Might sound weird coming from a place you’ve never been, but it’s really how people talk about this place. See for yourself.
Who You Are
Hi, we’re Earlham College. Nice to meet you. Before we tell you our story, we want to know yours. What are you all about?
NAME:
FAVORITE COLOR (bonus points if it’s maroon, obviously):
UNPOPULAR OPINION:
MOST NOSTALGIC SMELL:
UNDERRATED MOVIE/TV SHOW:
THOUGHTS ON SQUIRRELS:
THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY:
MOST LIKELY TO HOLD THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR:
“When the rapture comes, will you still want to be my roommate?”
“Writing this thesis feels like a terrible punishment for having had ideas.”
“is a DJ not just a dictator of music?”
“You can’t blame pizza for the mistakes of man.”
Real-life conversations overheard by real-life Earlhamites
Who We Are
Earlham is a small liberal arts school located in Richmond, Indiana. We realize that this might be the first time you’re hearing of liberal arts and Richmond, but we promise we’ll get into the weeds on what that stuff means later. For now, we’ll focus on telling you about the kinds of people you’d be surrounded by here. Earlham is made up of genuine, hardworking humans who want to make big changes in their communities and the world, for good. Despite each of our students coming from vastly different backgrounds, they all have at least one thing in common — their mighty spirit. Not to get too soppy, but Earlhamites are a brilliant, kind and extremely driven bunch. Our students aren’t just a force to be reckoned with, they are a force for good.
At this point, you might be thinking “that all sounds great,” and if we’ve done our jobs, maybe you’re even feeling inspired. But it doesn’t quite explain why you’re receiving this book. So, we’ll lay it out for you plain and simple — we want you to keep it. Dare we say, enjoy reading it.
So instead of approaching this book like a long lecture, we packed it with fun activities for you and potential Earlhamites all over the world to do together. They’re designed to help you visualize what it’s really like to be an Earlhamite. Because while our community is smaller in numbers, our impact is undeniably huge.
Together, we are Earlham Mighty.
What are we passionate about?
Squirrels. Kindness. Advocacy. Justice. Trees. Knowledge. Composting. Community. Mason jars. But our overarching passion is ensuring that our students have the opportunity to change the world in ways that are meaningful to them. We do this by creating a safe learning space where students feel supported, are encouraged to ask questions and have open conversations.
Informed by the past, Earlhamites create a better future
We only get one planet. So, creating and implementing an ever-evolving set of green initiatives to improve our campus and world was an easy choice. Check out a few of the ways we prioritize sustainability on campus:
THE FREE STORE
A free, on-campus thrift store that’s open 24/7 where Earlhamites can donate or pick out something new.
BIKE SHARE
Free bike rentals for Earlhamites to explore campus and Richmond.
GREEN BUILDINGS
So far, we’ve got four LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
What does it mean to be Quaker?
Out of the nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S., only a handful of them are affiliated with Quakerism. In fact, Earlham was the world’s first co-ed Quaker college.
This may not mean a whole lot if you’re not familiar with what it means to be a Quaker in the first place. Hint: it has nothing to do with that guy on the oats. So, let’s break it down a little.
At Earlham, we all approach living and learning through the lens of our Principles and Practices (P&Ps), which have been shaped by the values that still guide Quakers today. Those P&Ps are Respect for Persons, Integrity, Peace and Justice, Simplicity and Community.
While it’s not a requirement to be Quaker to come to Earlham today — in fact, we have been recognized for our excellence in creating a welcoming climate for students of different worldviews and identities* — our Quaker-inspired values continue to drive Earlhamites forward on their quest to change the world for good.
*Earlham recently received 5/5 stars on the the Interfaith, Spiritual, Religious and Secular Campus Climate (INSPIRES) Index.
At Earlham, we believe you’re never too old to play in the dirt.
Another one of our green initiatives is Miller Farm, an on-campus, student-run farm open to Earlhamites and the Richmond community. It’s a great place for students to learn about sustainability in a hands-on way (and by hands-on, we really mean hands-in-the-dirt).
Miller Farm hosts tons of fun events throughout the year, and sells its fresh produce at the Richmond Farmer’s Market. Plus, students get to cook the food they’ve grown in our kitchen or pizza oven over the weekend.
And our sustainability efforts certainly don’t end there. Our dining and residence halls, houses, apartments and academic building kitchenettes all have one thing in common: compost. We want to provide all Earlhamites, including our staff and faculty, with convenient opportunities to make sustainable choices. So, we have several compost bins across campus.
Home is where the Heart is.
Global and good-hearted
Traveling from all over the world with their unique perspectives in tow, our students come back together each August on the Heart, our center of campus. Being exposed to so many diverse points of view not only makes us better humans, but also better prepared to navigate the increasingly interconnected world around us. Students of all races, beliefs, ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome here. We’re always looking for ways to evolve to make Earlham a welcoming and safe space where our students can be themselves.
Let’s break down some stats. Earlhamites come from 44 states and 48 countries — and counting. Around a quarter of Earlhamites are U.S. students of color, about 15 percent of our students are international and nearly a third of our domestic students are eligible for the Pell Grant (a federal grant for students with significant financial need) in 2023-24. In the past few years, as many as one in four students were the first in their families to go on to college. We’re glad they picked Earlham. Earlhamites strengthen and invigorate our community with their unique backgrounds, love of learning and commitment to making the world a better place.
The first five words you see will describe your first year at Earlham. No pressure.
Learn. Question. Converse. Repeat.
Stick this moment in a time capsule. Save this page. Hang onto it and revisit it as a relic from BC (before college) to see how much you’ve grown.
What are you most looking forward to doing at Earlham?
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done to date?
What is your biggest source of joy?
Why?
What do you think your major will be?
What’s your favorite song right now?
What do you think your future job will be?
Where do you see yourself living after college?
Ask your future self one question:
Earlham is among the 40 select Colleges That Change Lives
53% of grads in 2022-23 studied abroad or off-campus
We’re recognized as one of the nation’s best classroom experiences according to The Princeton Review
On U.S. News and World Report’s Best Value list
4 Rhodes Scholarships 2 Nobel Prizes 42 Fulbright awards Earlhamites have won…
We have a natural history museum ON campus
(which employs about 40 students per semester if you’re interested)
Our campus quad is nicknamed “The Heart”
there’s an outdoor classroom for sunny days
Our campus sits on a few hundred acres of land (that includes hiking trails and even an equestrian barn!)
You can sit and stay awhile in our oncampus greenhouse
We have multiple tree swings on campus 1 in 6 students double-major (and we don’t charge extra for it).
We have a Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
Three Earlhamites have won the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship since 2020
Rankings and stats are accurate as of July 2024.
The majority of students flip to this page first.
And for good reason. With 42 majors and 49 minors (and the ability to create your own), Earlham students have so many areas of academic interest to explore.
MAJORS
Accounting
African and African American Studies ◊
Ancient and Classical Studies ◊
Art ◊
Biochemistry
Biology ◊
Business ◊
Chemistry ◊
Comparative Languages and Linguistics
Computer Science ◊
Creative Writing ◊
Data Science ◊
Earth and Environmental Science ◊
Economics ◊
Engineering*
English ◊
Environmental Sustainability ◊
Exercise, Sports & Health Studies
French and Francophone Studies ◊
History ◊
International Studies
Japanese Studies ◊
Mathematics ◊
Media and Communications
Museum Studies ◊
Music/Music Studies ◊
Music Education
Neuroscience
Peace and Global Studies
Philosophy ◊
Physics and Astronomy ◊
Politics ◊
Psychology ◊
Public Policy ◊
Quantitative Economics
Religion ◊
Social Services
Sociology/Anthropology ◊
Spanish and Hispanic Studies ◊
Theatre Arts ◊
Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies ◊
MINORS
Anthrozoology (Human-Animal Studies)**
Art, Nature and Conservation**
Arts Management**
Contemplative Studies**
Digital Arts**
East Asian Studies
Education**
Equestrian Management
Film Studies
Japanese Language and Linguistics
Jewish Studies
Medical Humanities**
Outdoor Education**
Peace Corps Prep**
Public Health
Quality Science
Shakespeare Studies**
Sustainability and Management**
Sustainable Agriculture**
Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages
◊ Indicates majors available as minors
*See earlham.edu/engineering for more information, including accreditation status.
**Applied minors
Faculty-Student Collaboration.
Your most highly anticipated collab of the year.
There’s a reason we’re nationally ranked for our classroom experience. Our professors are partners in your education, working alongside you in and outside of the classroom to explore new ideas. Oftentimes, this partnership manifests through research (more about that on page 28). To further the atmosphere of collaboration, our professors encourage Earlhamites to address them using their
first name, respectfully. Because at the end of the day, just like you, our professors are people — brilliant, hardworking experts in their fields — but still, people. And in order to create an environment full of mutual respect and desire to learn — the core of our approach to education — it’s necessary to recognize our shared humanity.
WHAT’S AN APPLIED MINOR?
Bring your passion, and applied minors will match your energy by allowing you to take four to six courses on a specific theme or interest while creating space for you to do co-curricular activities.
PRE-HEALTH PROGRAMS AT EARLHAM
As a pre-health student, you’ll receive expert preparation for the health career of your choice through one of 14 career pathways.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE SPECIALIZED?
Specialized degree programs
3+2 Pre-Professional Program in Engineering
3+1 in Education (Earn a B.A. and M.A.T. in Teaching with licensure)
Specialized advising pathways
Pre-law
Pre-health
What’s it like to learn at Earlham?
At this point, you’ve probably seen some stats like these before. But what are these numbers all about and why shouldn’t you just flip to the next page? Let’s dig in.
over 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students
Why this matters: When you have smaller class sizes, you have more opportunities for connection. Your professors will actually know your first name (and you’ll get to call them by theirs). You’ll have more opportunities for interactive learning, to ask questions and to get 1:1 support.
62% of students were in the top 25% of their high school graduating class
Why this matters: You’ll get to have debates with, make friends with and have open conversations with students who are equally as curious and driven as you are.
90% of faculty hold terminal degrees in their fields (which are not only impressive but interesting, too)
Why this matters: Earlham professors don’t just have a passion for their disciplines, they have a passion for teaching, for being mentors and guiding students through their academic and personal growth.
There’s nothing generic about our general education.
Everything about our approach to general education is intentional and informed by our commitment to the liberal arts We ask that students take courses in visual and performing arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, as well as diversity. These classes are deep dives into the nuanced, complex topics Earlhamites need to understand in order to become more expressive, empathetic and educated humans who can make powerful changes for good.
What does “liberal arts” even mean?
Let’s pause here for a moment (we told you we’d come back). Liberal arts is essentially an approach to learning that’s all about creating balance in your education.
What’s the benefit?
You’ll become a well-rounded student (and person) for having been exposed to perspectives you may have otherwise never encountered. Or, you could discover a passion that could change the trajectory of your life. Take it from Helena Aleluya Jose ’25 (pictured at left), a theatre arts and computer science double-major who used her Epic Advantage (see next page) funding to participate in an innovative, faculty-led research project focusing on how sunlight breaks down pharmaceuticals in the environment.
We’ll make your journey epic.
do what you love. Our treat.
Our signature program, the Epic Journey, is all about setting you up with the resources and experiences you’ll need for a successful career after Earlham. It’s basically a four-year plan to connect what you’ve learned inside the classroom with meaningful experiences outside the classroom (with personalized career-coaching along every step of the way). It’s customized to fit your unique interests, helps you reach milestones and ultimately allows you to hit personal and career goals. We’ll be right by your side throughout the entire journey, cheering you on and providing resources and guidance to get you through every twist and turn.
If that wasn’t enticing enough, here’s a little something extra to sweeten the pot: through our Epic Advantage, every Earlhamite is guaranteed a career-focused experience funded up to $5,000. That means you can pursue internships or research opportunities across the globe that get you closer to what you want to do.
And if you’re not exactly sure what you want your future to look like, we can try to figure it out together on page 24.
KIYOMI JOHNSON ’24
Museum studies major Kiyomi Johnson interned with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) three times during her time at Earlham, one of which was funded through her Epic Advantage. During one internship, she conducted research on parasites in shrimp and their effects on the ecosystem. She later returned for an internship that was a partnership between SERC and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. After graduation, Kiyomi took a turn towards the arts, starting her career as a special events associate with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
CLAYTON SNIDER ’25
With support from the Epic Advantage, biochemistry major Clayton Snider ’25 was able to travel out of the country for the first time. Clayton experienced many firsts through Earlham’s multidisciplinary Icelandic Field Studies program, including hands-on research opportunities, from drone photogrammetry on top of a glacier to analyzing e-DNA samples and more. Without funding from Earlham, Clayton never would have been able to go on this program.
“The Epic Advantage gives people like me the chance to travel and see things they can only hope for.”
GABRIEL SAAR ’25
During the summer of 2022, Gabriel Saar ’25 hiked Hadrian’s Wall — an ancient barrier that marked the northwest border of the Roman Empire dating to year 122 in the current era. This faculty-led Epic Advantage program near the modernday border between Scotland and England was perfect for Gabriel, who is an ancient and classical studies major at Earlham.
What could you talk about for hours?
What’s a major goal of yours?
Is the answer pizza? Yes no
How can you dive deeper? tag us in it @earlhamcollege make a tiktok about it a minor related to it a major related to it clubs & orgs related to it
an internship or research experience studying abroad
go to page 42
where do you want earlham to take you?
revisit page 18
do you feel like that’s possible for you?
no, I’m worried about financing
did you know that we fund one experience up to $5,000?
no, but that’s sick!
what will you do next? yes, and I can’t wait!
Real-life Epic Journey outcomes
Get a glimpse into Earlhamites’ lived experiences and how their Epic Journeys helped them feel better prepared to take on the future — whatever it may hold.
Olivia Wilson ’23
Psychology major Olivia Wilson ’23 always knew she wanted to pursue something in the mental health space. But what that something was remained a mystery to her — that is, until she began her Epic Journey. Olivia interned with Fresh Start through Volunteers of America, a residential program that works with women, specifically mothers, struggling with substance use and addiction.
During her internship, something clicked. This work provided Olivia with all of the reassurance she needed to know she was on the right path. Working with clients to destigmatize and bring awareness to substance-use addiction felt fulfilling, and she liked being in an environment that promoted positive wellbeing for not only clients, but staff, too.
Isaac RobertsonBrown ’23
This bio major’s summer internship with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s Fisheries Conservation Lab went swimmingly. Isaac spent his days doing fieldwork catching fish and crabs, measuring them and observing if other creatures came out to eat them. In his downtime, he pursued an independent project where he analyzed data from horseshoe crabs that were tagged and released back into the wild.
Leaving this internship, Isaac’s resume and CV weren’t the only things strengthened — he built lasting relationships with professionals in the field and plans to stay connected. “If I didn’t have this internship this summer, I would be less likely to break into this field after graduation.”
Shruti Belitkar ’23
Shruti Belitkar ’23 was a neuroscience major on a mission to become an epidemiologist — specifically, an infectious disease specialist. So, she set out to shadow a pathologist.
With the guidance of her Epic Journey roadmap, Shruti was able to pack her bags and head to India to get real-life experience in the field and see for herself what pathologists do. During her time in India, Shruti was able to get hands-on lab experience with real-time patients for the first time and learned about one of the biggest responsibilities of healthcare providers today: being a beacon of hope.
Research & Experiential Learning
Research isn’t just for students in the sciences. At Earlham, every student has the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research that matters to them. Our students’ research goes on to improve not only their academic experience, but their fields of study. Some research even gets published in academic journals.
Academic year collaborative research
During the school year, collaborative research can be done for credit. It’s up to you to decide if you’d prefer to pursue your research more independently or have more structured mentorship from your professor. This type of collaborative research can also be a great opportunity for students in need of work study, too. Ultimately, it all ladders up to the Epic Expo, a place where students can present their work and findings for good.
Summer collaborative research
In the summer months, students can receive financial support to conduct research. You’ll research close to 40 hours per week, alongside other Earlhamites and an expert professor to lend a helping hand.
If you give an Earlhamite an internship…
They’ll ask for responsibility. Our students don’t intern to make hundreds of copies or make coffee runs all day long. They intern to organize, to research, to write and to be on the ground doing the work. And to ensure our students get access to those real-world experiences in their field of interest, we provide resources like our Epic Advantage, career coaching and advising.
Earlhamites have had career-making experiences right here in Richmond, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and all over the world.
Earlhamites intern, research and work with companies and organizations like these:
• Citibank
• Adobe
• Conserve Natural Forests
• Smithsonian Institution
• Joint U.S.-China Collaboration on Clean Energy
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Richmond Parks and Recreation
• Living Roots Farm
• United Nations
• Cope Environmental Center
• Shanghai Winner Environmental Technologies
• Indiana University School of Medicine
Mary Jo Easley ’24
Global management major
As an intern at Walmart’s corporate headquarters, Mary Jo Easley ’24 studied food systems and witnessed the company’s commitment to becoming a regenerative company.
She worked with the senior vice president of sustainability and the private label team manager, who together make decisions about the products in thousands of stores, including items like non-dairy milk, meat alternatives and zero-waste products.
“The scale was daunting,” she said, “but it reminded me that to make global change, I will need to work with those who either currently run our economy or are willing to disrupt it.”
Your future self will thank you.
Earlhamites have gone on to make positive changes in every field imaginable. What will your future hold? You’ll figure it out in time. For now, here’s something else to figure out.
DOWN
1. Ways to measure success.
2. Fancy way of saying a student was admitted into another institution or accepted a job offer. (two words)
3. An official representing a country abroad.
4. To accomplish a goal.
5. A person who offers their time up for a good cause.
6. Higher education beyond undergrad. (two words)
7. A person with expert knowledge of natural or physical sciences.
ACROSS
1. Someone who campaigns for social and/or political change.
2. A doctor of philosophy. (abbreviation)
3. A member of the Senate.
4. Sponsored, funded opportunity for personal and professional growth.
5. A prestigious scholarship awarded to study at the University of Oxford.
6. A person who creates art by carving into mediums like clay, wood or stone.
7. A practitioner of medicine.
8. Awards hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press. (two words)
Crossword key on page 34
Where Earlhamites end up.
Earlhamites are great at doing good. Our alumni are activists, diplomats, award-winning actors, sculptors, expert jugglers and just about everything in between. Many of them credit their success to the time spent, lessons learned and experiences gained here at Earlham.
Earlham is a national leader for the percentage of graduates who earn advanced degrees, including the Ph.D.
Our medical school placement rate is higher than 80% — more than the national average.
*Percentage reflects graduates who are actively seeking careers or further study
Companies and organizations Earlhamites have landed jobs with:
Universities and colleges where Earlhamites have pursued higher education: 91%* of graduates are employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.
Max Fries ’24
Earlham alumni are known for paving their own way and Max Fries ’24 is no exception. Max, who earned a number of honors playing baseball with the Earlham Quakers, joined the Savannah Bananas organization for their 2024 season of Banana Ball.
“Banana Ball is a fast-paced version of baseball with a twohour time limit, no bunting and tons of other awesome rules,”
says Max. The sport puts a spin on classic baseball by including in-game performances, antics and costumes. (Think the Harlem Globetrotters, but for baseball.)
The Bananas have taken the internet by storm with 8.6 million followers of their TikTok account (@thesavbananas). Max plays for the newly created Visitors team in the organization, where he will develop his skills as a Banana Ball player in hopes of making the Bananas roster.
Sonia Norton ’18
After nearly five years working on Capitol Hill, Sonia Norton ’18 recently started a new role as the Deputy Director of Advocacy for No One Left Behind — the nation’s oldest charitable organization dedicated to evacuating, resettling and advocating for former interpreters and U.S. government employees eligible for the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Programs.
Before that, she was the senior legislative assistant in the office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Her portfolio included drug policy reform, immigration, housing and homelessness, foreign affairs and defense.
Earlham vibes only
Crossword Answer Key
ACROSS- 1: Activist 2: PhD 3: Senator 4: Fellowship 5: Rhodes 10: Sculptor 7: Doctor 8: Golden Globes DOWN- 1: Outcomes 2: Placement rate 3: Diplomat 4: Success 5: Volunteer 6: Grad school 7: Scientist
So you moved to Richmond, Indiana — now what?
There’s a common misconception that the Midwest can be … well, mid. But we assure you that there’s plenty to explore on and off campus. Richmond, like Earlham, is just as unique, active and fun as our students.
Close your eyes and imagine:
You set foot on campus for the first time ever. Your shoes sink into the grass. This is the place where you can talk about your favorite movie for 10 minutes straight, uninterrupted. The place where you’ll meet your best friend, roommate and the only other person on Earth who loves RuPaul’s Drag Race as much as you do. The low hum of crickets, chirping birds and squirrels — doing…whatever squirrels do — surrounds you.
As you walk around campus, you see other students carrying mason jars instead of plastic water bottles (arguably, the more fashionable and sustainable choice). As you look closer, you notice hammocks and slacklines strung between trees, a swing and Adirondack chairs where Earlhamites chat, read and nap between classes.
This is Earlham.
Ready for the weekend?
When it comes to things to do, and people to do them with, there’s no shortage of options at Earlham. Find your people through clubs and organizations (more on page 42) and keep reading to find out what’s popular with Earlhamites on and off campus.
Want to see what Earlhamites are getting into right now?
IG: @earlhamcollege1847 TikTok: @earlhamcollege
FB: @EarlhamCollege
Volunteering for good
Community is everything to Earlhamites, and that includes the greater Richmond community. That’s why we have opportunities for meaningful community engagement through our Center for Social Justice — where students find service learning opportunities not just here in Richmond, but all over the world.
Students collaborate with our community partners to find ways to get involved with social justice movements, public policy, voter education and registration, local issues and more. These hands-on experiences benefit your learning, your resume and the people and communities you’re working to advocate for — for good. Take it from students like Jimmy and Marlenne.
JIMMY FREIBERGER ’26
Richmond native Jimmy Freiberger ’26 has been a leader in community engagement initiatives at Earlham. Recently, Jimmy worked with a team to gain funding through the Dimick Eastman Grand Challenge for the Mobile Meal Program — a meal delivery program for homebound folks in Richmond with the most demonstrated need. Jimmy was also selected to present his research paper at the 25th World Congress of Philosophy in Rome, Italy, in August 2024. “As someone who is interested in helping create a better world, I want to understand what the world is first,” he said.
MARLENNE GARCIA ’24
Marlenne Garcia ’24 became involved in the Richmond community through Earlham’s community engagement opportunities. She felt especially connected to the Richmond Rose Garden through her work with the Bonner Scholars program. She connected with volunteer coordinator Lisa Burkhardt ’79, and developed a close bond while learning how to weed and tend to the garden. Marlenne also helped develop new marketing materials to promote the annual Bloom and Glow event, a celebration of the first bloom of roses.
Richmond is rad.
Chances are, if you’re not from around here, you likely haven’t heard of this cute little city tucked in Wayne County. You’ll find plenty of green scenery with trails, waterfalls and gardens all around — but it still maintains a bit of bustling city energy.
It’s the best of both worlds for those that don’t want to commit exclusively to the city or the ’burbs. However, if you do get the itch for a day trip, Richmond is an easy drive to several major cities.
Indianapolis (1 hr, 15 mins)
Cincinnati (1 hr, 25 mins)
Columbus (1 hr, 40 mins)
Cleveland (3 hrs, 30 mins)
Chicago (4 hrs)
The 11 Wonders of Wayne County
Like the seven wonders of the world, but make it Richmond. Be sure to check out some of these landmarks during your time at Earlham.
Gennett Records Walk of Fame — Hollywood stars, who? Walk alongside the markers of jazz icons like Louis Armstrong who recorded with this Richmond-founded label back in the day. Fun fact: Richmond is known as the cradle of recorded jazz, and in the winter months, the former record factory is home to the indoor farmers’ market.
Antique Alley — Richmond and Wayne County are renowned for antique shopping. Vintage lovers and thrift flippers, get those sewing machines ready.
Fountain Acres Amish Store — Affectionately coined “Amish Walmart,” this grocery store is the go-to spot for baked goods, candy and cheese.
Richmond Art Museum — This cultural gem boasts an expansive collection of contemporary and historical art, including artists from the famed Richmond School, a group of American Impressionist painters who worked here in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Richmond Rose Garden — Unwinding here is the ultimate cottagecore fantasy.
Thistlethwaite Falls — We hear you’re not supposed to go chasing waterfalls, but it’s hard not to when they’re this beautiful.
Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site — This National Historic Landmark was built in 1839 and was owned by Quaker abolitionists.
Clara’s Pizza King — Just your run-of-the-mill local pizza joint with a full-sized double-decker bus inside. You gotta love Richmond.
Earlham Nature Reserve System — Explore more than 400 acres including creeks, rivers, prairies, forests and recreational trails for hiking and biological study.
Roscoe’s Coffee Bar and Tap Room — The vibes in this coffee shop are astronomical. Enjoy the perfect blend of industrial and artsy style while sipping on some fair-trade coffee.
Cardinal Greenway Trail — Take a stroll or bike ride through Indiana’s longest rail trail spanning 62 miles.
What’s cool to do on campus?
A better question might be — what isn’t? Earlham is full of hidden gems. Allow us to dig up a few:
Swing near the science buildings — Feel the breeze, listen to trees and look kind of adorable doing it. dance alloy — One of the largest student organizations on campus, Dance Alloy is a full-scale production featuring styles that range from abstract to modern, tap, swing, hip-hop, African, ballet and salsa.
Listen to the Javanese Gamelan ensemble — If you’ve never had the pleasure of hearing this type of ensemble before, a gamelan is a set of Indonesian percussion instruments, used for traditional ritual music in Java and Bali.
check out The giant beaver fossil — Did we already mention we have a literal natural history museum ON our campus? We know Quakers are supposed to be humble … but come on, that’s pretty dang sweet.
Chill on the Heart — It’s what we call our campus quad. On sunny days, you’ll find most Earlhamites lounging and laughing in the grass.
“I just felt like Earlham was my home away from home. I felt like I was within a community, and I wasn’t just another number.”
— Hannah Skene ’27
Find your people.
At Earlham, we have more than 50 clubs and organizations to help you connect with Earlhamites who have similar interests, passions or shared backgrounds. Joining a club or organization can be a great way to make friends, build better time management skills and unabashedly talk about the things you love. Check off the ones you want to join below:
SERVICE CLUBS:
Disability Advocates
Health Club
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)
Net Impact Chapter at Earlham
Sexual Health Peer Educators
9 th for most “LGBTQ-Friendly” schools by The Princeton Review
CULTURAL CLUBS:
Black Student Union
International Student Coalition
Latin and Caribbean Student
Association
South Asian Student Association
Students for Free Tibet
Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine (SPJP)
POLITICAL CLUBS:
Earlham College Amnesty
International (ECAI)
EC for Fair Labor
EC Votes
Model United Nations
RELIGIOUS LIFE GROUPS:
Buddhist Student Union
College Meeting for Worship
Cabinet
Earlham Christian Fellowship
EC Unitarian Universalists
Interfaith Cabinet
Jewish Student Union
Muslim Student Association
Questing Catholics
Student Friends ranked no. 5 for the “best school for making an impact” by the princeton review
SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS:
Barn Co-op
Bike Co-op
BTS Fan Club
Dance Alloy
Earlham Ethical Debate Club (EDC)
Earlham Theatre Company
Google Developers
Neuro Student Union
Outdoors Club
Student Activities Board (SAB)
SPORTS CLUBS:
Aikido Club
Boxing Club
Hunt Seat Equestrian Club
Women’s Rugby Club
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Co-Recreational Volleyball
*Partial list of sports clubs only
Start your own:
The fight never left
Technically, we used to be the “Fighting Quakers.” And though that word hasn’t been in our name since the 1980s, the fight lives on in our student-athletes.
Quakers have historically been pacifists, but when our athletes play, they play to win. We also play to move our bodies, to blow off some steam, to engage in healthy sportsmanship and to make new friends (human, equine or otherwise). There’s something for athletes and players of every level and interest.
DIII Sports:
On average, 40% of our students will compete at this level, so take note.
MEN’s WOMEN’S
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf Lacrosse
Soccer Tennis Track & Field
Basketball
Cross Country Field Hockey
Golf Soccer
Softball Tennis Track & Field Volleyball
55 student athletes earned academic all-conference honors in 2023-24 and 26 Earlhamites earned all-conference honors in either the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference or the North Coast Athletic Conference in 2023-24.
Club: Aikido
Badminton
Boxing
Esports
Equestrian
Men’s Rugby
Women’s Rugby Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Recreational: Basketball
Co-rec soccer
Table tennis
FIGHT, FIGHT INNER LIGHT!
Earlham students participate in organized sports at intramural, club and NCAA DIII level. And the skills they learn on the field are just as valuable off of it. According to a 2022 Forbes article, student-athletes develop skills like balance, accountability and perspective — all of which pave the way for a successful personal life and career.
Ready to move in?
Barrett Hall Earlham Hall
What’s special about this hall?
Full kitchen on every floor
Multiple laundry rooms
• First-year residence hall
• Gender-inclusive
• Double and triple rooms
BUNDY Hall
What’s special about this hall?
First-year residence hall
• Gender-inclusive
• Three full kitchens
What’s special about this hall?
The Student Life, Residence Life and Health and Counseling Services offices are on its main floor
It’s connected to the dining hall and Runyan Center (great for snowy and rainy days!)
Second floor is home to the Substance-Free Community
• Gender-inclusive
• Two full kitchens
• One laundry room
• Single and double rooms
• Upperclass students only
Mills Hall Warren Hall
What’s special about this hall?
Full kitchen on every floor
Laundry on every floor
TV lounge on every floor
1/3 of “The U” as Earlhamites have named it (formed by Mills, Warren and Wilson Halls)
• Gender-inclusive
• Single and double rooms
• Upperclass students only
• Suite-style with shared bathrooms
Olvey-Andis Hall
What’s special about this hall?
Near the library and dining hall
Full kitchen on every floor
Laundry on every floor
TV lounge on main floor
• Gender-inclusive
• Single and double rooms
What’s special about this hall?
Warren Hall is home to the African, African-American and Black Identity Living-Learning Community
The BAAAF community on the 3rd floor
2/3 of “The U”
• Gender-inclusive
• One full kitchen
• One laundry room
• Double and triple rooms
• Upperclass students only
Wilson Hall
What’s special about this hall?
3/3 of “The U”
• Gender-inclusive
• Double and triple rooms
• One full kitchen
• One laundry room
• Upperclass students only
A big part of the college experience is where you stay. Let’s talk about options for living on campus and the perks of each building. Every hall is gender-inclusive, has WiFi, at least one laundry room, kitchen and TV lounge, and has common spaces recently renovated in 2023.
Friendship makes your house a home.
CAMPUS HOUSES
Campus houses are a great way for upperclass students to live with a close-knit group of peers who have shared community and educational goals for the academic year. These houses are located on College Avenue and National Road West and are centered around shared cultural backgrounds, hobbies, religions or beliefs — even topics like sustainability, mindfulness, music or video games. No matter where you choose to live, there’s no doubt it’ll allow you to explore even deeper and long-lasting connections with other students.
CAMPUS VILLAGE APARTMENTS
Another option is the Campus Village Apartments, located on the south side of campus near the baseball field and equestrian barn (about a 15-minute walk to the Heart). They offer one-, two- and three-bedroom living spaces. Every unit has a furnished living room, kitchen and bedrooms, as well as a full bathroom. Every unit has its own washer and dryer. Convenient street parking is available.
Staying grounded at Earlham
Take a moment to breathe.
It’s no secret that the hustle of balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, your social life and other responsibilities can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. At Earlham, we provide resources so that you can take care of yourself inside and out as you navigate living and learning on your own. We offer mental health services, spiritual counseling and conflict mediation as well as our state-of-theart Athletics and Wellness Center to help you keep your mind, body and spirit feeling refreshed. Your health and well-being come first. And we’ll always be there to support you through challenging times.
FINISH
Mind Maze: Enter Zen mode. Clear your mind and unwind with this maze of the Heart. Take the next few moments to be present in your actions.
START
Is it lunchtime yet?
All of our dining hall meals are cooked fresh daily, and you’ll be able to see what’s on the menu a week in advance. Whenever possible, our food is sustainable and often locally sourced, meaning many of our veggies, fruits, eggs, bread, baked goods, poultry, etc. come from within a 150-mile radius of campus. Because we want our students to eat well and feel well so they can continue doing good.
Restaurants in Richmond
Parlor Doughnuts — Try one of their 20 tasty doughnut varieties, specialty coffees or artisanal sandwiches. They also have vegan-, gluten- and keto-friendly items.
Firehouse BBQ and Blues — Live music and smoked meats in a former fire station. Does it get any more Richmond than this?
Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine — Feels homey, has great hospitality and the food is unmatched.
Thai Thara — Authentic, affordable Thai food that might just blow your mind.
Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream — Dairy-full and dairy-free frozen treats, plus the best waffle cones you’ll ever have.
Neat (that’s Quaker for really awesome) buildings
Athletics and Wellness Center
Home of the mighty Earlham Quakers. Our Athletics and Wellness Center isn’t just for student-athletes, we also host group fitness classes like yoga, Judo and spinning here too!
Center for Visual and Performing Arts
Commonly referred to as CVPA, this building is home to our art, music and theatre arts programs. The building itself is one of our newest additions to campus, renowned for its sustainable design. CVPA is complete with state-of-the-art performance facilities, including a studio theatre, recording studios and spaces for painting, fiber arts and more.
The Co-Lab
Like a WeWork for Earlhamites. Students from all majors are welcome to use the Co-Lab to do exactly that — collaborate. The Co-Lab also houses several of our interdisciplinary Epic Centers.
Runyan Center
The student center is perfect for meeting up with friends, grabbing a coffee, heading to the dining hall, picking up mail or browsing the latest Earlham swag in the campus store.
Joseph Moore Museum
Just our casual, free, on-campus natural history museum. Complete with live reptiles, over 60,000 specimens and artifacts, and an Egyptian mummy. You know, normal college stuff.
Earlham College Observatory
One of the most historic buildings on campus is this star-gazing spot, which was also the first college observatory in Indiana.
The Suzanne Hoerner Jackson Equestrian Center
This professional-level, 25-stall barn is a 15-minute walk from campus and is home to the barn co-op, where students can take care of horses in exchange for riding privileges.
An education for good starts with a value that’s great.
At Earlham, we recognize that your education is an investment — and we’re committed to delivering a quality liberal arts education at an affordable price. It’s why we’re consistently ranked a “Best Value” college by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.
Our healthy endowment and strong network of alumni and friends who believe in the value of an Earlham education make it possible for us to award significant aid to students like you.
cost of attendance after aid:
When it comes to generosity, we practice what we preach.
Think a high-quality liberal arts education at a nationally ranked private college is out of reach? Think again. Earlham debunks the myth that instate public schools are always the most affordable option by providing very generous financial aid packages that can help make your time here a reality. And we’ve got the stats to back it up. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 85% of students in the U.S. receive some form of financial aid — at Earlham, that number is 95%.
Scholarships
A scholarship is financial support that does not need to be paid back. Scholarships can be awarded to students for merit and specialinterests. With the help of generous donors, Earlham offers merit, talent-based and special-interest scholarships to high academic achievers, students interested in art, chemistry, community service and engagement, diversity leadership, music, theatre arts, Quakers — the list goes on! To be considered for scholarships, students and their families must fill out the FAFSA.
Grants
Grants are typically need-based funds provided by the federal or state government. Earlham also administers its own grant funds thanks to the generosity of alumni donors. Grants do not need to be repaid.
Remember, scholarships and financial aid can help greatly reduce the sticker price.
“With the scholarship opportunities that I have here, Earlham was the best financial option for me.” — Hazel Jordan ’24
Earlham Swag
We think maroon and white might be your colors. Draw yourself in to see what you’d look like as an Earlhamite.
You’ve intrigued me… What’s next?
Let’s talk about the college application process. You can apply to Earlham for free through the Common App.
What do I need to apply?
1. Application essay
2. High school transcript
3. Recommendation letter
4. Standardized test scores (or not — the option’s yours.)
Why do you need them?
We view our students through a holistic lens. We want to see who you are beyond just academics, so we ask for an essay and a recommendation letter to help paint a more complete view of who you are as a person.
FAFSA deadlines
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Application available: October
Application deadline: Priority deadline is March 1. Deadline to ensure that financial aid will be awarded before the first bill issues is June 1.
application deadlines
Early action 1
Applications due: Nov. 1
Early action 2
Applications due: Dec. 1
Regular decision
Deadline: March 1
Earlham College Common App commonapp.org/explore/earlham-college
Tour your future home.
Experience the energy on campus for yourself — in whatever way you’re most comfortable, whether that’s in-person or virtually.
ON-CAMPUS VISITS
Feel the grass, spot our savviest squirrels and unwind in the Adirondacks as you cruise through campus on this in-person tour. Led by real-life Earlhamites, each tour is packed with personal anecdotes and hot takes (like the best meditation spot on campus).
REMOTE VISIT
We know that coming to campus isn’t the most convenient choice for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the goodness of Earlham. Schedule this visit to tour campus via Zoom and attend an information session. Plus, you’ll have the option to chat with an admissions counselor online if you have further questions.
VIRTUAL WALKTHROUGH
The perfect complement to a virtual or on-campus visit, our virtual walkthrough is ideal for scrolling through campus at your own pace. Plus, you can replay and revisit as often as you want until you know the fun facts like the back of your hand.
Visit: earlham.edu/visit
What to know before visiting
Parking
Parking is free and easy, so no need to stress there. We recommend parking in the admissions visitor parking spots on the main drive or adjacent lots. After you park, head to the Office of Admissions in Tyler Hall.
Out-of-town stays
For those who don’t live close to campus and would prefer to stay close by overnight, here are some resources we recommend:
Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond
455 Commerce Road, Richmond, IN 47374
13-minute drive to Earlham
Best Western Classic Inn
533 W. Eaton Pike, Richmond, IN 47374
13-minute drive to Earlham
Home2Suites by Hilton Richmond
5950 National Road E., Richmond, IN 47374
15-minute drive to Earlham
Other questions about visiting?
Visit our FAQ with the QR code below or contact our admissions team! Phone number: 1-800-EARLHAM
Domestic Email: admissions@earlham.edu
International Email: intl-admissions@earlham.edu
Schedule a visit today earlham.edu/visit
Real talk from real Earlhamites
Bring this page to your campus tour and ask your guide for their best advice on making the most of your time at Earlham.
Squirrelebrity Sightings
Mr. Peanuts 2:34 pm the Heart He discovered granola bars — in the trash.
