The Phoenix

Longtime Dining Staff Member Dies Following Injury From College Dishwasher

September 17, 2026

News

Longtime dining staff member Brett Day tragically passed away in the months after a serious injury sustained while working in the dining hall.

Campus Organizers Enter Plea Deal for Pro-Palestinian Encampment Involvement

by Ellen Stewart

September 17, 2026

The nine protestors arrested on campus in May 2025 entered no-contest pleas

25 Years Ago, How Swarthmore Experienced 9/11

by Zephyr Weinreich

September 17, 2026

The Phoenix remembers the September 2001 terror attacks through faculty interviews and

How the Rise of AI Puts Swarthmore’s Values to the Test

by Maria Victoria Almarza

September 17, 2026

Maria Victoria Almarza '28 argues that Swarthmore must reckon with the emergence

Erich Geiger on His New Vision for Swarthmore Dining

by Reina Jones

September 17, 2026

New Executive Director of Dining Erich Geiger discusses increasing dining hall quality

Latest Stories

March of the Blank Placards: Photos from a Fringe Festival Dance Performance on the City Streets

by Amelia Candeub

September 17, 2026

Swat Says: Ed Board Edition

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

September 17, 2026

The Phoenix in Conversation with Former Ambassador David L. Cohen ’77

by Xinto Xu

September 17, 2026

Former Ambassador David L. Cohen ’77 discusses his time in office, the United States’ relationship with Canada, and the liberal arts.

‘Hundreds’ of Acts of Graffiti Spray-Painted Across Campus, Extensive Cleaning Work Ensues

by Ella Walker

May 2, 2026

"Hundreds of acts of vandalism" occurred early morning Friday May 1. The Phoenix captured the before-and-after as a significant cleaning effort rolled out.

Val Smith Sits Down for Spring Interview with The Phoenix

by Daniel Perrin

April 30, 2026

President Val Smith reflects on her presidency, her goals for the rest of her time on campus, and changes at Swarthmore and across higher

Spring ’26 Student Body Poll Results

Rafi KarpowitzandDaniel Perrin

April 30, 2026

The Phoenix releases the results of its third semesterly survey of the student body on key campus issues, topics, and institutions.

Spring ’26 Faculty Poll Results

Daniel PerrinandRafi Karpowitz

April 30, 2026

The Phoenix releases the results of its second semesterly poll of the faculty on key campus institutions, topics, and questions.

Opinions

Swarthmore Needs a CCTV Committee

by The Editorial Board

April 30, 2026

The Phoenix's Editorial Board advocates for the creation of a CCTV committee.

The College Needs a Reset: A Letter From Faculty

by Undersigned Faculty

April 30, 2026

A collection of faculty reflect on the college’s repression of student activism.

Seniors Reflect: ‘There Can and Must Be a Better Swarthmore College’

by Anonymous Students

April 30, 2026

A group of anonymous seniors reflect on the failings they've witnessed and been affected by during their time at Swarthmore and provide a vision and imperative for a better future.

Arts

Artist of the Week: Akira Franco Tanglao-Aguas ’27 on the Roles We Play

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

September 17, 2026

Actor Akira Franco Tanglao-Aguas '27 reflects on the many ways collaboration has impacted his art.

You Belong in the Audience of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera

by Maya Bundy

September 17, 2026

Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera are more accessible to students than you think.

Spoiler Alert: “Hope” is Ridiculous (In a Good Way!)

by Ben Waters

September 17, 2026

Check out our new column 'Spoiler Alert'! This time on the highs and lows of "Hope" (2026).

Sports

Dugout Renovations Continue on Clothier Baseball Field

by Charlie Watson

September 17, 2026

Swarthmore baseball players returned to campus this August to find their dugouts entirely gone, with construction fences taking their place. While potentially shocking to some, the sight was neither unwelcome nor a surprise to the team. The baseball program has been aiming

Athlete of the Week: Libby Castle ’30

by Aimee Lee

September 17, 2026

Libby Castle ’30 is a first-year field hockey player from Marvin, North Carolina. This past Wednesday against York College of Pennsylvania, Castle scored her first collegiate goal to tie the score 2-2 in the third quarter. Less than a minute later, the

Athlete of the Week: Lola Diaz ’26

by Katherine Kerman

April 30, 2026

Lola Diaz ’26, hailing from Portland, OR, and Marbella, Spain, has been an integral part of the Swarthmore women’s tennis team for the past four years. She has been awarded All-Centennial First Team Singles (2024) and All-Centennial First-Team Doubles (2024) and has

Features

Oh, OneCard

by Paris Kampel

September 17, 2026

Paris Kampel '27 draws a comic about being locked out of the dorm.

In Defense of Hobbs

by Kush Kaur

April 30, 2026

Kush Kaur '29 reflects on experience at Hobbs Cafe.

Reflections from a Graduating Senior

by Maya Levine

April 30, 2026

Maya Levine '26 reflects on her years at Swarthmore.

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

March 5, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students share their hot takes on the Oscars, reveal their feelings on midterm season, and discuss plans for spring break.

All in a Giornata: A Photo Gallery

by James Shelton

March 5, 2026

James Shelton's '28 collected photographs from the fresco painting class's open studio event.

Artist of the Week Rafael Karpowitz ’27 Stopped Stressing Over Standards

by Corinne Lafont

March 5, 2026

Pianist Rafael Karpowitz '27 reflects on his musical childhood and the versatility of jazz.

Val Smith Announces Plan to End Presidency After 2026-27 Academic Year

by Daniel Perrin

February 26, 2026

Val Smith announces the upcoming end of her time as Swarthmore president, the community responds and prepares for a period of transition.

Student-Athletes on the Upcoming Cunningham Fields and Fieldhouse Renovations

Alex AvanesyanandLuca CampianiandEli CoganandEllie FermoandJada GreenandKatherine KermanandJames SheltonandThomas Shelton

February 26, 2026

Varsity and club athletes share their thoughts on how the recently proposed renovations of Cunningham Fields and the Fieldhouse will affect them and their teams.

Swarthmore Supports Harvard-Led Lawsuit Defending International Students

by Zephyr Weinreich

February 26, 2026

Swarthmore joins many other higher education institutions in support for Harvard's legal fight for international students.

Resilience in the Face of Oppression: Reflections on Black History Month

by Nasrin Ahmed

February 26, 2026

As BHM concludes, Nasrin Ahmed '28 discusses the importance of telling Black history not simply as a story of oppression and resistance, but instead as one of triumph and excellence.