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Swarthmore College Swarthmore, one of the nation's finest institutions of higher learning, is a college like no other. Private, yet open to all regardless of financial need.

American, yet decidedly global in outlook and diversity.

Garnet Weekend 2026 starts this Friday! Join us October 30-31 as we bring together students, families and alumni for a w...
10/26/2026

Garnet Weekend 2026 starts this Friday! Join us October 30-31 as we bring together students, families and alumni for a weekend of campus traditions, fun events, and Garnet pride.

From Fall Fest and the Autumn Highlights Tour with the Scott Arboretum to the McCabe Lecture, the Rally for the Garnet Tailgate, and a full lineup of athletic events, there's something for everyone.

See the full schedule of events and register today: https://www.swarthmore.edu/garnet-weekend-2026

What can a Swarthmore education teach us about leadership, truth, and our shared future?Join us for the 2026 Thomas B. M...
10/23/2026

What can a Swarthmore education teach us about leadership, truth, and our shared future?

Join us for the 2026 Thomas B. McCabe Lecture during Garnet Weekend, featuring Vivek Varma '88 in conversation with filmmaker Dawn Porter '88, H'21.

In a playful, Jeopardy!-inspired format, Varma will reflect on his journey from Swarthmore to public service and the technology industry, exploring leadership, values, AI and the power of a liberal arts education.

We hope you'll join us for this special Garnet Weekend conversation! Explore the full schedule of events here: https://www.swarthmore.edu/garnet-weekend-2026

How can AI help make scientific research more accessible? Swarthmore Research Computing Manager Jason Simms is helping l...
10/21/2026

How can AI help make scientific research more accessible? Swarthmore Research Computing Manager Jason Simms is helping lead a $24.5 million National Science Foundation-funded initiative to connect researchers with the data, computing resources, and AI tools they need. As a co-principal investigator on the project, Simms hopes to break down barriers for researchers at smaller institutions and expand opportunities to contribute to scientific discovery.

Read more about his work and initiative: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/research-computing-manager-jason-simms-helps-lead-245-million-initiative-to-advance-ai

What connects Swarthmore alumni across industries and generations? A shared foundation in the liberal arts and a drive t...
10/20/2026

What connects Swarthmore alumni across industries and generations? A shared foundation in the liberal arts and a drive to make a difference.

More than 100 alumni, Swarthmore families, and guests gathered in San Francisco on October 7 for an evening with President Valerie Smith and the Board of Managers celebrating the College and the impact of a Swarthmore education. Alumni leaders shared their ideas about the future and reflected on how their liberal arts education prepared them to navigate challenges and opportunities in their fields.

Next stop: Philadelphia! Join us Thursday, November 19, to hear four alumni share how their liberal arts educations prepared them to shape the civic, political, and cultural life of the city.

Learn More: https://www.swarthmore.edu/fit-every-possibility

Getting into the fall spirit, one pumpkin at a time. 🎃 📸 Ian Ekatomatis ’30
10/20/2026

Getting into the fall spirit, one pumpkin at a time. 🎃

📸 Ian Ekatomatis ’30

The College mourns the loss of Robert Ernest Williams, Marian Snyder Ware Professor Emeritus of Physical Education and A...
10/19/2026

The College mourns the loss of Robert Ernest Williams, Marian Snyder Ware Professor Emeritus of Physical Education and Athletics and longtime director of Swarthmore's athletics programs, who died October 2 at age 88.

During his time at Swarthmore, Williams broadened access to athletics and physical education, helping make them an integral part of the College's educational experience. He also advocated for equal budgets for men's and women's teams competing in the same sport, well before most schools came into compliance with Title IX. His mentorship and thoughtful leadership left a lasting impact on the College and its coaches.

Read more about his life and legacy: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/honor-retired-athletics-director-physical-education-professor-bob-williams

As this year’s Lang Social Impact Fellow, Chun Wang ’24 will continue to work on improving the social and emotional well...
10/19/2026

As this year’s Lang Social Impact Fellow, Chun Wang ’24 will continue to work on improving the social and emotional well-being of migrant youth within the context of climate change-induced extreme weather conditions.

With their project, Wang engages with young people through the method of photovoice, a social work practice and research modality that uses photography for community insights and actions.

Read more: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/chun-wang-%E2%80%9924-continues-efforts-to-improve-well-being-migrant-youth-lang-social-impact

A decade of working toward Zero Waste on campus ♻️ This month, Swarthmore held its 10th annual Waste Characterization St...
10/15/2026

A decade of working toward Zero Waste on campus ♻️ This month, Swarthmore held its 10th annual Waste Characterization Study to take a closer look at what's in our campus waste and how well we're sorting materials into the right streams.

It's part of an ongoing effort to divert more waste from incineration and into composting or recycling.

Martin Hall was recently honored by Engineering News-Record (ENR) MidAtlantic with a Sustainability Award of Merit, as s...
10/14/2026

Martin Hall was recently honored by Engineering News-Record (ENR) MidAtlantic with a Sustainability Award of Merit, as selected by a group of industry experts.

The reimagined building, which re-opened in the fall of 2025 after more than two years of construction, is illustrative of the College's commitment not only to interdisciplinary connection, but to sustainability as well.

Learn more: swarthmore.edu/news-events/martin-hall-receives-sustainability-award

It's almost time for Garnet Weekend! 🍂 Join us on campus October 30-31 to celebrate the intellectual life, shared tradit...
10/12/2026

It's almost time for Garnet Weekend! 🍂 Join us on campus October 30-31 to celebrate the intellectual life, shared traditions, and people who make Swarthmore unique. Whether you're a Swattie, a family member or an alum, there's a place for you here.

Register now!
https://www.swarthmore.edu/garnet-weekend-2026

Nela Loftin ’28 has gleaned an important lesson from her time at Swarthmore: Lasting change depends not just on ambitiou...
10/07/2026

Nela Loftin ’28 has gleaned an important lesson from her time at Swarthmore: Lasting change depends not just on ambitious projects or technical solutions, but on the relationships behind them.

That commitment to building stronger communities — and to approaching engineering as a tool for equity and public good — has earned Loftin national recognition as a Newman Civic Fellow.

The yearlong fellowship, offered through Campus Compact, recognizes students for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in their communities. The fellows engage in learning and networking opportunities aimed at supporting their development as civic leaders, including an annual national gathering.

Learn more: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/nela-loftin-%E2%80%9928-named-newman-civic-fellow

On October 21, join Timothy Stewart-Winter '01 for a SwatTalk exploring the story of Walter Jenkins, one of President Ly...
10/06/2026

On October 21, join Timothy Stewart-Winter '01 for a SwatTalk exploring the story of Walter Jenkins, one of President Lyndon B. Johnson's most trusted advisers, whose 1964 arrest became a watershed moment in the history of q***r life and American politics.

Stewart-Winter, author or Outed: LBJ's Confidant and the Arrest That Transformed a Presidency, will be joined by Sasha Issenberg '02 for a conversation about Jenkins, LBJ, and the lasting impact of this pivotal moment in political and LGBTQ+ history.

🗓️ October 21, 8 pm ET
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Register: https://www.swarthmore.edu/alumni-resources-events/swattalks

The College mourns the passing of T. Kaori Kitao, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emerita of Art History, who died Se...
10/05/2026

The College mourns the passing of T. Kaori Kitao, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emerita of Art History, who died September 21 at age 93. A Renaissance scholar in the truest sense of the term, Kitao brought a depth and breadth of knowledge to her work that reflected a lifetime of dedicated study. As the College’s first openly transgender faculty member, she also modeled what it means to pursue both intellectual rigor and fearless personal integrity.

A member of the Swarthmore faculty for 35 years, Kitao is remembered as a brilliant scholar, dedicated mentor, and beloved teacher whose curiosity and commitment to learning left a lasting mark on the Swarthmore community.

Read more about her life and legacy: https://www.swarthmore.edu/presidents-office/honor-retired-art-history-professor-t-kaori-kitao

Good food, good music, good company. A little Garnet spirit from last weeks's Community Gathering.
10/05/2026

Good food, good music, good company. A little Garnet spirit from last weeks's Community Gathering.

Nearly 150 alumni, Swarthmore families, and guests gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first event in our "Fit for Eve...
10/01/2026

Nearly 150 alumni, Swarthmore families, and guests gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first event in our "Fit for Every Possibility" series. Moderated by President Valerie Smith, the evening featured alumni reflecting on how their liberal arts education and experiences at Swarthmore prepared them for leadership in policy and the public sector. The event was the first of four this fall celebrating Swarthmore, the liberal arts, and President Smith who will conclude her tenure as the College's 15th president at the end of the academic year.

Read the full story from the D.C. event and learn more about upcoming "Fit for Every Possibility" events.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/fit-every-possibility-tour-kicks-off-washington-dc-event

What does a Swarthmore education make possible?Join Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith and four Bay Area alumni ...
09/30/2026

What does a Swarthmore education make possible?

Join Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith and four Bay Area alumni to hear how their liberal arts educations have shaped their careers in technology entrepreneurship, venture growth, and innovation.

Together, they'll reflect on their experiences at Swarthmore and the ideas and perspectives that have stayed with them throughout their careers.

Join us for an evening of conversation and connection in the Bay Area. Register to attend and hear their stories firsthand.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/fit-every-possibility/san-francisco

Celebrating student research and discovery at the annual Sigma Xi Poster Session.
09/29/2026

Celebrating student research and discovery at the annual Sigma Xi Poster Session.

Three alumni recently joined Swarthmore College’s Board of Managers: Jeremy Brest ’90 and Colin Convey ’97 are new to th...
09/28/2026

Three alumni recently joined Swarthmore College’s Board of Managers: Jeremy Brest ’90 and Colin Convey ’97 are new to the Board, and Tom Hartnett ’94, P’26, is rejoining after a short hiatus. Together, they bring decades of leadership experience across the private, nonprofit, and global development sectors, along with a deep commitment to the values that have long defined a Swarthmore education.

Read more: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/swarthmore-welcomes-three-new-members-to-board-managers

President Valerie Smith announced today that the College's Board of Managers approved her recommendation for a new name ...
09/21/2026

President Valerie Smith announced today that the College's Board of Managers approved her recommendation for a new name for Old Science Hall: Edley-Morgan Hall, effective immediately.

The name recognizes two illustrious members of the Swarthmore community: legal scholar Christopher F. Edley Jr. ’73, H’99 (1953-2024) and Kathryn L. Morgan (1919-2010), Sara Lawrence Lightfoot Professor Emerita of History.

Read more: https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/old-science-hall-renamed-scholars-kathryn-morgan-christopher-edley-jr-73-h99

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