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

May 15, 2025

Williamson Medalist Learns “Growth Doesn’t Happen When We’re Comfortable”

Shayra Nunez, of New York City, is the 2025 recipient of the Williamson Medal, the College’s most prestigious award for student achievement. It has been awarded annually since 1922. She graduated summa cum laude as a joint major in business, organizations & society, and government. She received the medal at Franklin & Marshall’s Commencement May 10.

May 13, 2025

F&M Professor Awarded $500,000 Mellon Grant to Amplify Local Grower Voices Amid Climate Change

Franklin & Marshall College Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Eric Hirsch is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to lead a transformative three-year research initiative titled, “The Agricultural Futures Archive: Rural and Urban Growers in the Shadow of the Solar Panel.”

May 12, 2025

‘The Door is Inside You,’ Speaker Tells Class of 2025 at Commencement

As F&M graduates find their footing beyond campus, they need only to look inward. “The door is inside you,” said speaker Sandra Cisneros, addressing members of the Class of 2025 at their Commencement May 10.