Swarthmore College

06/02/2026

The College mourns the passing of Dito van Reigersberg ’94, an actor, theater-maker, and cabaret performer best known for his drag persona Martha Graham Cracker. A Swarthmore graduate, Dito was a cofounder of Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre Company and performed in nearly all of its productions since its founding in 1995. The first photo shared below is from his 2010 performance as Martha Graham Cracker in Olde Club on Swarthmore’s campus.

Through Martha Graham Cracker, Dito helped expand what drag could look and sound like in Philadelphia, creating work that was theatrical, literary, deeply musical, and emotionally alive. His impact on the performing arts community will be deeply felt. He was 53.

https://www.advocate.com/obituaries/dito-van-reigersberg-martha-graham-cracker-dies

05/30/2026

Back in step, back together ✨

05/29/2026

Nothing like coming back to the people who made this place feel like home.

05/29/2026

It’s a perfect day to be back at Swarthmore ☀️

05/29/2026

You are here. ❤️

Welcome to Alumni Weekend 2026! From the moment you first arrived on campus, you became part of a lifelong community—and today, we’re so happy to welcome you back home.

You learned here. You grew here. You belong here.

This weekend is yours to reconnect, celebrate, and create new memories in the place that will always be yours.

Schedule of events: https://www.swarthmore.edu/alumni-weekend-2026

05/29/2026

For years, Don “Donny” Thomas has been more than a familiar face in Swarthmore Dining. He’s been the heart of it.

Known as the “Mayor of Swarthmore” Donny has built lasting connecting with students and alumni.

As he retires, we’re celebrating the community he helped shape. Thank you, Donny!

05/28/2026

Starting the celebration a little early—welcome back, Class of 1976! ❤️

Ahead of Alumni Weekend, a full day on campus included time with current students, a look at sustainability efforts, and a chance to reconnect over dinner.

05/27/2026

Today is the final day to register online for Alumni Weekend 2026 (May 29–31). Walk-on registration will be available—but some of those can’t-miss moments may fill up.

Come back to the place that still feels like home:
🌹 Walk in the Parade of Classes
🌳 Gather for Alumni Collection with Alan Symonette ’76 and celebrate this year’s award recipients
🍽️ Share a meal (and a few stories) at your Class Dinner

The campus paths, the friendships, and the memories are all waiting for you. Register today!

https://www.swarthmore.edu/alumni-weekend-2026

05/26/2026

At Swarthmore College, we believe education has the power to change lives, and that access to opportunity should not depend on a family’s financial circumstances.

We are proud to announce the Swarthmore Tuition Guarantee. Beginning in fall 2027, domestic students from families earning $200,000 or less with typical assets can attend Swarthmore tuition-free.

This initiative builds on our loan-free financial aid program, which already meets 100% of demonstrated need for all students and supports families across a wide range of incomes.

Learn more: https://direc.to/oLN8

05/25/2026

428 graduates. A rainy day at the Mann Center. Still one unforgettable celebration. 🎓❤️

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Here’s to what’s ahead and all the possibilities waiting for you.

05/24/2026

The texts that show up right when you need them ❤️

Members of Swarthmore College's class of 2026 read encouraging text...

05/24/2026

Commencement day has arrived at Swarthmore. It’s a time to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the culmination of four years filled with exploration, growth, meaningful collaboration with faculty, and support from staff across campus. 🎓

Before the caps and gowns come out, take a look at Swarthmore’s 154th Commencement by the numbers.

Commencement has arrived at Swarthmore. The weekend events will mark the culmination of four years of exploration and growth for seniors, spirited instruction from and collaboration with faculty, and multifaceted support from staff from across the campus.Before final touches are made and regalia is....

05/23/2026

A tradition that begins it all and brings it all back together 🕯️

05/23/2026

Sophia Cáceres ’26 will deliver this year’s student Commencement address, sharing reflections on the intellectual curiosity and strong sense of community that have defined her time at Swarthmore. A Spanish and religion major, swimmer, Spanish tutor, and Senior Admissions Fellow, Sophia has built connections across campus while mentoring others and exploring her academic interests. Read more about her journey and what she hopes to share with the Class of 2026.

A Spanish and religion major from Smyrna, Ga., Cáceres was selected by her peers and the College Commencement Committee to deliver this year’s student Commencement address.

05/22/2026

Taking it all in from the top. 🔔

05/22/2026

Danika Grieser ’26, an Honors major in Economics and Honors minor in Political Science, made the most of her time at Swarthmore by fully engaging in both her studies and campus involvement. Through honors seminars, advanced coursework, and research positions, she built a strong foundation for analyzing decisions at every level. Her academic work also took her beyond campus, with research experiences at the Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Brookings Institution.

On campus, Danika was heavily involved across numerous clubs and organizations. She served as SGO Vice President and Internal Affairs Executive Committee Chair, led SwatVotes as President and Treasurer, and contributed to several college committees and initiatives. As a Lang Opportunity Scholar, she led a project partnering with an Indigenous educational organization to train students at tribal colleges in Montana to brief tribal court cases and expand access to tribal case law, which she describes as the most fulfilling work she has done at Swarthmore. This fall, she will attend Stanford Law School.

05/22/2026

Justin Hohn ’26, a Dance and Biology major from Queens, NYC, spent his time at Swarthmore pursuing both his artistic and scientific interests. He performed in dance concerts in Pearson Hall, worked across styles including ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, and choreographed original work, including a solo for his Choreography Seminar. In the lab, he conducted research in the Clements Lab studying the immunological function of red blood cell progenitor cells and later interned at Columbia University through the Leadership Alliance, focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma research.

Justin also studied abroad in London at the University of Roehampton, an experience that inspired him to fully commit to dance professionally. After presenting his original solo in Fall 2025, a highlight of his time at Swarthmore, he is now auditioning for dance companies around the world with a goal of pursuing his career in Europe.

05/22/2026

Hope Dworkin ’26 is an Honors major in Art History and Honors minor in Studio Art from New York, NY. Originally drawn to architecture and urban history, they discovered a passion for sculpture during their first year, finding that their studies fuel both intellectual and creative curiosity in overlapping ways. At Swarthmore, they served as station manager at WSRN, worked as a student technician in the Makerspace, co-organized the Moby-Dick Readathon, and presented a solo senior thesis exhibition at the List Gallery.

Their work is deeply connected to material and process, with a particular love for working in steel and creating pieces like a bench now located in the wildflower meadow behind Whittier. After graduation, Hope plans to work in a fabrication shop or with an artist in Philadelphia or New York before eventually pursuing an MFA or PhD in sculpture or urban and architectural history.

05/21/2026

From the moment you first arrived on campus, you became part of a lifelong community. Swarthmore will always welcome you home, regardless of how much (or how little) time has passed since the last time you heard the Clothier bells ring or strolled down Magill Walk.

This Alumni Weekend, come back to reminisce, reconnect, and make new memories on campus. Register by May 27 and let your friends know you’ll see them here.

05/21/2026

Zindzhi Montgomery ‘26 is a double major in Film and Media Studies and Psychology from Oakland, CA. Originally planning to study psychology, she discovered her passion for film after a class her first year, where her interest in emotion, spectatorship, and human behavior began to shape her academic path. Her favorite film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, reflects her interest in how media explores human experience.

At Swarthmore, she was a four-year member of the varsity volleyball team, a campus tour guide in the Admissions Office, and an active member of the Swarthmore African-American Student Society, while also completing both a psychology thesis and a film capstone project. Her work includes research on empathy in response to racial microaggressions across short film and VR, and she received the Career Services Summer Stipend to support her internship with the Association of Black Psychologists. After graduation, she will work as a Community Outreach Facilitator supporting the development of an African American wellness hub in the Bay Area.

05/21/2026

Michael Melnikov ’26 is a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics from Karlsruhe, Germany. Drawn to the problem solving aspects of both fields, he found that studying them together offered different perspectives on the same questions and deepened his understanding. During his time at Swarthmore, he competed on the varsity tennis team and served as a captain during his final two years.

Michael describes his Swarthmore experience as incredible from start to finish, and is grateful for the people he met and the connections he built along the way. This fall, he will begin a PhD in Mathematics, continuing the journey with the knowledge and experiences he gained on campus.

05/20/2026

Sophia Springer ’26 is a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies from NYC. Her interest in biology took shape during her sophomore year, when time spent outdoors and courses like Conservation Biology helped her see the connection between the two fields. At Swarthmore, she was a Presidential Sustainability Research Fellow working on a campus farm feasibility study, a Green Advisor, a Bio 2 Lab TA, and a member of track and field, while also conducting biology research with Professor Formica and Professor Machado.

Sophia is most proud of pushing herself outside her comfort zone, whether that meant studying abroad, pole vaulting higher, or speaking up in class. She is grateful for the opportunities that helped her grow, form new relationships, and better understand herself. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year or two to gain research experience before pursuing a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology.

05/19/2026

Elijah Santos ’26, an engineering major and music minor from Guam, made the most of his time at Swarthmore by blending technical problem solving with creative expression. He worked on projects like the ENGR 060 concrete design lab, where his team’s beam withstood the greatest compressive load, and his ENGR 090 senior design project focused on reducing freeze thaw settlement using recycled glass aggregate for housing foundations in indigenous Alaskan communities.

Outside the classroom, Elijah was involved in Salsa con Sabor, SwaTango, Swaudio, and Orpheus Review, and enjoyed social dancing trips and live mixing performances for band and a ca****la concerts. His proudest moment was completing his senior recital for vocal and piano, a culmination of his time as a music minor and a chance to showcase his love for music. After graduation, he plans to return home to Guam to work as a field engineer, with hopes of pursuing a master’s degree in structural engineering.

05/18/2026

Madeleine Wang ’26, a double major in Neuroscience (Honors) and Statistics, made the most of every moment at Swarthmore, balancing late-night lab breakthroughs with the “beautiful chaos” of IC’s Spotlight Week, founding STA Night Market, and performing with RnM and fellow musicians. Her time in the lab and in her studies allowed her to grow as both a scientist and a problem-solver.

From scientist to leader to artist, Madeleine embraced it all. As she reflects on her time here, she leaves behind a legacy, lifelong friendships, and a very full heart.

05/15/2026

John Alston H’15 has spent 32 years building the Chester Children’s Chorus into a thriving, year-round program that supports students through music and academics alike. What began in 1994 with seven children has grown into a community serving 110 students from Chester, with a focus on choral excellence and academic growth.

As he prepares to retire, Alston is already looking to the future, one shaped by a strong team and a shared commitment to expanding what’s possible for Chester’s children.

Read more: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/eve-retirement-john-alston-h%E2%80%9915-reflects-time-chester-children%E2%80%99s-chorus-%E2%80%94-and-its