On January 13, more than 200 Franklin & Marshall College alumni gathered in New York City to celebrate F&M’s fraternity and sorority life, as well as athletics, at an event hosted by Ken Mehlman ’88, Board Vice Chair and lead donor to the future Mehlman Center for Strength, Conditioning, Wellness & Performance. 

A Phi Kappa Tau brother, Mehlman cares deeply about the future of Greek Life at F&M, and has enjoyed offering opportunities for alumni to connect over their shared passion for the Greek affiliations that profoundly shaped their F&M experience. 

President Andrew Rich and Drew Stelljes, Vice President of Student Affairs, joined Mehlman for the event, as did current leaders of fraternities and sororities at F&M. 

“F&M is about learning & leadership, and our fraternities and sororities advance both goals,” said Mehlman. “They are important to generations of Diplomats and it’s awesome to see the Administration’s commitment to reinvigorate Greek life under the superb leadership of Drew Stelljes and President Rich.” 

A Phi Kappa Tau brother, Ken Mehlman '88 cares deeply about the future of Greek Life at F&M and has enjoyed offering opportunities for alumni to connect. Photo Credit: Nick Gould Photography

Students interested in fraternity and sorority life had the opportunity to learn more from current members at the spring activities fair. Photo Credit: Deb Grove

President Andrew Rich addressed F&M alumni who gathered in New York City to celebrate fraternity and sorority life, as well as athletics, at an event hosted by Ken Mehlman '88, Board Vice Chair. Photo Credit: Nick Gould Photography

Members of Phi Kappa Sigma helped neighbors shovel during the January 25 snowstorm in Lancaster. Photo Credit: Brayden Gray.

On January 13, more than 200 Franklin & Marshall College alumni gathered in New York City to celebrate F&M's fraternity and sorority life. Photo Credit: Nick Gould Photography

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Fraternity and sorority life has a remarkable history at F&M, with the oldest fraternity on campus dating back to 1854. Today, Greek life is experiencing a resurgence of interest from students and a renaissance on campus. Fraternities and sororities are becoming places where students find community and belonging and where they can develop themselves as leaders. 

“Greek life at F&M has an extraordinary history, and I am grateful to Ken and many alumni for supporting our efforts to make it a thriving part of the College’s next chapter,” said President Andrew Rich. “Fraternities and sororities can lead to life-long friendships, and they put leadership in the hands of young people in ways that can contribute to learning and a stronger community.” 

“Strong student-to-student relationships are the single greatest predictor of long-term well-being,” said Drew Stelljes, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Students coming to college today, in an era dominated by social media, need real spaces for authentic connection.”

Currently, more than 300 students are members of F&M’s sororities and fraternities. There are new goals for the strategic, sustainable growth of Greek Life in response to increased student interest, with plans for growth among fraternities, in particular, including the return of Phi Kappa Tau to campus this spring.

To ensure a supportive, welcoming culture that uplifts students who participate, Franklin & Marshall has a strict anti-hazing policy and ensures chapters meet high standards of leadership, academic excellence and community engagement. 

These vibrant communities contribute to a thriving social life for all students at F&M, with organizations hosting events and fundraisers for charity that draw attendance from across campus.

“Fraternity and sorority life is a huge contributor to our social experience on campus,” said Alexis Bonamassa, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “The members of our organizations want the experience for all students on our campus to be a good one.”

For Lorena Saavedra ’27, joining a sorority provided an opportunity to form close friendships—and to engage with students outside her organization. 

“It taught me how to be more involved in the F&M community,” said Saavedra, who is now the president of F&M’s chapter of Chi Omega. “Last semester, Chi Omega started a new event called Mr. Make-A-Wish, which involved every fraternity and sorority on campus. It was so amazing to come together as a Greek Life community to raise money for such an important cause.”

That sense of community extends beyond campus, allowing current students to form connections with alumni who can offer valuable advice and mentorship. 

“I have met countless alumni who I have had the ability to network with, and who have helped guide my searches for internships, jobs, and graduate school,” said Lee Goldberg ’27, former president of Phi Psi. 

The strong connection that F&M alumni still feel toward their organizations is a testament to the lasting nature of the bonds they formed. 

“My membership in the Zeta chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity stands as the most meaningful affiliation of my life—one that shaped my values, strengthened my leadership, deepened my sense of belonging, and filled my years at F&M with joy, laughter, and lifelong memories,” said Tony DeMarco ’84. “I hope today’s members experience the same growth, joy, and sense of belonging that shaped my life.”

With healthy growth through increasing interest and new chapters, fraternity and sorority life at F&M is poised to continue benefiting generations of Diplomats—offering opportunities and connections that endure well beyond graduation.