Joe Hognander ‘64 first learned of Franklin & Marshall College while researching prospective colleges during his high school senior year. He was struck by the number of articles in national publications that reported about F&M’s recent adoption of computers to manage class scheduling and other administrative functions. It was obvious that this small, liberal arts men’s college was clearly in the vanguard of leading educational institutions and merited serious consideration.
He and his parents visited F&M and were impressed by the welcoming and informative reception they received from college representatives. In addition, Lancaster proved to be a uniquely interesting town that combined manufacturing, agriculture, and commerce with historic charm.
Hognander recalls the adventure of getting settled in to college life in Meyran Hall armed with loads of books required for his Freshman Humanities course. For most of his college time he lived in the Lancaster Theological Seminary, which was an enlightening experience, particularly because both of his grandfathers were protestant ministers. In addition to studies, he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity and leading scorer on the college’s hockey team. During this time he took a required introductory course in psychology taught by Dr. Kenneth Brookshire. Both the course and the professor had a profound impact on his subsequent studies.
After graduating, Hognander entered the master's in management engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and then was hired as an industrial sales representative by the Black and Decker Company in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. With the selective service draft imminent, Hognander applied for and was accepted into the Navy Officer Candidate School program, was commissioned and served 21 years before retiring to care for his aging parents.
Looking back, Hognander says he is grateful for the fine education he received at Franklin & Marshall, as well as the many good memories he has from those college years. He has been a consistent annual fund donor and established the Brookshire Research Fellowship in honor of his former professor. "I hope to encourage future students to take full advantage of the many opportunities that F&M has to offer," he says.
To learn how to craft your own legacy at F&M, or for more information about charitable remainder trusts, scholarships and other endowed funds, contact Mary Ann M. Cooke, J.D., '90 at 717-358-4821 or mcooke@fandm.edu.