F&M Stories
Why Give? Five Inspiring Stories
Like a ripple in a pond, one financial gift can change the academic trajectory for Franklin & Marshall students and those that follow them. As the 2023-2024 fiscal year comes to a close, explore five recent stories that showcase the philanthropic spirit of Diplomats worldwide.
1. Attorney's Passion Paves Way for Students
An F&M grant enabled Karla Avelino ’01 to return to her Central American birth country and discover a passion for immigration law. A founding partner of Roger and Avelino law firm, she’s now paving the way for current and future students to find their potential.
2. Diplomat Leadership Program: Latest Steinman Foundation Initiative to Benefit F&M
Students
Over many decades, The Steinman Foundation, one of the most prominent grant-making charitable organizations in Lancaster County, has supported programs that provide opportunities for Franklin & Marshall students and benefit the broader community. Now, those opportunities have expanded with the Diplomat Leadership program.
3. Unleashing Dreams: Alethia Batchelder ’24
Meet Alethia Batchelder, a recently graduated animal behavior studies major from Maine. Her F&M journey is possible thanks to the support of the Arthur W. and Stella M. Choney Endowed Scholarship Fund.
4. Robert Mullins '91: Grateful for F&M
How do you show appreciation for an institution that worked with you through a life threatening illness to get your degree in four years? If you’re Robert “Rob” Mullins ’91, you give back to that organization in every way you can. “Franklin & Marshall College helped, and helped, and then helped some more,” Mullins recalls.
5. A New Generation of F&M Philanthropists
Lara Gillingham '23 and Hope Petralia '24, previous chairs of the Student Giving Committee, have one message: Diplomats do not need to wait until they graduate to start giving back to their school.
Could you be the next featured story?
From financial gifts to volunteering time and expertise, there are many ways to give at F&M. Explore how to give.
Donors inspire excellence at Franklin & Marshall College by supporting students, faculty
and research that benefits the entire F&M community and beyond.Giving at F&M
Related Articles
April 16, 2026
From F&M to Yale PhD, Quantum Pioneer and the College’s Youngest Trustee
Yusong (Sebastian) Deng ’22 is clear about the importance of F&M in his life. He came to the United States from China at 18 and completed F&M’s dual degree program — three years at Franklin & Marshall, two at Columbia University — earning a bachelor of arts with honors in mathematics from F&M, and a bachelor of science from Columbia. He is now a doctoral student in materials science at Yale and the youngest member of Franklin & Marshall's Board of Trustees.
April 15, 2026
NBA's Ali Narracci ’22 Shares Sports Industry Secrets
Working for the NBA is anything but typical. Ali Narracci ’22 wouldn't have it any other way. See the top five leadership lessons she’s learned as assistant manager of global marketing partnerships at the NBA.
April 14, 2026
Night of Networking Opens Doors for Diplomats
More than 160 alumni and students attended the April 2026 Night of Networking, building connections and identifying opportunities for current students.