F&M Stories
Campus Celebrates Solar Eclipse
It’s not every day you catch a cosmic phenomenon between classes.
Franklin & Marshall students did just that Monday, witnessing the country’s last total solar eclipse until 2044.
“It's really cool that it's here on campus. Last time, I had to travel to go see it,” said junior Bryce Roach, who traveled from his hometown of Warrington, Pa., to catch the 2017 eclipse in North Carolina.
Roach was joined by fellow ultimate frisbee teammates on Hartman Green, where students, faculty and staff gathered to catch the partial eclipse. F&M’s Physics Club hosted a table with viewing glasses and a Sun Spotter, a tabletop device that tracked the progress of the eclipse.
Others watched from the observing deck of Hackman Physical Sciences Laboratories. Nearby, the North Museum hosted a day of eclipse-themed activities.
As the moon's shadow swept from Texas to Maine, Lancaster received a partial eclipse. It began in Lancaster at 2:06 p.m, peaked at 3:22 p.m. with 91% of the sun blocked by the moon, and ended at 4:34 p.m. Learn more in this series of eclipse videos by Ryan Trainor, associate professor of physics and astronomy.
Cloudy conditions didn’t dim the spirits of cosmic revelers, who let out a collective cheer whenever the sun reappeared.
“This is the first time I've ever seen an eclipse,” said first-year Steven Taveras, of Miami.
Related Articles
November 9, 2026
From Lancaster Streams to Canadian Lakes: Stephanie Sexton ’27 Puts Science into Action
When she arrived at F&M, Stephanie Sexton ’27 knew she wanted to study environmental science and engage in hands-on fieldwork. This summer, she turned that ambition into action, helping drive cutting-edge initiatives in F&M’s backyard while contributing to a multi-year research project abroad.
October 26, 2026
Franklin & Marshall College Partners with Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering to Create Pathways into Advanced Graduate Programs
Franklin & Marshall College and Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering have announced a new educational partnership, opening direct pathways for F&M students into high-demand graduate programs in engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
September 23, 2026
F&M Joins Project Pericles, Amplifying Community Partnerships in Lancaster
Franklin & Marshall has been selected to join Project Pericles, an honor that underscores the College’s commitment to fostering meaningful impact in its home city of Lancaster.