F&M Stories
Your Core is 'The Source of Your Passion,' Speaker Tells Graduates
Franklin & Marshall College alumna Dr. Rahel Nardos '97, director of global health for Oregon Health & Science University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, offered graduates at F&M's May 12 Commencement a perspective on her experiences growing up poor in Ethiopia.
"They were responsible for making me who I am today, what I chose to care about, how I define success, and how hard I am willing to work for it," said Nardos, who supports a women's health program in sub-Saharan Africa."What experiences shape your internal compass? What speaks to you at your core? Take time to find the answers to these questions," she told the Class of 2019. "They will be the source of your passion, your fulfillment and your resilience in the face of obstacles."
Robed in black, 540 students — including 94 international students from 28 countries and 97 first-generation students, crossed Hartman Green on a bright, blue, breezy day to ascend the stage where F&M President Barbara Altmann presented the graduates with their hard-earned baccalaureates.
View the highlights of a day that celebrated achievement:
Related Articles
August 7, 2025
Binayak Jha ’27 Dives Into Finance Fundamentals at Wharton Academy
At F&M, Binayak Jha ’27 found a place to explore his passions—and the support to pursue educational opportunities off campus. This summer, the computer science and mathematics major attended the Wharton Academy, an immersive business program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
August 5, 2025
Nicolas Rios ’23 Brings the Liberal Arts to Goldman Sachs
“At F&M, I wasn’t just learning what to think—I was learning how to think,” said Nicolas Rios ’23. “That ability to analyze, adapt and connect ideas across disciplines has been incredibly valuable in the workforce.” Rios, a business, organizations and society graduate, is now an analyst at Goldman Sachs.
July 31, 2025
Mia Feola ’27 Unleashes Her Potential
Mia Feola ’27 has always felt a calling to work with animals. This summer, she interned at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC), an organization dedicated to training working dogs. “Interning for the PVWDC has opened doors for me to explore the world of working dogs and explore this new sector in dog training that I never thought of before,” Feola said.