Franklin & Marshall College

Founded in 2005 as South Benjamin Franklin House, and renamed Bonchek College House in 2007, our House has always been active and vibrant. Our House was

• the first House at Franklin & Marshall to hold regular bagel breakfasts,
• the first with a House web page (designed by Thomas Ternan ’08)
• the first with a House crest (designed by Jay Hembling ’09)
• the first to ratify a House Constitution (February 13, 2006, written by Vince Lombardozzi ’08, Mariyah Salem ’07, Shane Sunday ’08, and Thomas Ternan ’08),
• the first to elect a House government (March 6, 2006),
• the first House to put on its own theatrical production (“Les No Longer Miserables”, September 2008).

Currently, Bonchek College House has two main buildings: South Benjamin Franklin residence hall, and the east side of Weis residence hall.

Our House mascots are the pair of red-tailed hawks that live on campus and eviscerate squirrels on our balconies. Our House symbol is the lantern (and every year, a mysterious group of upperclassmen dress in academic robes and masks, running through the halls to deliver lanterns to our first year students).

Our House has developed several traditions that involve the larger community as well, including

Community Outreach Dinner

In the fall of 2005, First Year Roommates Ian Lubetkin and Rob Fleisher pondered what to do with their unused guest meals. They decided to host the Community Outreach Dinner, which immediately became a House tradition. This event brings 150-200 people from local shelters to campus for a catered, sit-down meal, twice a year.

You Stay Classy F&M Ball

Pharyl Weiner '06 decided her senior year that the newly formed House system needed to do right by the College and host a HUGE dance! She went to all four Houses asking if anyone was interested, and South Ben House said YES! This dance, held yearly on Hartman Green, attracts 400+ people and is the largest House-sponsored dance at F&M. The Classy Ball won the 2007 Presidents Award (Entertainment Event).

Lantern Night

The Lantern Legionnaires are a secret society within Bonchek College House who dress in black academic robes, masks, and gaudy jewelry; they run through the halls of our House yelling Happy Lantern Night! and delivering lanterns to our First Year Students. Nobody, no, not even the don, knows who they are. So don't ask.

Zombies vs Humans

Sophia Volpi '07 decided in her senior year to give a parting gift to her House. She approached her don, Professor Crannell, and cautioned, "this will seem a little odd . . ."  Its been odd, but popular: In the first year, Zombies vs. Humans had 128 players, and it raised $1,032 for the Hershey Neuroscience Center. Bonchek House has continued the "Eat a brain; save a brain" game of tag every spring since then.

Lounge redecoration

Late in fall 2006, a quiet freshman approached her don to see if she could get new furniture for an "armpit of a lounge." Crannell helped Erica D'Eramo '10 get a tour of the warehouse, where they discovered 1950s style diner furniture . . . and the Dips Diner was born! Erica got all of 3rd Atlee and 3rd Dubbs involved in transforming the space into one of the most congenial spaces in our House.

Bonchek Cultural Events

Bonchek House supports the arts at F&M.  For selected performances, Bonchek students can attend for a specially discounted price, sometimes for free.

Dump N Run

Dont trash it! Donate it! Bonchek House sponsors Dump-N-Run, which turns leftover stuff into help for the Lancaster community. At the end of the school year, we collect things that students dont want to cart back home; we sell them at a giant community yard sale and donate all proceeds to local charities or organizations.

D-wards Day

At the end of the year, the rest of the College hands out Awards to our best and our brightest. Bonchek instead hands out D-wards to our . . . well, to the people who earned them. These humorous certificates help us retell the story of what happens in the House. Past D-wards include the "Okay, you can stop taking those overcoming shyness" D-ward, the "Hair Lust D-ward", and the "Best Lie Down Comic" D-ward, among many others.