The ampersand in the middle of our College’s name symbolizes the rich space of possibility that awaits students at F&M. Meaning “both/and,” the ampersand is the purpose—and the power—of the liberal arts: recognizing and forming connections between things that at first glance don’t seem to go together.

What you care for most is what you influence. Esther Burlington ’27 is making an impact as both a singer and pre-medical student at Franklin & Marshall. 

Burlington grew up with a passion for singing, but wanted to set her academic focus on STEM courses. At F&M, she can do both. 

“I didn't want to major in music, but I wanted to keep it a part of my life,” said Burlington, a biochemistry and molecular biology major.

In between laboratory sessions and serving as a first-year advising mentor (FAM) for the Class of 2029, Burlington is co-president of The Poor Richards, the College’s longest-standing a cappella group. 

Burlington, who hails from North Carolina, was a decade-long member of Charlotte Children’s Choir, a nationally acclaimed ensemble.

Music runs in her family. Burlington’s parents are classically trained singers who have made a career out of music. Her brothers sing as well. 

“Poor Richards is really feeding that music passion,” said Burlington, who joined the ensemble in her second semester on campus. 

"I knew that I wanted a small liberal arts college... Professors definitely expect a lot of you, which I appreciate."

Esther Burlington '27

The group gathers three times a week to rehearse in Room B-11 — a space that visiting Poor Richards alumni still ask to visit — in the depths of Steinman College Center. 

“I've never thought of it as this intense time commitment. I love doing it,” she said. 

In true liberal arts fashion, many of the a cappella members balance music while pursuing diverse academic fields. 

“We do have a lot of music minors come through. But we’ve had American studies, computer science, psychology, government, math,” Burlington said. 

During her college search, Burlington sat in on STEM courses with Yasmin Nicholas ’24, a Poor Richards alum. The experience solidified her choice to attend F&M. 

“I knew I wanted to get out of the South. I knew that I wanted a small liberal arts college,” she said. 

“It’s very rigorous here. The classes are hard. The workload is a lot. The professors definitely expect a lot of you, which I appreciate,” said Burlington, who feels confidently prepared to pursue a career as a doctor. 

Her inspiration?

“I loved ‘Grey's Anatomy’ when I was younger,” she said. But it wasn’t the television series’ plotlines that Burlington was drawn to. 

“I loved listening to the actual science in ‘Grey's Anatomy,’” she said. Biology classes piqued her interest even further, and shadowing a pediatrician last summer confirmed her passion to pursue medicine. 

“I loved it,” Burlington said. “I did one session and I was like, ‘That’s it. That’s what I want to do.’”

Listen to The Poor Richards’ most recent recording on Spotify (Feb. 2025). 

Esther Burlington ’27 is co-president of The Poor Richards, F&M's a cappella group and one of the College's oldest continuously operating student clubs.

Esther Burlington ’27 attends human anatomy and physiology class with Robert Jinks, professor of biology. (Photo by Deb Grove)

“Poor Richards is really feeding that music passion,” said Burlington, who grew up singing for the nationally acclaimed Charlotte Children’s Choir.

Esther Burlington ’27 and Professor Robert Jinks observe an oscilloscope. The machine measures and visualizes electrical activity of the body, such as heartbeats and brainwaves. (Photo by Deb Grove)

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