What’s next for the Class of 2026: Max O’Rourke

By Maddie Pedone ‘26 

“What’s next for the Class of 2026” is a series that features Lafayette grads—where they’re headed, and the mentors, resources, and experiences that inspired their future path. Stay tuned for more stories throughout April and May.

Major:

Art history 

Destination/future plans:

Working for the European Decorative Arts and Sculpture Division at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. 

Involvement on campus: 

Max O’Rourke ’26 has been a part of many musical and artistic groups while at Lafayette. He has been a member of Lafayette Interdisciplinary Music Society (LIMS), jazz combo and the Jazz and World Music Ensemble, as well as teaching music lessons. O’Rourke is also a CaPA Scholar, a program that provides eight to 10 Lafayette students with funds to develop their creativity.   

He is part of the Arts Society, performing and occasionally organizing Art Jam, a musical showcase hosted at the Arts House every Friday. 

O’Rourke studied abroad on three different occasions. During his junior spring, he studied abroad in Berlin, Germany. In summer 2025 as well as over the 2026 winter interim break, O’Rourke went to Italy with Eric R. Hupe, assistant professor of art, to collect data for his research project. 

“We were there for cultural preservation, creating virtual reality models of mostly Renaissance art historical sites,” O’Rourke says. “The idea is that you can use [the VR models] in higher education. So in a lecture hall everybody, including the professor, will have the VR headset on, and then everybody is in the space together.” 

O’Rourke and Hupe traveled all around Italy during their trips in June and January to places such as Florence, Rome, and Ferrara. Information was collected from many different historical sites including the Malatestiana Library and Hertziana Library. 

The experiences that mattered most:

Hupe also played a big role in fostering O’Rourke’s passion for Renaissance art. 

“Hupe’s classes are where I really gained this love of Renaissance art, which I think is really special because I don’t think a lot of undergraduates graduate with a niche, with something they know they love and want to do,” O’Rouke says. 

O’Rourke also notes his performance in fall 2023 with the campus band “Sold Out Six,” a 12-piece band, was a highlight for his musical career. 

“Everybody could really really play and sing… the music was just so fun and then people would get up and dance and there was food afterward. That was one I’ll look back on for a while,” O’Rourke says. 

His music skills have also grown the past four years, and O’Rourke hopes to use his improved musical talents to create an album over the summer. 

Additionally, O’Rourke’s study abroad experiences both during his junior spring in Berlin and two research trips to Italy have been special.      

How Lafayette shaped your future:

O’Rourke believes his Lafayette professors helped him find his passion and shaped his future. 

“I found this passion for art history, and I think the professors I had really fostered that,” he says. “These professors will sometimes put an image on the slideshow, then just turn around and be in awe. It’s really encouraging for you to take it in. It’s art, it’s moving, it’s beautiful, and when you have a professor who knows that and can convey that and open your eyes to what is so special about a space, it’s really important.” 

Why Lafayette?

O’Rourke loves the campus at Lafayette. 

“I just think this is the most beautiful campus I’ve ever been on,” O’Rourke says. “The trees, the atmosphere, there are so many places to be and exist, and play music. I think just the atmosphere and everything is really special.”  

The people who inspired you along the way:

Hupe has been not only his thesis adviser, but has also been an encouraging and inspiring mentor for O’Rourke’s career path in art history. 

“I didn’t even know I wanted to do a thesis until we were in Italy, in the town of Urbino, and we went to the Ducal Palace … we left and I turned to him and said, ‘I’ve got to write a paper about this thing,’ and he was totally on board,” O’Rourke says. “To have people tell me, ‘You can do it; it’s possible, you can make a living and be surrounded by art historians and art’ is very fulfilling.” 

O’Rourke says his classes with Robert Mattison, Marshall R. Metzgar Professor of Art History Emeritus, inspired him to work hard in order to be successful in the field of art history.

Advice for future Leopards: 

O’Rourke encourages future Lafayette students to take classes outside their majors. 

“No matter what your major is, take a class you’re really interested in that has nothing to do with anything,” O’Rourke says. “Give yourself the pleasure of learning.”