The Phoenix

Old Science Hall Renaming Task Force Unveils Final Steps

by Kush Kaur

April 16, 2026

News

The committee to rename Old Science Hall approaches the final stages of its work and shares what comes next.

Provost Rich Wicentowski on Overseeing Swarthmore’s Academic Program

by Daniel Perrin

April 16, 2026

Provost Rich Wicentowski talks about his approach to leading Swarthmore's academic programming

Office Hours: Faculty on How Swarthmore Has Changed

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

April 16, 2026

In this edition of Office Hours, faculty reflect on how they feel

The Phoenix In Conversation With SGO President- and VP-Elect

by Ellen Stewart

April 16, 2026

The new SGO president- and vice president-elect share their vision and goals

Swarthmore Called the Police on Our Protest. Now I’m Preparing for Trial.

by Jace Boland

April 16, 2026

Jace Boland '27 condemns the college's decision to arrest him and eight

Latest Stories

The Phoenix in Conversation with U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D – PA05)

by Daniel Perrin

April 16, 2026

Alistair McDowall’s ‘Pomona’ Reaffirms the Power of Theater

by Kaito Stohr

April 16, 2026

The Iran War in Context: A Conversation with Professor Ahmad Shokr

Beika LyuandZuyuan Zhou

April 16, 2026

News

Ruth Cyzner on Escaping Nazi Germany, Surviving Holocaust

by Zephyr Weinreich

April 16, 2026

Holocaust survivor Ruth Cyzner talks about her lived experience of escaping Nazi Germany, while sharing concerns about the future of democracy.

College Data Reveals Rise in Average Grades Over Past Two Decades

by Ellen Stewart

April 9, 2026

Data on students’ average grades over the past two decades show that the average grade given at Swarthmore has risen across all divisions.

Ask The Phoenix: Who’s On the Committee to Choose Swarthmore’s Next President?

by Zephyr Weinreich

April 9, 2026

Some analysis, takeaways, and biography of who is on the committee to select the next president of Swarthmore.

Chris Van Hollen ’83 H’14 On His Fiery Year in the Senate

by Daniel Perrin

April 9, 2026

Senator Chris Van Hollen ’83 discusses his political approach to an increasingly progressive and outspoken role in the national scene.

The Phoenix in Conversation with Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild ’62 H’93

by Daniel Perrin

April 9, 2026

Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild discusses the role emotions played among Trump supporters and how understanding them helps us move forward.

Opinions

Letter to the Editor: Swarthmore Should At Least Be Honest About Its Values

by Michael Weithorn

April 16, 2026

Former Phoenix humor columnist Michael Weithorn ’78 suggests an update to Swarthmore's website and mission statement to better reflect the reality of the college's punitive approach to student protestors.

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

April 16, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students share their dorm horror stories, discuss their thoughts on room selection, and brainstorm what new businesses should come to the Swarthmore Ville.

Letter From Faculty and Staff In Defense of Students’ Freedom of Expression

by Undersigned Faculty

April 9, 2026

79 members of Swarthmore's faculty and staff condemn the college's recent disciplinary charges against student protestors for the distribution of allegedly violent zines.

Arts

Rock and Roll is a Risk: ‘Sing Street’ 10 Years On

by Alissa Lopes

April 16, 2026

A look back on John Carney's "Sing Street," on its ten year anniversary.

Artist of the Week Kana Nagata ’26: In the Space Between Words

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

April 16, 2026

Kana Nagata’26 on her finding meaning in silence, direcitng and life.

Class of 2026 Choreographers Shine in Final Showcase

by Jeremy Weinstein-Sears

April 16, 2026

A review of Swarthmore's Senior Dance Concert featuring four of the eight senior dance majors & minors.

Sports

Athlete of the Week: Iris Barone ’26

by Katherine Kerman

April 16, 2026

Katie Kerman: Congratulations on your Centennial Athlete of the Week award and becoming the program’s all-time leader in triples and stolen-bases! Can you take us through those moments when you broke two program records and how you and your team celebrated? Iris

Playoff Push: Swarthmore Heats Up in Final Stretch Before Tournament Play

by Aimee Lee

April 16, 2026

As the spring weather is heating up, so is Swarthmore’s softball team. The Garnet currently sit atop the standings in the Centennial Conference with an 11-1 conference record and are in position to secure the top seed in the upcoming postseason tournament.

Athlete of the Week: Aubree Daugherty ’26

by Aimee Lee

April 9, 2026

Aubree Daughtery '26 reflects on her four years playing women's lacrosse at Swarthmore.

Features

Hey Mom

by Corinne Lafont

April 16, 2026

Corinne Lafont '26 writes a touching piece about her Mom in honor of Mother's Day.

Bubble Soccer Brawl

by Paris Kampel

April 16, 2026

A Ranked Guide to the Hobbs Spring Menu

by Cameron Alleyne

April 9, 2026

Cameron Alleyne '29 reviews Hobbs Spring Menu.

Recommendations From the Editorial Board Vol 4.

Katherine KermanandAimee LeeandEllen Stewart

April 16, 2026

Read about Sports and Social Media Editors' Arts Recommendations

Students on Their Hopes for the College’s Next President

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

April 9, 2026

A wide range of students on campus tell The Phoenix what they want to see from Swarthmore's next president.

The Fleeting Nature of the Human Experience: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

by Nasrin Ahmed

April 9, 2026

Opinions Editor Nasrin Ahmed '28 examines the difficulties of reckoning with the passage of time through her analysis of American author James Baldwin's "If Beale Street Could Talk".

History on Trial: A Review of ‘The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington’

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

April 9, 2026

A review of James Ijames's "The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington"

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

April 9, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students share their favorite outdoor study spots, discuss how to deal with academic burnout, and pitch some alternative songs for the Clothier bell tower's quarter-hourly toll.