Opening new horizons of learning and service is a principal part of preparing students to take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and our global society. While the classroom remains central to providing the firm intellectual grounding necessary for post-graduate study or professional success, F&M also offers a wealth of opportunities — from African dance to water polo — for students to explore independently their favorite topics and share their knowledge, talents, and abilities. More than three-quarters of F&M students participate in community service, contributing annually nearly 70,000 hours of volunteer effort on behalf of local nonprofit organizations.