The Phoenix

Swarthmore Motions to Toss Lawsuit Following U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Trans Athletes

November 5, 2026

News

Swarthmore College has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit brought against the college by transgender athlete and alumna Evie Parts ’25.

Faculty Votes to Alter Diversity Language in Tenure Allocation Guidelines

by Erin Picken

November 5, 2026

Faculty recently voted to amend guidelines for tenure-track hires.

Swarthmore Embraces Community College Transfer Students in Keeping with ‘Swarthmore Forward’ Strategic Plan

by Zephyr Weinreich

November 5, 2026

Swarthmore College moves to admit more transfer students from community colleges as

Remembering Dining Hall Worker Brett Day: Reflections from Friends and Colleagues

by Rafi Karpowitz

November 5, 2026

Rafael Karpowitz '27 shares reflections, thoughts, discussions, and stories from Brett's close

Office Hours: Faculty on the Relationship Between Pedagogy and Political Views

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

November 5, 2026

Faculty share their thoughts on how and to what extent professors should

Latest Stories

Fueling the Phoenix: Newly Extended Dining Hall Hours

by Nasif Ataher

November 5, 2026

What You Missed at the Philly Film Fest

by Ben Waters

November 5, 2026

PHILADANCO! Exclaiming Community and Empowerment Through the Visual Arts.

by Yamu Xi

November 5, 2026

Dr. Mackensie Alston Explores Artificial Intelligence as a Bias-Detection Tool

by Alexandra Pryplesh

November 5, 2026

Pierson Lecturer Dr. Mackensie Alston discusses her recent research using artificial intelligence to detect bias in the criminal justice system.

What to Expect from the Midterm Elections Next Week

by Daniel Perrin

October 29, 2026

Millions of Americans will go to the polls next Tuesday amidst rising political dissatisfaction. Here’s what Swatties will see on their ballots, as well

Swarthmore Adds Three Alumni to Board of Managers

by Alissa Lopes

October 29, 2026

Jeremy Brest ’90 and Colin Convey ’97, and Tom Hartnett ’94, P’26 join the college Board of Managers.

Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens on Harriet Tubman as a Medical and Intellectual Pioneer

by James Lewis

October 29, 2026

Dr. Deidre Cooper Owens gives the 2026 James A. Field Endowed Lecture on Harriet Tubman and medical bondage.

Science Center Cafe Cuts Down on Outside Catering, Updates Hot Meal Options

by Cameron Alleyne

October 29, 2026

Science Center Cafe no longer offers Chinese food from Yangtze Inn every day, replacing most meal options with DCC-catered food.

Opinions

Federal Voter ID Legislation is Common Sense

by Trajan Finarelli

November 5, 2026

Trajan Finarelli '30 argues that we should be open to considering the potential merits of stricter Voter ID legislation and proposes some solutions of his own.

The Most Obnoxious Blowhards in America

by Teddy King-Pollet

October 29, 2026

Teddy King-Pollet '28 criticizes a recent deplorable ad campaign and the broad hypocrisy of two prominent right-wing politicians.

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

October 29, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students rank Tri-Co mascots, weigh in on the Garnet Weekend and Halloween overlap, and reflect on their caffeine habits.

Arts

‘La Bola Negra’ Grabs Life by the Balls!

by Zuyuan Zhou

November 5, 2026

A review of “La Bola Negra,” opening in theaters in Philadelphia on Nov. 6

Artist of the Week: Jonas Barr ’27 on Being and Not Being an Artist

by My Nguyen

November 5, 2026

Poet Jonas Barr ’27 on learning what it means to self-identify as an artist

Eyes Wide Open: A Review of ‘You Can See Everything’

by Harper Gowen

October 29, 2026

A review of the documentary “You Can See Everything”

Sports

LeBron James: The 76ers’ New Addition

by Andrew Lufrano

October 29, 2026

On a beautiful Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, LeBron James announced to the world that he would continue his illustrious career by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, eight-million-dollar contract. Widely regarded as the best professional basketball player of all

USWNT Wins Friendly Against Spain in Chester, PA

by Ava Gizzie

October 29, 2026

A crowd of 18,000 chants in unison to the beat of the fan section drums. It’s the 86th minute of the match, and the U.S. Women’s National Team is down 2-1 to reigning World Cup Champions, Spain. The beat continues. The left

Athlete of the Week: Joost Almekinders ’27

by Aimee Lee

October 29, 2026

Joost Almekinders ’27 is a senior captain on the Swarthmore men’s soccer team, capping off his collegiate career with a dominant final season after injuries limited him to just three games during his junior year. Hailing from Arlington, VA, he has tallied

Features

The German 9.11.

by Trajan Finarelli

November 5, 2026

Trajan Finarelli '30 reflects on the complex implications of Nov. 9 for German history.

Fleeting Sketches

by Alice Yang

November 5, 2026

Alice Yang '29 shares her Procreate sketches of people in New York.

McCabe Library: Crossings — Migration Then and Now

by Alice Sheffer

November 5, 2026

Sheffer ‘30 explores McCabe’s current exhibit: “Crossings — Migration Then and Now.”

Photos & Notes: In Reflection on My 2026 Summer

by Megumi Jindo

November 5, 2026

Megumi Jindo '26 reflects on her 2026 summer internship experience in Hiroshima, Japan.

Athlete of the Week: Isabel Adam ’28

by Charlie Watson

November 5, 2026

Outside hitter Isabel Adam ’28 has been lighting it up for the Swarthmore volleyball team this fall. She came into this season with extensive on-court experience, playing in all but one game in her first two years at Swarthmore, and earning All-Centennial

The Process of Constantly Reinventing Myself

by Tyler Li

October 29, 2026

Tyler Li '28 reflects on their experience as a transfer student and their roots that led them to Swarthmore.

Ask the Phoenix: What’s the Status of the Academic Freedom Policy?

by Alexandra Pryplesh

October 29, 2026

A look back at changes to Swarthmore’s Academic Freedom Policy in recent years.

On Dying as an Atheist

by Xinto Xu

October 29, 2026

Xinto Xu '28 shares her reflections on her grandparents' lives and deaths as atheists.

Shared Space: A Review of ‘What’s the Time Back Home’

by Ari Froehlich

October 29, 2026

A review of “What’s the Time Back Home,” a devised theater performance that looked into the shared experience of international students, featuring Swarthmore students on campus.

Garment of Destiny

by Maria Victoria Almarza

October 29, 2026

Maria Victoria Almarza '28 describes the origins of her personal conception of justice and argues that we must work collectively, at Swarthmore and beyond, to reconcile our views of inmates as “outsiders.”

Should Pennsylvania be more like Mississippi?

by Trajan Finarelli

October 29, 2026

Trajan Finarelli '30 argues that Pennsylvania may have something to learn from Mississippi's recent success in education policy, funding, and support.

Artist of the Week: Lucia Pachynski-Hoopes ’27 Lets Her Walls Down

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

October 29, 2026

Actor Lucia Pachynski-Hoopes ’27 on rediscovering the joy of theater through improv and finding balance between embodying characters and being herself.