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Articles by Brian Zimmerman
All the world’s a stage: Performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
At Earlham College, students are no strangers to finding unique ways to learn about the world around them. Still, for nearly a decade, the College’s Department of Theatre Arts has set itself apart by asking students to build a dramatic world from scratch, then perform it at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. This particular created world is centered around a steampunk fantasy trilogy by Richmond author Kathryn Clare Glen.
Margaret Hamilton ’58, whose code helped reach the moon, dies at 90
Earlham College celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of Margaret Hamilton ’58, the pioneering computer scientist and systems engineer whose work helped make the Apollo moon landings possible. Hamilton died Sept. 30 at age 90. Hamilton’s connection to Earlham was celebrated throughout her remarkable life. In 2009, the College presented her with its Outstanding Alumni Award (pictured below) in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to computing and space exploration.
Katie Yamasaki ’99 and the art of being with everybody
Katie Yamasaki, Earlham College Class of 1999, speaks to a group of future Earlhamites during an admissions event on campus in February 2026. Katie Yamasaki ’99 inhabits a vast and varied creative universe that is perhaps best understood and examined like one might understand and examine a massive mural. Like Yamasaki’s community-centered mural making practice, a mural is sprawling and generous and colorful and intricate.
Earlham College and Friends School Tokyo establish direct admissions pathway for Japanese students
Earlham College President Paul Sniegowski, left, and Friends School Tokyo Principal Naoto Aoki pose after signing a direct admissions partnership between the schools on Earlham’s campus. Earlham College and Friends School Tokyo in Japan have established a new direct admissions pathway that will give high-achieving students an opportunity to continue their education at a nationally ranked liberal arts college with a shared commitment to community, global learning, and close relationships.
Juan Díes ’88 named 2026 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow
Juan Díes ’88, a musician, educator and cultural leader who has spent more than three decades preserving, performing, and teaching Mexican folk music, has been named a 2026 National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The 2026 class of National Heritage Fellows includes six individual artists and two artist teams receiving the NEA’s highest honor for traditional arts. Díes shares the 2026 fellowship with Victor G.
Passionate and Nimble: Team Magic Bus and Buupass, 10 years later
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (center) stands with winners, Leslie Ossete, Wyclife Omondi, Iman Cooper and Sonia Kabra of Team Magic Bus, from Earlham College, winner of the Hult Prize during the Hult Prize Finals and Awards Dinner 2016 at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in New York. (Brian Ach/AP Images for Hult Prize Foundation) In 2016, four students from Earlham College’s Net Impact chapter found themselves visible on an international stage.
From classroom to construction: Earlham College students lead inclusive bathroom redesign
The reimagined bathroom on the first floor of the Center for Science and Technology features six single-occupancy stalls with floor-to-ceiling walls and secure, lockable doors. At many colleges and universities, facilities upgrades are typically handled by outside consultants and engineering firms. At Earlham College, a recent bathroom redesign became something more: a hands-on, high-impact learning experience that empowered students to shape a more inclusive campus.
Earlham College announces direct admissions pathways with 8 Friends schools
Earlham College is expanding its network of partnerships with Friends schools across the United States. The partnerships are resulting in direct admissions pathways designed to connect academically talented students educated in the Quaker tradition with a U.S. News & World Report Top 100 national liberal arts college.
Earlham College shines in U.S. News & World Report rankings for value and teaching
Earlham College continues to earn national recognition for the quality and value of its undergraduate education, earning multiple distinctions in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Earlham ranks 29th among national liberal arts colleges for “Best Value” and 46th for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” placing the College among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions in both categories.
Former AG Eric Holder at Earlham College: ‘Democracy is not a spectator sport’
Hundreds gathered Thursday evening at Earlham College’s Goddard Auditorium for a conversation with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who reflected on his historic tenure leading the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of American democracy, and the importance of civic participation. Holder served as the 82nd U.S. attorney general from 2009 to 2015 under President Barack Obama.
Earlham College expands free tuition program for Indiana families earning $100K or less
Indiana students from families with a household income of $100,000 or less can now study at Earlham College tuition free through the INspire Earlham program, beginning with the fall 2027 entering class. The expansion of the program reflects Earlham’s ongoing commitment to widening access to a nationally recognized liberal arts education while acknowledging the financial realities facing Indiana families.
Niche.com recognizes Earlham College among Indiana’s best liberal arts colleges for academics and diversity
Earlham College ranks No. 1 in Indiana for diversity and No. 2 among the state’s best liberal arts colleges in Niche.com’s new 2026–27 rankings, adding to a growing list of national and state recognition for the College. Niche is a leading website providing college information to students and families.
Earlham College welcomes the Class of 2030 and a new academic year
Members of the Class of 2030 spell out EC during New Student Orientation. Earlham College begins the 2026-27 academic year today with the arrival of the Class of 2030, the launch of a new 3+1 education pathway with John Carroll University, national recognition for academic excellence from The Princeton Review, and anticipation of the next event in the Presidential Lecture Series featuring former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
2 degrees, 4 years: Earlham College and John Carroll University establish new accelerated pathway in education
Earlham College and John Carroll University have announced a new articulation agreement that creates an accelerated pathway for Earlham students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education with teaching licensure in just four years. The partnership connects Earlham’s undergraduate programs with John Carroll University’s School-Based M.Ed. program.
Earlham College earns multiple Top 25 Princeton Review rankings in new ‘Best Colleges’ guide
Earlham College has once again been recognized among the nation’s best undergraduate institutions by The Princeton Review, earning seven Top 25 rankings in the publication’s newly released 2027 edition of The Best 392 Colleges. Earlham was ranked 11th in the nation for Best Classroom Experience, marking the 11th consecutive year the College has earned a Top 25 spot in the category.
Mike Deibel recognized for leadership and service to National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
Mike Deibel, left, is presented with the Frank Whitehouse Jr. Award during the 2026 Biennial National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions National Conference. Earlham College’s Mike Deibel was presented the Frank Whitehouse Jr. Award during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Biennial National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in July.
Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General under President Barack Obama, to speak at Earlham College
Eric Holder, who served as U.S. Attorney General under President Barack Obama, will visit Earlham College on Thursday, Sept. 17, for a conversation exploring law, leadership, criminal justice and democracy. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Carpenter Hall Goddard Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, but advance reservations are required. Tickets are available at earlham.edu/lectures.
Winners of the 2026 Earlham-Ullberg Prize for Environmental Innovation take on e-waste
The 2026 Earlham-Ullberg Prize for Environmental Innovation recipients (from left to right): Urwashi B.K., Liliana Cauende, and Gina Manhica. The 2026 Earlham-Ullberg Prize for Environmental Innovation was awarded to two projects this year. The recipients include Urwashi B.K. ‘28, who is exploring repair cafés this summer and their ability to reduce e-waste through salvaging repairable electronics.
Reba McGloughlin ’26 selected for Fulbright to pursue graduate study in Ireland
Earlham College senior Reba McGloughlin ’26 has been selected for a Fulbright award to pursue a Master of Science in World Heritage Management and Conservation at University College Dublin in Ireland. McGloughlin is the second Earlham student this year to receive a Fulbright award and becomes the College’s 44th recipient since 1991. The graduate program at University College Dublin combines cultural and natural preservation with conflict resolution and hands-on site management.
Earlham Peace Prize recipient Malou Cithiec: Sharing the power of books
Living in Kenya within Kakuma, one of the largest refugee camps in the world, planted the seed for Malou Cithiec ‘28 to give back to his community over the last few years. He has since attended United World College USA and Earlham College, and this spring, his proposal to purchase books for a library at a school in the Kakuma refugee camp received funding as this year’s Earlham Peace Prize recipient.
Armen Sargsyan ’26 awarded Projects for Peace grant to establish learning hub in Armenia
Armen Sargsyan ‘26 has used his years at Earlham for study, but also a bit like a startup incubator for his own goals and visions in the world. He developed his ideas, refined them through competition and collaboration, and ultimately, found great success, as the latest recipient from Earlham selected for a Projects for Peace grant. The $10,000 prize is administered by Middlebury College to fund a grassroots project.
Living and learning together: Four years as Earlham College roommates
Graduating seniors Ashley Jennings, left, and Christine Deena John share an embrace during Earlham College’s 2026 Epic Launch in Cincinnati, Ohio. Christine Deena John ‘26 and Ashley Jennings ‘26 grew up worlds apart, but because they both ended up at Earlham, their paths crossed in a major way. John found Earlham on a list of Davis United World College Scholars partner schools while she was attending United World College Japan.
How Earlham College helped Briana Ancalmo ’26 get into veterinary school
Briana Ancalmo ‘26 began her journey through Earlham College accompanied by a steadfast companion: her horse Apollo. “The first thing that drew me to Earlham was the equestrian program,” Ancalmo says. “A big draw was being able to bring my horse to school.
Dera Driscoll ’26 selected for Fulbright teaching award in Taiwan
Dera Driscoll ’26, a Japanese studies and mathematics double major at Earlham College, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for the 2026-27 academic year. Driscoll is the 43rd Earlhamite to receive a Fulbright since 1991, continuing Earlham’s longstanding reputation for producing global scholars. As a Fulbright Scholar, Driscoll will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan, building on prior teaching experience and language study.
Finding courage and success as a student-athlete at Earlham College
Ethan Rose ’26 began his Earlham journey well before he heard of the college. After years of playing middle and high school soccer, he pursued his goal of playing college soccer via submitting a highlight video showcasing his skills in high school, which made its way to Earlham Men’s Head Soccer Coach Aaron Gustine. “When I received this email from the head soccer coach at Earlham, it was the best one I’d received,” Rose explains.
Rose León-Alvarado ’24 becomes first from Honduras selected for prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Rose León-Alvarado on Earlham College’s campus before commencement weekend. Rose León-Alvarado ’24 has been awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, becoming both the first Earlham College graduate and the first from Honduras to receive the award. León-Alvarado will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Basic and Translational Neuroscience on full scholarship at the University of Cambridge in England, beginning in fall 2026.
A living legacy with Japan, 140 years and growing
Students pose in front of the Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura near Tokyo, Japan. Formal exchanges of students between Japan and Earlham College began in 1963. Semesters abroad. Faculty exchanges. Alumni trips. Teaching internships. Public film screenings.
FIU hospitality program ranked No. 3 among U.S. public universities, politics ranked No. 15, joining several other top-ranked FIU programs in 2026 QS World University Rankings
Florida International University’s hospitality program is ranked No. 3 among U.S. public universities, No. 23 in the world and No. 1 in Florida, according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, released by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds. FIU also ranked in the top 30 (top 15 among public universities) in the U.S. and top 101-150 in the world for politics.
Earlham Summer adds 3rd week; new course for young birders
Earlham Summer students take courses taught by Earlham faculty and earn a college credit. This year, Earlham Summer expands to three full weeks of hands-on learning, exciting new courses, and opportunities to explore, create, and connect with other students on Earlham College’s beautiful campus. Earlham Summer is a weeklong pre-college experience for high school students that offers a preview of living and studying at a Top 100 National Liberal Arts College.
3 Earlhamites named Fulbright semifinalists
Fulbright award semifinalists (from left to right) Reba McGloughlin, Dera Driscoll, and Jacob Gurt. For three Earlhamites, years of research, language study, mentorship, and intellectual curiosity have culminated in a significant achievement: being named Fulbright semifinalists. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a nationally competitive fellowship that supports graduates pursuing research, graduate study, or English teaching abroad while fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Earlham College’s Debanjali Banerjee selected for national AI education fellowship
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Debanjali Banerjee. The Computing Research Association (CRA) has selected Debanjali Banerjee, Earlham College assistant professor in computer science, to the inaugural cohort of 25 National Science Foundation National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NSF NAIRR) AI Education Fellows.
Earlham College ranks in nation’s Top 4 for study abroad participation
Earlham College students walk along a coastal shore during the spring 2026 semester in New Zealand. Earlham College students continue to participate in learning experiences abroad at a rate that far exceeds their peers at other colleges and universities, according to the Institute on International Education.
Earlham College students place 3rd in statewide entrepreneurship summit
Earlham College students participated in the Intercollegiate Entrepreneur Summit in Indianapolis earlier this year. A team of Earlham College students placed third out of 38 teams from colleges across Indiana at the Intercollegiate Entrepreneurs Summit in Indianapolis.
Earlham College sophomore Aliya Mills selected for Realizing the Dream Scholarship
Earlham College sophomore Aliya Mills (left) and Dennis Middle School Teacher Kraig Rose pose after being honored during the 2026 Realizing the Dream Scholarship banquet in Indianapolis. Earlham College sophomore Aliya Mills has been named the College’s 2026 recipient of the Realizing the Dream Scholarship, awarded by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
Earlham College-led Revitalize Richmond initiative announces next downtown collaboration
A significant step forward in Downtown Richmond’s ongoing revitalization effort was reached this week with the approval of the latest historic restoration project at 713 E. Main St. In a strategic collaboration between Earlham College’s Revitalize Richmond initiative, the Wayne County Land Trust, and Richmond Neighborhood Restoration, this project aims to stabilize and rehabilitate a key architectural asset while strengthening the fabric of the downtown neighborhood.
Earlham College and Friends School of Baltimore announce new direct admissions pathway
For students educated in the Quaker tradition, the transition from high school to college is becoming more direct and accessible. Earlham College and Friends School of Baltimore have announced a new agreement designed to remove barriers and offer guaranteed admission for qualified students. Friends School of Baltimore students who graduate in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher will receive direct admission to Earlham College, beginning with the Class of 2027.
Earlham College to be host site of Japanese Olympiad of Indiana for next 3 years
Earlham College students from the LIFT program pose for a picture in Japan during a trip in 2025. The LIFT program supports first-generation students during their first year on campus. Earlham College will begin hosting the Japanese Olympiad of Indiana in 2026, committing to serve as the site of the annual competition for three consecutive years.
VP of Student Life Bonita Washington-Lacey named 'Educator of the Year' by Chamber of Commerce : Earlham College
Bonita Washington-Lacey, vice president of student life and dean of students (left), shakes hands with Lynette Davis, director of events at the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, after a surprise Educator of the Year Award announcement at a campus meeting. Bonita Washington-Lacey, vice president for student life and dean of students at Earlham College, has been named Educator of the Year by the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Nick Johnson '01 named as Earlham College's director of athletics : Earlham College
Earlham College has named Nick Johnson, Class of 2001, as its next director of athletics. Johnson, a longtime coach and current assistant athletics director for student success, will begin his role early in January. He succeeds Adam Hutchinson, who will retire after more than four years of outstanding service to the College. Johnson brings more than two decades of experience at Earlham as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator.
5 questions with the president of Earlham Student Government
Ever wonder who helps turn student ideas into action? Behind the scenes, the student government president guides the conversations, decisions, and community-building efforts that shape the campus experience. In this Q&A, Earlham Student Government President Rayyan Afzal ‘27, a double major in business and economics, discusses what drives him, the goals and inspirations fueling his work, and the hopes he carries for strengthening the community in the year ahead.
Earlham College Biology professor contributing to development of indigenous cultural center in Fiji
Bridging science and tradition, Earlham College Professor of Biology Heather Lerner has been working in Fiji since December 2024, showing how research and museum interpretation can help a remote island community preserve its history and revitalize its culture.
Earlham College joining local efforts to bring smarter recycling to region
When local entrepreneur Penny Ausmus first dreamed of creating a regional hub for recycling and reuse in Richmond, she knew she wanted it to be more than a drop-off site. Her vision was to build a community resource — one that would educate, inspire, and empower residents to think differently about what they throw away. “We’re missing a lot of education about recycling,” Ausmus said. “A lot of recycling programs are prone to abuse.
Experience a Simone Leigh '90 sculpture up close
Las Meninas II, a sculpture by acclaimed artist Simone Leigh ’90, is now on display at the Earlham College Center for Visual and Performing Arts atrium. Provided on loan by the Art Bridges Foundation through November 2026, Leigh’s life-size sculpture was inspired by Las Meninas, a 1656 painting by Spanish artist Diego Velázquez.
Students unearthing sustainable practices in ceramics that inspire accessibility in art education
In a creative blend of science and art, Earlham students Drew King ‘28 and Mack Harvey ‘28 worked alongside Judy Wojcik, associate professor of art, to research the viability of utilizing local clay and glaze materials in ceramics. The collaborative project investigates how artists can reduce environmental impact by using resources found close to home, while deepening their connection to both their work and the environment around them.
Earlham School of Religion announces new 'Heart of Peace' seminar and lecture series : Earlham College
Earlham School of Religion’s Quaker Leadership Center, in partnership with the Betty Carter Peace Fund, has announced “The Heart of Peace,” a new speaker and seminar series exploring faith, theology, and moral vision in the pursuit of peace and human connection. This inaugural series is designed to bring distinguished scholars, faith leaders, and practitioners to Earlham.
5 questions with Earlham College professor Ryan Murphy
When most people think of the Teamsters, they picture trucks, strikes, and maybe even Jimmy Hoffa. In his new book, Teamsters Metropolis, associate professor Ryan Murphy digs deeper, showing how this powerful union helped shape politics, infrastructure, and the daily life of post-war American cities. In this Q&A, Murphy discusses the significance of the Teamsters, what their story reveals about labor’s role in shaping modern America, and why it still matters today.
Earlham College shines in U.S. News rankings for affordability, teaching excellence, innovation, and global programs
Earlham College continues its longstanding tradition as a Top 100 national liberal arts college in the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The College also earned distinction in four additional categories, reflecting its strengths in value, innovation, teaching and global learning. “These rankings affirm Earlham’s long-standing excellence and the transformative education we provide,” said Earlham President Paul Sniegowski.
Très bien! Olivia Ramsey's path to French knighthood
What do you get when you mix the beauty of multilingual, Francophone culture with an Earlham education? If you’re Olivia Ramsey ’00, you get a knighthood. On May 16, 2025, Ramsey received the insignia of Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes académiques, knighted by the French government for her efforts to bring Francophone culture to the U.S. through education. Except this knight isn’t carrying a sword.
Top of the class
You only have to go so far as annual rankings in U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review to see that excellence in teaching is one of the hallmarks of the Earlham experience. The college has consistently ranked among the top liberal arts institutions in the nation — and that it offers one of the nation’s best classroom experiences. It’s no secret that the path to these rankings and to the esteem in which the College is held leads back to the dedicated, engaged and scholarly faculty.
From Earlham College to UNICEF: A path in international law and social justice
Earlham College senior Maellynn Karuranga is no stranger to taking big leaps to achieve her goals. She comes from Réunion, an island that is an overseas department and region of France near Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. When she was a young teenager, she had never heard of United World Colleges (UWC) or Earlham, but a chance connection lit a spark. “My Mom talked to the second Réunionnais to ever attend UWC, and she told me about it, and I applied,” Karuranga said.
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