F&M Stories

True Blue Weekend Marks Milestones

Video by Andrew Bilindabagabo

An estimated 2,100 students, parents and alumni filled Franklin & Marshall’s campus Oct. 27-29 for True Blue Weekend. The annual Homecoming and Family Weekend offered something for members of every generation. 

The weekend marked several F&M milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1973, the College’s first fully coeducational cohort. Visitors got their first glimpse of construction at the Lombardo Welcome Center, slated to debut next spring.  

Throughout Friday, F&M visitors enjoyed open classes, coffee hours, campus tours and reunion gatherings. The Fall Academic Research and Student Experience Fair spotlighted the internships, entrepreneurship and research experiences of more than 60 students. 

Alumni, friends and families made their way to dozens of events across campus Saturday afternoon, including athletic competitions, academic department meet and greets and a lively tailgate gathering. 

In opening remarks at the Alumni Association awards ceremony, F&M President Barbara Altmann emphasized the College’s strong presence both globally and locally in its home city of Lancaster.

“Think about how we can engage with your organization, or how you can come back and demonstrate how you put your own education to good use. Inspire others to do the same. It's really because of the community that we represent, that this is such a powerful institution,” Altmann said. 

View the gallery below for more highlights. For more photos, view the complete 2023 True Blue gallery

Related Articles

November 26, 2025

Mindful Moments: Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom

As fall makes way for finals, F&M students seek calm and quiet. They don't have to look far. The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom provides a space just footsteps from campus to study, congregate with friends, or partake in personal reflection.

November 24, 2025

A Diplomat in Every Sense: Vassilis Coutifaris '09

“I believe the liberal arts value of F&M is that it trains all of us, in a way, to be a bit more adaptive,” said Vassilis Coutifaris '09, who made the fitting jump from F&M Diplomat to a career in international affairs. See what advice Coutifaris has for current students.

November 18, 2025

Diplomats’ Women’s Golf Team Partners With Lancaster Country Club

Franklin & Marshall College and the Lancaster Country Club have entered into an agreement that will allow the Diplomats’ Women’s Golf Team to practice and host multiple Centennial Conference tournaments throughout the season.