F&M Stories

F&M Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

For the third consecutive year, Franklin & Marshall College has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. 

As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — F&M will be featured, along with 114 other recipients, in the November 2024 issue of the magazine.

“The work we do is a team effort at F&M, and we thank everyone who is intentionally placing diversity, inclusion, community and belonging as their priorities,” said Gretchel Hathaway, vice president for community & belonging.

The HEED Award and the Health Professions HEED Award are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. 

“The HEED Award selection process is rigorous, assessing the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, pathway programs, community partnerships, leadership support for DEI initiatives and a comprehensive list of other considerations," said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher. “The winning institutions consistently demonstrate best practices and set the standards for other colleges and universities.”

The HEED Award and the Health Professions HEED Award are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment.


Expanded Resources

F&M recently hosted its third annual Inclusion Week Sept. 15-20. The theme, titled “Back to Basics: Engaging in Empathetic Discourse,” centered on constructive dialogue. The F&M Office of Faith & Meaning, the Klehr Center for Jewish life, the Alice Drum Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Resource Center now report to the Office of Community & Belonging, allowing for greater collaboration and intentional programming for the College’s diverse campus community.

Campus Inclusion Week

Students and staff discuss AI ethics during campus Inclusion Week Sept. 15-20. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Related Articles

August 5, 2026

Shaping Policy and Careers: F&M Alumni Share Opportunities in Government

Erin Corrigan ’22 is helping to plan initiatives at the highest levels of state government just a few years after graduation, thanks to advice and support from her F&M alumni mentor, Trustee Akbar Hossain ’13. “F&M alumni are here to help support you,” she said. “It’s F&M’s culture to help lift up the next generation.”

June 25, 2026

F&M Elects New Members to Board of Trustees and Honors Emeriti Trustees

The Franklin & Marshall Board of Trustees voted to elect its new members during the Board’s spring meeting. The Board is very pleased to welcome Jason Cone ’99, Jennifer Galambos ’88, David Greene, Mary Little ’75, Rob Mullins, Ph.D. ’91, and Sam Reiman ’02. The Board is also glad to welcome Karla Avelino ’01, Alumni Association Board (AAB) President, and Preston Kilgore ’14, AAB Vice President, as ex officio Trustees.

May 14, 2026

Reflections on Leadership: Board Chair Eric Noll ’83, P’09

Eric Noll’s relationship with F&M began on a gorgeous spring day in 1978. Almost 50 years later, the alumnus will complete his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees on June 30. “F&M continues to evolve, but its core values have remained the same,” Noll says. “I’d say, without apologies, that serving as Board Chair for this college is one of the great honors of my life.”