Members of Franklin & Marshall’s Class of 2019 graduated unaware the workforce they were about to enter would soon be turned upside down by a global pandemic. 

Equipped with liberal arts degrees and a broad set of foundational skills, they landed on their feet. Within six months after graduation, 97.5% of F&M’s 2019 graduates were either employed or continuing their education. This is notably higher than the national average, which is typically around 85%. Explore outcomes by career field and graduate school.

During True Blue Weekend, we spoke with a few 2019 alumni to reflect on the five years that have passed since receiving their Diplomat diplomas.

Members of the Class of 2019 gather at True Blue Weekend, held Oct. 5-6, 2024. (Photo by Eric Forberger)

What advice do you have for current F&M students now that you're five years out?

Lewis Sorokin ’19

• Technology lawyer at Wilftek
• City: Philadelphia
• Major: Cognitive science
• Minor: Music

“Find the people who stand for the things you stand for. Surround yourself with people who are going to build you up. It's all too difficult these days to fall into whatever's going on on campus, whether that's good, bad or ugly. Everyone comes in with a set of values that probably mean a little more to them than they want to let on. It's important to stick with that no matter when it gets hard.”

Vivian Valentin ’19

• Digital producer at Base Design
• City: Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Double major: Sociology and business, organizations & society

“Don't be afraid to make positive experiences. I was a first-generation college student, so I was definitely very guarded, very focused on school. But if you open yourself up to a lot of different experiences, you never know who you're going to meet. You never know what you're going to discover.”

Dhalia Suriel Tejada ’19

• Judicial law clerk at Superior Court of New Jersey
• Current city: Newark, N.J.
• Double major: French and government
• Minor: Spanish

“Enjoy their time as students. Live in the present now that they’re here. Also remember you’re only a student once in these four years. It’s important to live in the moment. But you don’t want to overextend yourself.”

Sofia Lopez Aguirre ’19

• Elementary teacher at Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) SoCal public schools
• Current city: Los Angeles
• Double major: Sociology and anthropology
• Minor: French

“Get to know your professors. Build a relationship with them.”

Dylan Grayson ’19

• Associate veterinarian at Boston Veterinary Clinic
• Current city: Boston
• Major: Biological foundations (animal behavior)

“Take advantage of the extracurriculars. Academics are obviously the most important thing, but if you don't branch out, it's very easy to get stuck in that. I have some lifelong friends that I made through extracurriculars. Some of us even started some clubs here. It was just such a great way to branch out. I got to do a little bit of everything. All of it has had a big impact on my life.”

Laura Green Grayson ’19

• Environmental chemist - scientist team lead in the semi-volatiles gas chromatography-mass spectrometry department at Pace Analytical
• Current city: Boston
• Major: Environmental sciences
• Minor: Environmental studies

“Take advantage of the liberal arts experience. If there are classes outside your major that sound interesting, go for it. Some of the best classes I took were not within my major. [For example], a sociology class I took in freshman year stuck with me all through college and beyond.”

In this April 2017 photo, Laura Grayson '19 learns how to climb a tree in front of Old Main. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Was there a space, group or person that made you feel like you belonged at F&M?

“For me, it was a couple of groups including the music department and Jewish Life (Hillel and Chabad). - Sorokin

“I really liked the College Houses (Bonchek), especially the common rooms. It was just a great space to meet people and it was very casual. One of my current roommates is actually from Bonchek (Horace Facey ’19).” - Valentin

“First-generation Diplomats and Mi Gente Latina. That’s where I met most of my friends.”- Tejada

“College Houses (Bonchek); that’s where I found my roommates. Mi Gente Latina and Phi Sigma Pi.” - Lopez Aguirre

“I'll have to shout out to my wife, Laura, also class of 2019!” - Dylan Grayson

“We lived two doors down from one another in Ware College House our first year and have been together ever since.” (The couple wed in September 2024) - Laura Grayson