Common Hour

Common Hour is an unique and inclusive program that brings the F&M community together during the academic year, for culturally and intellectually enriching events. It is the only regularly scheduled event that unites students, faculty and staff, and the larger Lancaster community.

Fall 2025 Events

Common Hour enables the Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster communities to gather for culturally and academically enriching events at midday on selected Thursdays during the academic year. This opportunity to engage in a campus-wide dialogue originates with Common Hour and then extends beyond the confines of that time into classrooms, house commons, dining halls and beyond. These are vital international, national, local and institutional issues that are relevant to all.

September 11, 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium in Kaufman Hall
Leading at F&M
F&M President Andrew Rich and Diplomatic Congress President Caroline Riegel ’26

September 25, 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium in Kaufman Hall
When Math Moves: The Intersection of Motion, Machines and Creativity
Mili Shah, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Mathematics at the Cooper Union

Proposed by: Annalisa Crannell, Carmie L. and Beatrice J. Creitz Emerita Professor of Mathematics
Sponsors: Computer Science, Mathematics, Pre-Engineering Advising, Instructional and Emerging Technologies, the National Science Foundation

October 23, 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium in Kaufman Hall
Hooking Up: Carefree Sex or Sex without Care?
Lisa Wade, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology at Occidental College, Sociologist, and Author of author of American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus

Proposed by: Carey Faulkner, Associate Professor of Sociology
Sponsor: Sociology

Watch Online

Can't make it to Common Hour in person? We record some of our Common Hour events and make them available for you to watch whenever you're able.

View Events from 2024-25 »