At Franklin & Marshall College, learning by doing is a hallmark of the Diplomat experience. This philosophy comes to life for more than 1,000 students who engage in on-campus employment.

For Gonzalo Gentou Arbizu ’26, fundraising is a masterclass in human connection. A double major in psychology and business, organizations, and society (BOS), Gonzalo serves as a student philanthropy coordinator with Franklin & Marshall College’s Advancement office.  

“This role is all about building relationships with stakeholders,” he said. “Fundraising is a community effort that requires building a strong and authentic sense of community and pride that will excite others and incentivize them to give back.” 

In his role, Gentou Arbizu supports College Advancement in fundraising efforts, particularly student-centered campaigns. He is also chair of Dollars 4 Dips, a student philanthropy committee.

“I do a lot of student outreach,” Gentou Arbizu said. “The main goal is to create a culture of giving among the student body and encourage students — as early as first-years — to give back to F&M.”

 

Gentou Arbizu propelled student participation for F&M’s Day of Giving, the College’s largest donor-based campaign of the year. 

 

“I was able to leverage my connections to bring people to Steinman College Center to celebrate Day Of Giving together, sign a gratitude card or even make a gift,” he said. 

 

Gentou Arbizu’s majors in psychology and business were two sides of the same coin. He said F&M empowered him to pursue both fields and balance the emotional intelligence of a psychologist with the strategic mindset of a business leader.

 

“I’ve always been interested in the corporate world and economics, but wanted to add psychology to learn about people in more depth — how they think and behave — as well as develop analytical research skills in that field,” he said. “The liberal arts education at F&M is unique and allows you to navigate different fields of study, which prepares you to face complex challenges in diverse domains.”

 

“Through group projects and hands-on experience in the classroom, I have been able to develop meaningful skills that have helped me be successful in this role, and I’m sure will keep helping me in the future,” he added.

 

Following his graduation in May, Gentou Arbizu aims to launch a career in finance or consulting, seeking a client-facing role.

“I’m hoping to find a role that allows me to effectively use the skills I have learned in both my BOS and psychology majors,” he said.

Real-World Learning at F&M

Your ideas may start in the classroom, but they won’t be contained there. At F&M, you can connect the things you care about to meaningful experiences, including research, internships, volunteering, and more.

Explore real-world learning at F&M