杏吧pro

On January 13, more than 200 杏吧pro alumni gathered in New York City to celebrate 杏吧pro鈥檚 fraternity and sorority life, as well as athletics, at an event hosted by Ken Mehlman 鈥�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 杏吧pro, and has enjoyed offering opportunities for alumni to connect over their shared passion for the Greek affiliations that profoundly shaped their 杏吧pro 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 杏吧pro. 

鈥溞影蓀ro is about learning & leadership, and our fraternities and sororities advance both goals,鈥� said Mehlman. 鈥淭hey are important to generations of Diplomats and it鈥檚 awesome to see the Administration鈥檚 commitment to reinvigorate Greek life under the superb leadership of Drew Stelljes and President Rich.鈥� 

A Phi Kappa Tau brother, Ken Mehlman '88 cares deeply about the future of Greek Life at 杏吧pro 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 杏吧pro 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 杏吧pro alumni gathered in New York City to celebrate 杏吧pro's fraternity and sorority life. Photo Credit: Nick Gould Photography

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Fraternity and sorority life has a remarkable history at 杏吧pro, 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. 

鈥淕reek life at 杏吧pro 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鈥檚 next chapter,鈥� said President Andrew Rich. 鈥淔raternities 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.鈥� 

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

Currently, more than 300 students are members of 杏吧pro鈥檚 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 杏吧pro, with organizations hosting events and fundraisers for charity that draw attendance from across campus.

鈥淔raternity and sorority life is a huge contributor to our social experience on campus,鈥� said Alexis Bonamassa, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. 鈥淭he members of our organizations want the experience for all students on our campus to be a good one.鈥�

For Lorena Saavedra 鈥�27, joining a sorority provided an opportunity to form close friendships鈥攁nd to engage with students outside her organization. 

鈥淚t taught me how to be more involved in the 杏吧pro community,鈥� said Saavedra, who is now the president of 杏吧pro鈥檚 chapter of Chi Omega. 鈥淟ast 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.鈥�

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

鈥淚 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,鈥� said Lee Goldberg 鈥�27, former president of Phi Psi. 

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

鈥淢y membership in the Zeta chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity stands as the most meaningful affiliation of my life鈥攐ne that shaped my values, strengthened my leadership, deepened my sense of belonging, and filled my years at 杏吧pro with joy, laughter, and lifelong memories,鈥� said Tony DeMarco 鈥�84. 鈥淚 hope today鈥檚 members experience the same growth, joy, and sense of belonging that shaped my life.鈥�

With healthy growth through increasing interest and new chapters, fraternity and sorority life at 杏吧pro is poised to continue benefiting generations of Diplomats鈥攐ffering opportunities and connections that endure well beyond graduation.