Ware College House Don Joel Eigen (l.) introduces Bryan Stabbe ’13 during the College House investiture ceremony at Convocation.
The following story is the fourth in a four-part series on the student leaders of Franklin & Marshall’s College Houses.
By Chris Karlesky
House’s first-year class at Orientation in August. Just a year removed from beginning his own college journey, Stabbe volunteered to welcome the new class with a speech at the Ware induction ceremony in the Roschel Performing Arts Center.
Stabbe smiles as he recounts the moments before his speech, when Joel Eigen, Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology and Ware College House don, took the podium.
“Professor Eigen spoke before me, and he was absolutely painting a picture with the English language,” Stabbe says. “His speech included a wonderful, extended metaphor about the college experience. And I’m sitting there wondering, ‘Whose brilliant idea was it for me to follow Professor Eigen?’ I could see the last drops of my speech dripping away.”
Stabbe had no reason to worry, Eigen says, as the sophomore provided valuable advice to the new students.
“Bryan spoke with poise, and caught the spirit of being an engaged citizen within the House,” Eigen says. “He was able to articulate, more than I could, the balance between having a House identity and a College identity. A year before, he was sitting where they were sitting. He articulated what it means to be a member of the House.”
Stabbe might have been prepared to speak about the virtues of the College House system even before he arrived at F&M. Residential life played a key role in his decision to attend the College. “I was looking for a small college with a community feel, and the College House system was one of the things that drew me to F&M,” says Stabbe, a native of Potomac, Md. “I was really into the idea of fostering an identity. From day one, you have a connection with people—even if you don’t know them.”
During his first year, Stabbe decided to run for House government after receiving encouragement from Mona Lotfipour ’12, his house adviser. As president, he works closely with the Ware executive board on House programming and various initiatives, including a popular social outreach program, Ware in the World (founded by Lotfipour). Other Ware executives include Alexandra Kranidis ’13, vice president and operations chair; Deepra Yusuf ’13, house life chair; Mark Bookman ’13, social chair; Seth Sasloe ’12, treasurer; and Anna Katia Zbikowski ’12, secretary.
Stabbe is active outside of House government, as well. He serves as a sports broadcaster for GoDiplomats.com, covering baseball, basketball, football and soccer. “I was a student assistant coach for my high school football team, and I helped to break down the film and call the plays,” says Stabbe, who is leaning toward government or American studies for his major. “I didn’t want to give that up, so I asked how I could get involved in sports at F&M. I love getting into a van at 9 a.m. on a Saturday and going on the road to cover a game.”
But the most important part of Stabbe’s F&M experience remains the community in Ware College House.
“I’ve developed close relationships with people in the House. I’m thankful for what the House has done for me in just a short time.”