F&M Stories

Home / Commencement / Commencement Archive / Commencement 2016 / Franklin & Marshall – Senior Spotlight: Inspired by Seeing the Obstacles Others Have Overcome

Senior Spotlight: Inspired by Seeing the Obstacles Others Have Overcome

As they prepare for their May 7 Commencement Ceremony, Franklin & Marshall seniors look back at their four years on campus—and what's next.

Name: Cameron Rutledge '16

Major: Chemistry

Hometown: Miami, Fla.

Activities at F&M: Member of Miami STEM Posse 1, IMPACT, Black Student Union, Benjamin Rush Medical Honor Society, Rho Alpha Sigma, Hall Adviser and Orientation Planning Director in Brooks College House, Class Representative on the Brooks College House Congress, Chemistry preceptor, F&M College Prep facilitator, Next Generation Initiative peer mentor, Squash ACES mentor

What was your most memorable moment or time at F&M? Annually, the brothers of IMPACT go on a retreat to Black Rock. It's a great bonding experience as we get to participate in a ropes course while learning one another's stories. It has been my honor to learn the obstacles many of my closest friends have overcome to be here at F&M today. Being at Black Rock with these individuals who have overcome so much pushes me to overcome my own fears, work as a team and be a better person. It has truly been inspiring and life changing.

What did you enjoy most about the College? I loved meeting new people from all over the nation and all around the world. College was a space where we could all come together and learn from one another. I enjoyed the personal growth that came out of meeting new people, sharing and creating new experiences.

What are your plans for after graduation? I will spend a year in South Africa (Cape Town and Khayelitsha) as an intern with the Christopher T. Campbell Foundation, implementing youth development programs that incorporate life lessons and soccer.

Related Articles

August 21, 2025

Darij Kulchyckyj ’24 Maps Blueprint for Success

Darij Kulchyckyj ’24 wanted to merge his passions for math, music and the environment. F&M’s liberal arts approach helped him do just that. Now an environmental consultant at an engineering firm, Kulchyckyj also hit a major milestone in his music career thanks to a grant from F&M.

August 18, 2025

Haunah Thomas '27 Reaches for the Stars in Writing and Research

A love of science fiction inspired Haunah Thomas ’27 to choose a college where she could get hands-on research experience in astrophysics while still pursuing her creative passions.

August 15, 2025

Exploring Ancient Worlds to Shape Her Future

Navigating career exploration with courage and curiosity — that’s the Diplomat way. This summer, Katherine Briggs ’26 dove into her zeal for classical archaeology by interning at the Near Eastern Collections, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.