈥� said NFL great Troy Vincent, this year鈥檚 speaker.
May 8, 2026
Class of 2026 Celebrates Four-Year Journey with Lux et Lex Walk
On May 8, students bookended their college journey with the Lux et Lex walk, which they first completed as incoming students. Members of the campus community gathered to cheer for students as they passed under the Lux et Lex arch on Klauder-Apple walkway and celebrated with a champagne toast on Harris Patio.