Supported by a Gettysburg College education, our students lean into their knowledge, skills, and talents to make a change in their home countries through leadership and service opportunities.

Since 2016, Gettysburg College has partnered with the SHE-CAN scholarship program to enable young women to serve as conduits for change in their home nations of Cambodia, Guatemala, Liberia, and Rwanda. Through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership training, scholars gain the skills and confidence to drive meaningful change. 

At Gettysburg College, this partnership fosters a supportive environment where the following SHE-CAN scholars have thrived academically, personally, and as emerging leaders. Together, these individuals strengthen Gettysburg through leadership, service, and global perspective. Their achievements showcase the power of the SHE-CAN partnership, cultivating changemakers who drive impact on campus and around the world. 

Mishael Ohanwadi ’25, who majored in environmental studies at Gettysburg, personifies the SHE-CAN impact. At Gettysburg, Ohanwadi studied abroad in Seville, Spain, served as a Resident Assistant, and contributed to the College’s sports medicine team.

Through the Garthwait Leadership Certificate and her work as a financial well-being ambassador, Ohanwadi developed leadership and service skills that she continues to apply as an environmental and food policy intern at the Corn Refiners Association, advancing sustainability and improving the lives of Liberian citizens. 

Drawn to community health advocacy, Tawah Tamba ’26, a health sciences major from Liberia, dedicated herself to public health and service. As the founder and CEO of Ayuda Humanitarian Initiatives, she supports vulnerable communities through food distribution and empowerment programs. In 2025, she led a summer initiative in Liberia, Make a Change, focused on menstrual hygiene education and entrepreneurship, helping women produce sustainable menstrual products.

Reflecting on her experience, Tamba said, “Being selected as a SHE-CAN scholar was a dream come true.” She credits Gettysburg’s supportive environment—including the DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship (DCF), the Center for Public Service, the Gettysburg African Student Association (GASA), Campus Kitchen, and WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital—for helping her transform her personal story into acts of purposeful service to others.

Antoinette Weah ’27 of Liberia lives a life of leadership, entrepreneurship, and service. A health sciences major with a business minor, she serves as vice president of the Class of 2027 and is an active member of the Student Senate. In 2025, she took part in the Public Service Immersion Project in Puerto Rico, where she explored issues related to statehood, debt, and entrepreneurship. 

Weah is the founder and CEO of OC CREAM, a business that empowers youth and women in Liberia. She has also led first-aid training initiatives, global immersion experiences, and clinical shadowing. Driven by her vision to strengthen Liberia’s health care and economic systems, Weah continues to build a future rooted in innovation, leadership, and social impact. 

Aspiring to become an international lawyer, Sema Williams ’27 of Liberia focuses on combating marginalization, gender-based violence, and rape in Liberia. At Gettysburg, as an international and global studies and sociology double major, she applies her knowledge to advocacy, research, and community projects like her nonprofit organization, Girls Breaking Barriers, through which she teaches girls about leadership and entrepreneurship and supports access to education for underprivileged high school students. 

“Being selected as a SHE-CAN scholar feels both empowering and humbling,” Williams said. “It means someone saw potential in me and believed in my ability to lead and create change.”

Through the Eisenhower Institute, Center for Public Service, and leadership in GASA (Gettysburg African Student Association), Williams strengthens her voice and skills to champion women’s education and empowerment. 

Nimol Seng ’28, an international and global studies major from Cambodia, brings academic excellence and a global perspective to Gettysburg. She serves as campus ambassador for The Women’s Network, secretary of the Chinese Culture Club, and participates in Model United Nations and the International Affairs Association.

Seng also volunteers on projects addressing food insecurity and sustainability. She strives to strengthen Cambodia’s international development and empower women in her home country. 

Sengly “Lyz” An ’29, a double major in international and global studies and political science from Cambodia, has worked to expand access to education through her role as a communications specialist at Snoopedu, where she helps integrate hands-on STEAM education into Cambodian school curricula. She has also gained experience in digital marketing with Jaikon Team2, supporting the distribution of international films in Cambodia, worked as a private Khmer tutor for expatriates, and contributed to a BBC interview translation project on efforts to address domestic violence in Cambodia.

“Coming from very humble roots, SHE-CAN has eased financial pressures and allowed me to fully immerse myself in my college experience,” An said. She added that she is ready to turn her Gettysburg education into opportunities to create meaningful impact at home and abroad. 

Be empowered to create change in the Gettysburg College community with the Center for Public Service.

Van-Anh Tran ’27, a student Leadership Educator with the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC), co-authored a book chapter on international students’ experiences in leadership positions. Tran drew on research for an anthropology fieldwork methods class at Gettysburg College and an experiential learning opportunity through the GLC.

When Van-Anh Tran ’27 began an ethnographic project for her anthropology fieldwork methods class at Gettysburg College, she couldn’t have anticipated that the assignment would lead to a published work. Through an opportunity with the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) — where she worked as a student Leadership Educator — Tran turned experiential learning of leadership into scholarly insights. Her research appears in the book “International Student Experiences in the United States and Canada: A Multidisciplinary Examination of Challenges, Prospects, and Opportunities” (Star Scholars Press, 2026).

Tran, an anthropology major from Vietnam, designed her anthropology fieldwork methods project around a question that had long interested her. She examined how leadership programs help international students acculturate to U.S. campuses despite the difficulties they face. As an international student herself, she had noticed that conventional ideas of “leadership” often reflect Western cultural norms, favoring assertive, directive communication styles that did not necessarily align with her own background.

“Leadership was honestly a vague idea that’s kind of culturally and socioeconomically biased,” she explained.

Her work at the GLC changed that understanding. Through hands-on experience as a Leadership Educator, Tran learned to embrace “her authentic self and cultural insights,” while also learning how to “serve others’ needs,” she explained.

The opportunity to publish some of her research from her Gettysburg coursework came after Tran attended the 2024 Leadership Educators Institute (LEI) in Philadelphia, made possible by funding from the GLC. There, she met Laura Vaughn, a Ph.D. candidate at Florida State University who was presenting her own research on international students in leadership positions. The two discovered overlapping interests and decided to collaborate on chapter eight of Vaughn’s book.

Despite the logistical challenges of coordinating across time zones, the collaboration proved successful. “Laura was very patient with me, and everything worked out perfectly,” Tran said. 

Tran also observed how program participants and colleagues from diverse backgrounds formed meaningful relationships over time. Those observations served as the foundation for her chapter, which focuses on the GLC’s strategies for fostering authentic leadership and well-being in its programs. Her key finding is that growth and belonging come from trust and autonomy, which must be intentionally built into relationships between facilitators and students.

“Good programming also takes time—lots of it,” she said, noting that educators must listen to student concerns and make appropriate changes over time.

Tran hopes her experience will encourage other international students to pursue majors in the social sciences and humanities. These fields sometimes carry stigma or financial concern among students from developing countries. “I just want to clear that hesitation,” she said. “Anthropology does have a lot of practical applications and career paths that can be lucrative, such as in tech fields.”

Trans credits Gettysburg College’s Anthropology Department—and specifically Chair Donna Lynn Perry—for supporting her academic goals. 

“Gettysburg has an amazing Anthropology Department with professors who are always willing to go the extra mile to help dedicated students achieve their academic and career goals,” Tran said.

Explore your potential to lead and mentor at Gettysburg with the Garthwait Leadership Center.

Gettysburg College’s 191st Commencement celebrated the Class of 2026’s transformation through community, challenge, and A Consequential Education. Their four years here have empowered them to embrace uncertainty, lead with purpose, and be all in for a world that needs them.

With sunshine glistening off the white columns on the Beachem Portico of Pennsylvania Hall, Gettysburg College celebrated the Class of 2026 during its 191st Commencement ceremony, honoring 553 graduates whose journeys to Gettysburg began in communities across the country and around the world. Together, the graduates represented 30 countries, reflecting the breadth, talent, and promise of a class shaped by curiosity, perseverance, and connection.

Before the speeches began, graduates took part in one of the College’s most meaningful Commencement traditions: processing through Pennsylvania Hall toward an expectant crowd of family and friends. The passage marked both an ending and a beginning, as members of the Class of 2026 entered the ceremony as students and prepared to depart as Gettysburg alumni.

In his opening remarks, President Bob Iuliano reflected on the transformation that had taken place over the graduates’ four years at Gettysburg.

“Class of 2026, you passed through Pennsylvania Hall this morning a very different person than you arrived just four years ago,” Iuliano said. “You have been changed, forever. You have been changed because of your own hard work and determination, which we celebrate today.

“You have also been changed by virtue of the people who walked alongside you on your journey,” Iuliano continued, gesturing toward thousands of friends, classmates, family, faculty, and staff assembled across the north lawn between Penn Hall and Musselman Library.

Iuliano reminded graduates that the most lasting lessons often emerge not from certainty, but from challenge. From the moment they arrived on campus, Gettysburg challenged graduates to solve problems and answer questions they may not have known the answers to previously. But through determination and hard work, they discovered solutions and, in doing so, learned more about themselves and what they are capable of achieving.

“Your education at Gettysburg has you ready for those moments.”
– President Bob Iuliano

That ability to navigate complexity, Iuliano said, is central to the Gettysburg experience and increasingly important in a world being reshaped by rapid change. That readiness reflects the promise of A Consequential Education: a unique Gettysburg Approach that helps students connect knowledge, experience, and purpose as they prepare for lives of meaning and impact.

“Your education at Gettysburg has you ready for those moments,” he said. “It has taught you to ‘live the question,’ to embrace the uncomfortable, to be open to the unexpected, to learn, to unlearn, and to relearn. In a world likely to be turned on its head by AI, that may be the most valuable gift with which you will be leaving here today.”

Student speaker Bishruti Rijal ’26, a biology major and neuroscience minor from Kathmandu, Nepal, reflected on the community the Class of 2026 built together and the sense of belonging that will endure beyond Commencement. At Gettysburg, Rijal shaped her community through the many opportunities she pursued, including serving as a residence coordinator, working with the Center for Global Education, conducting research in psychology and through the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG), giving campus tours through Admissions, and engaging with the Center for Public Service, Garthwait Leadership Center, and Eisenhower Institute. She was also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi.

“We built community here. The kind that shows up,” Rijal said. “The people around you here are not just your college friends. They are not just a chapter in your life that ends today. They are proof that you already know how to do hard things. They are how you’ll do the next hard thing, too. They are your lifeboat as you embark on life’s next great journey.”

Rijal, who crossed an ocean while travelling 8,000 miles to find a home at Gettysburg, encouraged her classmates to trust the resilience they had already demonstrated.

“We leave here with knowledge, perspective, and resilience, but most importantly, we leave here knowing how to find our footing in unfamiliar places, because we already proved that we could,” she said.

Commencement speaker Kate Anderson ’09 returned to her alma mater with a message rooted in creativity, courage, and persistence. An acclaimed songwriter and librettist, Anderson has built a career across stage, film, and television, including work with Apple TV’s “Central Park,” Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” and internationally produced musicals such as “Between the Lines” and “The Book Thief.”

“Take a leap of faith and do something—and when it gets uncomfortable, don’t give up.”
– Kate Anderson ’09

Anderson noted it wasn’t that long ago when she was sitting in the same position as the graduates outside Penn Hall, wondering what was next. It was a scary moment she recalled, filled with trepidation about the unknown journey ahead.

“The fear of failure or shame keeps us from doing so much,” Anderson told the graduates. “And that is dumb. Because you know what people don’t remember when you succeed? The part where you were vulnerable or ‘cringey.’ If we never take risks, we never see rewards.”

Anderson spoke candidly about setbacks, rejection, and the value of perseverance. Just a few years after leaving Gettysburg, she applied to the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in New York, a decision that changed her life. She met her writing partner, Elyssa Samsel, and together they worked tirelessly toward their goal of making it in the music industry. They eventually got their big break with “Between the Lines,” a musical based on the book written by best-selling author Jodi Picoult.

“Many, many, many times it would have been easy to drop the bit, to give up and give in,” said Anderson, who majored in music with a creative writing minor. “Instead, we stayed in character. In retrospect, the humbling moments in a career are often the most important.”

Anderson also reminded graduates that confidence and humility are not opposites, but partners. Confidence, Anderson said, helps people speak up when they have something meaningful to contribute, while humility allows them to recognize when it is time to listen. That balance, she emphasized, is essential to collaboration—bringing one’s own gifts to the table while trusting others to help build something stronger than anyone could create alone.

Then, echoing Iuliano’s call to embrace discomfort and uncertainty, Anderson challenged the Class of 2026 to persist through the moments when the path ahead feels unclear.

“So, I challenge you, Class of 2026. Commit to the bit,” she said. “Take a leap of faith and do something, and when it gets uncomfortable, don’t give up. Because something magical might happen. You might inspire someone else to do the same.”

The ceremony also included the conferral of honorary degrees to Anderson; James G. Basker, historian, literary scholar, educator, and president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History; Susan Eisenhower, policy strategist, author, and longtime leader with the Eisenhower Institute; and Chad Smith, president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

After graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees, waving to family members as they walked in front of Penn Hall and embracing faculty mentors off stage, the ceremony culminated with the recognition of the final two members of the Class of 2026: salutatorian Alice Mai-Anh Ngoc Nguyen ’26, a mathematical economics major from An Giang, Vietnam, and valedictorian Rebecca Ruggles ’26, a history major from Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland.

In his charge to the Class of 2026, Iuliano connected the themes of the day—community, uncertainty, authenticity, and courage—into a final call to action.

“My charge to you is simply this: be all in,” he said. “Be all in for your family and your friends. Be all in for your colleagues and communities. Be all in for a world that needs you.”

With that charge, the bell atop Glatfelter Hall began to ring and the Class of 2026 stepped into the world as Gettysburg College alumni—prepared to lead lives of consequence, to meet uncertainty with resilience, and to remain all in for the communities and causes that need them most.

Read President Iuliano’s full Commencement remarks.

Before heading off to Massachusetts for the next round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship, eight senior student-athletes were honored in a Special Commencement ceremony inside the College Union Building (CUB) Ballroom on Tuesday, May 12.

A tradition dating back 20 years, Special Commencement is a unique graduation event for student-athletes who may miss the main Commencement festivities due to NCAA playoff competition. This year’s event marked the 16th early graduation celebrated at Gettysburg since 2006.

“It’s special to have been part of this for four years,” said team captain Camryn Epstein ’26, a health sciences major from Medford, New Jersey. “We get to celebrate with the people who have been with us since the beginning. It’s just really meaningful and shows what our whole experience was like at Gettysburg.”

Joining Epstein on stage were Lauren Bloch ’26 from Westfield, New Jersey; Nora Crowther ’26 from Randolph, New Jersey; Julia Daly ’26 from McLean, Virginia; Sophia Liott ’26 from Ambler, Pennsylvania; Nina Marra ’26 from Ridgewood, New Jersey; Maddie Passarello ’26 from West Chester, Pennsylvania; and Dillon Troy ’26 from Mamaroneck, New York.

President Bob Iuliano, participating in his fifth consecutive Special Commencement, welcomed the graduates, family members, and teammates inside the newly renovated Ballroom. Iuliano was quick to note the unique opportunity Special Commencement affords those in attendance “to witness firsthand what has made your team so successful.”

“The way you celebrate one another,” he continued. “The way you uplift one another. The way you support and care for one another, as friends and as teammates.”

“A team is built by those who put others above themselves for the good of a shared goal.”
– President Bob Luliano

A native Bostonian, Iuliano relayed the plight of his hometown baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, and the decades of consternation surrounding their quest for a championship. Facing insurmountable odds in the 2004 American League Championship Series, a spark provided by pinch runner Dave Roberts helped propel the Sox to a come-from-behind series win against the rival New York Yankees and eventually, the club’s first World Series title in 86 years.

Iuliano pointed out the necessity of teams having selfless, committed players, what he called “glue guys,” who aren’t concerned with glory and records. They work for the betterment of the group.

“I share that story because, in many ways, our world needs more ‘glue guys’—more teammates who make everyone around them better,” Iuliano said. “A team is built by those who put others above themselves for the good of a shared goal."

Speaking on behalf of the faculty, Spanish Prof. Radost Rangelova applauded the graduates’ work on and off the field and the contributions they have made to the liberal arts. Those contributions may end as undergraduates at Gettysburg, but the opportunity to share the knowledge and skills they have gained during their four years remains ahead.

“This is a beautiful celebration, but do not take it as a conclusion,” Rangelova said. “Commencement is the final point of one thing and the beginning of another. What I want to urge you to do today is to take the next step, and to make it intentionally and earnestly meaningful.”

“One day, you will turn back and look in wonder at how much you have grown and at how purposefully and resolutely you have made a difference.”
– Spanish Prof. Radost Rangelova

From national championship game appearances and program records to academic honors and graduate schools, the women’s lacrosse seniors leave a legacy of success and a list of standards for future generations of Gettysburgians to aspire to. Moreover, their experiences at Gettysburg have prepared them for their lives after graduation.

“Make the accomplishments that you celebrate today a stepping stone toward larger and meaningful objectives,” Rangelova said. “And I promise you that, one day, you will turn back and look in wonder at how much you have grown and at how purposefully and resolutely you have made a difference.”

Before recessing to Pennsylvania Hall to make the journey up the south stairway and through the doors on the north portico—mirroring the same trek they made as first-years four years ago—Iuliano had one final charge for the new graduates as they step out into the world: be all in.

“Dedicate yourself to being a great teammate—a ‘glue guy’—in every facet of your life,” Iuliano said. “Challenge yourself to take what you’ve learned here and apply it to something bigger than yourself, always in service to those who need you. Give fully of yourself to your relationships, to your careers, and to the causes that have been in search of your talents and drive.”

The women’s lacrosse team will travel to Medford, Massachusetts, to meet No. 4 Tufts University on Saturday, May 16, at 10:30 a.m., in the third round of the NCAA Division III Championship. The winner will meet either Williams College or Colorado College on Sunday, May 17, with a trip to the national semifinals on the line.

Join us for the Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 16, 2026.

From day one, Gettysburg College students find their community on campus. The lifelong friendships formed through academics, activities, and residential living flourish beyond their four years here.

At Gettysburg College, students Do Great Work with support from the community. All across campus—in classrooms, labs, residence halls, the Dining Center, Stine Lake, athletics facilities, recital halls, and more—Gettysburgians meet new people and forge lifelong friendships. 

Connections through Campus Recreation

Experiencing his first winter in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was an adjustment for psychology major and Argentina native Lucio Correa ’29. During the College’s winter break, Correa was fortunate to have connected with Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Annette Hunt-Shepherd, who offered him an on-campus student employment opportunity as a fitness attendant at the John F. Jaeger Center for Athletics, Recreation, and Fitness. There, he met economics major Axel Barrantes ’26, a fellow Campus Recreation student employee from Costa Rica.

“He became like an older brother to me,” Correa said. “Over time, our friendship evolved. We became teammates, co-workers, and even fraternity brothers. Together, we celebrated victories, like winning the three-on-three intramural basketball championship, and endured close losses that mattered just as much.”

“Axel’s energy, generosity, and commitment to the Gettysburg community have shaped the way I see my role within it. Although he is graduating this year, his influence will remain with me. Inspired by his example, I accepted a position as an intramural supervisor, determined to give back to the same community that welcomed me during my most uncertain moment.”
– Lucio Correa ’29
Psychology major

Roommates through Residence Life

Ella Prieto ’26 and Riley Nolan ’26 are what you’d call the ultimate BFFs. The two met during Orientation in Fall 2022, after both signed up for a random roommate assignment. They were placed in Rice Hall, Room 330, their first year.

“We first DM’d over Instagram when the roommate names were released, scheduling a FaceTime call where we bonded over loving One Direction in middle school. I taught her that even though Gettysburg was in Sheetz territory, Wawa is infinitely better,” said Prieto, a public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies double major from West Chester, Pennsylvania.

When Orientation arrived, Nolan, who was participating in the Garthwait Leadership Center’s (GLC) Ascent Pre-Orientation, invited Prieto to hang out with everyone she’d met through Ascent. There, they formed a bond that has lasted throughout their four years at Gettysburg.

“I cannot emphasize enough how loyal a friend she is and how consistently she will show up for the people she cares about,” said Nolan, an environmental studies and anthropology double major from Newmarket, New Hampshire.

“I came into college an emotional wreck, and Riley did not bat an eye, simply offering a shoulder to cry on at every turn. It has been so amazing to always be able to live together relatively easily.”
– Ella Prieto ’26
Public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies double major

“Aside from simply pairing us together our first year, the Residential Education system at Gettysburg has made it easy for us to live together, from allowing us to apply as a unit to theme housing to making it easy to find housing for half a year before we went abroad.”
– Riley Nolan ’26
Environmental studies and anthropology double major

Friendship through scholarship

Whether it’s in the classrooms, at the lab bench, or through experiential learning opportunities beyond campus, Gettysburg students build bonds with others through shared academic activities. That’s how Roland Stevens ’28, a mathematics major from Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, met Anindo Majumder ’27, a mathematics and computer science double major from Bangladesh.

“Anindo and I met through Abstract Mathematics II (MATH 315) here last spring,” Stevens said. “We shared similar interests in math, and, more recently, we’ve connected again since I am interested in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics abroad program. We also like to talk about future courses and opportunities in math-related programs and subjects at the College.”

“MATH 315 was a difficult course,” Majumder said, “but working with Roland during the PLA sessions made it a lot better. We connected a lot during these sessions and discovered that we had a shared interest for mathematical research.”

“Anindo and I hit it off right away since we both attended many of the Exploratorium PLA sessions and worked together on lots of problems.”
– Roland Quinn Stevens ’28
Mathematics major

“Roland is interested in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program, and since I’ve already done that, we’ve been talking a lot about all the amazing math-related opportunities that come with the program.”
– Anindo Majumder ’27
Mathematics and computer science double major

Bonds through life’s big moments

Sarah (Pagliocco) Shehata ’15 and Katherine (Fila) Kraus ’15 first met through the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC). They were both drawn to the GLC for the same reasons—a love of building community, connecting over shared ideas, and a drive to always make things a little better.

What began as a GLC connection turned into a real friendship. “We even reconnected while studying abroad in 2013—proof that no matter where we went, we kept finding our way back to each other,” Kraus said. “By our senior year, we were inseparable, and we closed out our time at Gettysburg with a meaningful trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s still one of our favorite shared memories.”

More than 10 years later, Pagliocco and Kraus remain closely connected through Gettysburg. They’ve stood by each other as bridesmaids in one another’s weddings and now spend time together in each other’s homes, catching up with Sarah’s babies, their partners, and their pets.

“The GLC didn’t just introduce us— it gave us the foundation for a lifelong friendship, and we will always be grateful for that.”
– Katherine (Fila) Kraus ’15
English major with a writing concentration

“What started as being placed as roommates for a few weeks of Leadership Mentor training before we each left for our respective study abroad trips turned into a lifelong friendship. I am so grateful that the GLC brought Katherine and me together.”
– Sarah (Pagliocco) Shehata ’15
Intra-organizational dynamics major

At Gettysburg College, you’re never just a number. Foster connections with our community from day one.

Kate Anderson ’09 returns to Gettysburg as the Commencement speaker with a career spanning Broadway, Disney, and television. In this Q&A, she reflects on her campus experiences, creative journey, and the lessons that shaped her path from student to acclaimed songwriter.

When Kate Anderson ’09 returns to Gettysburg College as the Class of 2026 Commencement speaker on May 16, it will mark a full-circle moment for a songwriter whose work now spans Broadway, London’s West End, and major film and television projects. She brings a global creative perspective shaped by years in the industry back to the place where her artistic journey took root.

A music major and creative writing minor, Anderson immersed herself in the arts during her time on campus, performing with the College Choir, singing with the Four Scores a cappella group, and appearing in numerous theater productions, while also participating in Greek life. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, she found both a creative home and a close-knit community that helped launch her career.

Today, Anderson is a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle–nominated songwriter and librettist whose credits include the Apple TV series “Central Park,” Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” and the off-Broadway musical “Between the Lines,” as well as “The Book Thief” and “Austenland.” Alongside her longtime collaborator Elyssa Samsel, she has also contributed music to Disney projects including “Zootopia+” and “Prep & Landing,” and recently wrote the opening number for Kristen Bell at the 2026 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Learn more about this year’s Commencement speaker.

Q: What brought you to Gettysburg College?

“I really didn’t know much about Gettysburg at first. My dad—John Anderson ’67, P’09—is an alum, so it was the first stop on a college tour he planned. But when we got to campus, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, this is really beautiful.’ I could immediately picture myself here.

“The more I explored—student groups, the arts scene, talking to current students—the more I became obsessed with Gettysburg. I applied Early Decision, and when I got in, I was all in. It just felt right from the start.”

Q: How did Gettysburg’s arts programs shape your college experience?

“It was such an exciting time to be at Gettysburg. The Conservatory was taking shape, and the Majestic Theater had just reopened after going through renovations. I was part of the first performances there, and it felt like working in a real professional theater.

“That environment made me feel like I was part of a school that was really elevating the arts. There were more opportunities, more resources, and it absolutely contributed to me eventually declaring a music major.”

Q: Which campus activities had the biggest impact on you?

“College Choir was everything for me. It felt like being on a sports team—very rigorous, very committed, and incredibly rewarding. The music we sang is still part of me. Even now, if I listen to choral music, it transports me right back.

“I was also heavily involved in theater and a cappella, and those experiences really shaped who I am creatively. They gave me both the training and the confidence that I still draw on today.”

“That environment made me feel like I was part of a school that was really elevating the arts.”
– Kate Anderson ’09

Q: Who influenced your path at Gettysburg?

“Kristen Eyssell, my first-year psychology professor, had a huge impact on me. I took as many classes with her as I could. In the arts, Sunderman Conservatory of Music Profs. Rob Natter and Kathleen Sasnett, and Adams Professor in Theatre Arts Chris Kaufman ’92 were incredibly influential.

“They encouraged me to keep pursuing the arts and really believed in me. I’ve stayed in touch with many of them, and that kind of lasting connection says everything about the Gettysburg experience.”

Q: What were some of your favorite memories outside the classroom?

“I loved the everyday campus moments—spending time at the Bullet Hole, hanging out in the CUB, and just talking with people as they passed through. That sense of community was huge for me.

“I also did intramural basketball—badly—but it was so much fun. It was never about the sport for me; it was about the group experience and just being part of something with friends.”

Q: What were the key turning points in your career after Gettysburg?

“My first job was in development at The Public Theater, which was exciting, but I wasn’t on the creative side. The real turning point was getting into the BMI Lehrman Engel Musical Theater Writing Workshop—that changed everything.

“From there, my writing partner and I were hired to work on ‘Between the Lines,’ which launched our careers. That led to opportunities with Disney and beyond. A lot of it has been persistence and just going above and beyond every chance we got.”

“I loved the everyday campus moments—spending time at the Bullet Hole, hanging out in the CUB, and just talking with people as they passed through. That sense of community was huge for me.”
– Kate Anderson ’09

Q: Do you have a favorite project you’ve worked on?

“They’ve all been meaningful in different ways, but ‘Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’ stands out. It was such a perfect combination of people and environment. Everyone was at the top of their game, and the process felt joyful and collaborative from start to finish.

“It was also one of the first times I felt truly valued for what I brought to the table. That experience gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.”

Q: What advice would you share with graduating seniors?

“I think following your passion and listening to that inner voice—what actually feeds your soul—is really important. When you do that, everything else becomes clearer, and you have more energy to give to the world.

“It’s easy to trade that in for something more practical, but I truly believe we’re all better off when we pursue what drives us. There’s a reason certain things light you up, and it’s important not to ignore that.”

Join us for the Class of 2026 Commencement Exercises on May 16!

From student-athletes and campus advocates to researchers, writers, and public servants, the Gettysburg College’s Class of 2026 reflects the impact of a liberal arts education shaped by meaningful relationships, hands-on experiences, and a strong sense of community.

The members of Gettysburg College’s Class of 2026 found countless ways to make the most of their time on campus—through research and internships, athletics and student organizations, community engagement, and leadership opportunities. Across disciplines and experiences, they embraced the College’s liberal arts approach to learning, developing the skills and relationships that will guide them long after graduation.

From student-athletes and campus advocates to aspiring health care professionals, scientists, writers, and public servants, these graduates reflect the breadth of the Gettysburg experience. Their stories highlight the impact of mentorship, hands-on learning, and meaningful community connections while demonstrating how Gettysburg prepares students to lead lives of consequence in an ever-changing world.

Ethan Acevedo ’26
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Ethan Acevedo ’26 built his Gettysburg College experience around service, leadership, and community engagement. A health sciences major, he served as a program coordinator in the Center for Public Service (CPS), Health Sciences peer learning associate (PLA), and Student Senate member, while also participating in the Latin American Student Association (LASA). Through these roles, he developed a strong commitment to supporting others and creating inclusive spaces on campus. “Each role pushed me to grow and think about how I can make a difference in my community,” he said. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in rural primary care.

Saiman Adhikari ’26
Dumre Bazaar, Bandipur, Nepal

Saiman Adhikari ’26 embraced opportunities for leadership and mentorship throughout his time at Gettysburg College. A biochemistry and molecular biology major, he served as a leadership educator at the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC), helping fellow students navigate programs centered on personal growth and community engagement. Adhikari studied abroad in Norway and conducted scientific research through the Cross-Disciplinary Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG), the Knight Cancer Institute, and Johns Hopkins University. Through these leadership roles, he strengthened his communication and facilitation skills while learning how to support others in meaningful ways. “Being a leadership educator allowed me to reflect on my own experiences while helping others find their path,” he said. After graduation, he plans to work as a research associate and attend graduate school for biomedical science.

Denae Bowen ’26
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Denae Bowen ’26 found her voice at Gettysburg College through leadership, advocacy, and storytelling. As president of the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Anti-Racist Collective, she helped create opportunities for dialogue, connection, and community-building across campus. Bowen paired that work with her studies as an English major with a writing concentration, using writing as a way to explore identity and expression. “Being part of BSU allowed me to connect with others and grow into a stronger leader,” she said. After graduation, Bowen looks forward to getting her CNA certification and working full-time for a year before going to cosmetology school.

Julie Breedveld ’26
Wayne, Pennsylvania

Julie Breedveld explored the intersection of finance, leadership, and experiential learning during her time at Gettysburg College. A business, organizations, and management major with an economics minor, she strengthened her analytical and communication skills through finance coursework, campus involvement, and a Vanguard Business Leadership Internship. Breedveld also found community through Chi Omega and the women’s lacrosse program. “Learning how to analyze complex problems, collaborate with diverse teams, and make disciplined decisions will shape how I approach my future career in finance,” she said. After graduation, Breedveld will continue with Vanguard through its two-year Accelerated Career Development Program.

Malachi Briscoe ’26
California, Maryland

Malachi Briscoe ’26 built his Gettysburg College experience through leadership across athletics, campus employment, and student organizations. A business, organizations, and management major, he served as a coordinator at the College’s fitness center, helping manage schedules and daily operations. Briscoe also helped lead the men’s basketball team to its first Centennial Conference championship in 17 years and served as president of the Gettysburg College Fashion Initiative. These experiences strengthened his leadership and communication skills. “Working in different roles on campus helped me learn how to manage responsibility in real time,” he says. After graduation, Briscoe will return to Everest Global—where he interned last summer—to work as an associate underwriter at its U.S. headquarters in Warren, New Jersey.

Marisa Conners ’26
Belle Mead, New Jersey

Marisa Conners ’26 combined academic focus with deep campus involvement and civic engagement during her time at Gettysburg College. A public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies major, she participated in color guard with the Bullets Marching Band. She served as an It’s On Us Fellow and member of the Hillel Executive Board. She also found community through the Half Sole Dance Company and Student Disability Network. “Gettysburg has given me the chance to explore issues I care about and see how change happens,” she said. Conners plans to continue her work in public service after graduation through an internship with New Jersey State Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Ana Carolina Delena Cury ’26
São Paulo, Brazil

A global perspective and a passion for interdisciplinary learning shaped Ana Carolina Delena Cury’s ’26 Gettysburg College experience. An economics and Spanish major with a minor in data science, she embraced the College’s liberal arts approach to connect ideas across cultures and academic fields. Through her coursework and leadership roles in Residential Education, Alpha Delta Pi, and Student Senate, she strengthened her adaptability and intercultural fluency. “Gettysburg gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in different areas and grow in ways I never expected,” she said. After graduation, she plans to return to Bradesco Bank in Miami, Florida—where she held an internship during her junior year—and continue gaining experience in the finance industry.

Julia Daly ’26
McLean, Virginia

Julia Daly ’26 balanced academic achievement with elite athletic success during her time at Gettysburg College. A business major with minors in economics and education, she became one of the most accomplished players in the history of the women’s lacrosse program, earning All-American honors, Centennial Conference Attacker of the Year, and finishing as the program’s all-time leader in goals scored. Off the field, she held leadership roles in Chi Omega sorority, worked in the athletics equipment room and athletics training room, and studied abroad in France. “My coaches made a huge impact on my experience and pushed me to be my best both on and off the field,” she said. After graduation, Daly plans to pursue a career in business.

Maximillion Ferguson ’26
Dix Hills, New York

Maximillion Ferguson ’26 developed a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork through his involvement in Gettysburg College athletics. A political science major, he worked in the athletic equipment room, supporting teams behind the scenes and helping ensure practices and competitions ran smoothly. He was also a staff writer for The Gettysburgian, a DJ at the campus radio station, and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Through these experiences, Ferguson learned the importance of preparation, organization, and consistency. “Working in equipment operations showed me how much preparation and attention to detail go into every game,” he said. After graduation, Ferguson plans to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal field.

Conor Grubb ’26
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Conor Grubb ’26 spent his four years at Gettysburg College actively engaged in student leadership and campus advocacy. A chemistry major, he served in Student Senate all four years, working alongside peers and administrators to represent student voices and improve campus life. Grubb was also a member of Sceptical Chymists and the German Club, worked as a teaching assistant in Chemistry, and studied abroad in Germany. Through these experiences, he strengthened his communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. “Being part of Student Senate gave me the opportunity to make a real impact on campus,” he said. Grubb credits his involvement with helping him better understand collaboration and service. After graduation, he looks forward to applying the skills he developed at Gettysburg toward a career in chemistry.

Cassidy Haines ’26
Ocean City, New Jersey

For Cassidy Haines ’26, Gettysburg College became a place to grow creatively, academically, and personally. An English major with a writing concentration, she developed her voice through coursework and collaborative writing environments while building meaningful connections with classmates and friends. “Some of my favorite memories are the late nights spent working and laughing with friends,” she said. Haines was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma—where she served a term as president—and was the magazine editor for The Gettysburgian. She credits Gettysburg’s close-knit community with encouraging her growth as both a writer and collaborator. After graduation, she plans to work in communications or college advancement before pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

Will Hedley ’26
Charlotte, North Carolina

Will Hedley ’26 combined academic success with high-level athletic achievement and professional experience during his time at Gettysburg College. An economics major, he earned All-American honors as a defenseman on the men’s lacrosse team while helping lead the Bullets to three NCAA Division III playoff appearances and a Centennial Conference championship in 2026. Off the field, Hedley participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and completed internships that connected classroom learning with real-world business experience. “My internships gave me a clearer sense of how I can use what I’ve learned beyond the classroom,” he said. After graduation, he will work for a family office land development firm in Fort Worth, Texas.

Rachel Herr ’26
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Rachel Herr ’26 used her time at Gettysburg College to build a strong foundation for a career in public service. A public policy and Spanish double major, she gained hands-on experience working with the Public Policy Department, connecting classroom learning with real-world policy work. Herr also traveled out of the country for the first time as a student at Gettysburg, participating in immersion trips to Morocco and Costa Rica with the Center for Public Service and studying abroad in Spain. Those opportunities helped her strengthen her adaptability and deepen her understanding of government and advocacy. “Gettysburg has given me opportunities to apply what I’ve learned in meaningful, real-world ways,” she said. Herr credits her academic and professional experiences with preparing her for the next step in her career. After graduation, she plans to work in the Pennsylvania state government before obtaining a master’s degree in public administration.

Will Hetzel ’26
Paoli, Pennsylvania

Will Hetzel ’26 embraced a multidisciplinary college experience that blended academics, the arts, and campus involvement. An environmental science major, he participated in the Bullets Marching Band and Symphony Band, was president of Sigma Nu, and worked as an Admissions tour guide. Through these experiences, Hetzel developed teamwork, adaptability, and a strong sense of community. “Being involved in so many different areas helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect,” he said. He credits his campus involvement with broadening both his perspective and interests during his four years at Gettysburg. After graduation, Hetzel plans to use his skills in GIS and spatial analysis to help with land planning and management in the environmental field.

Dejah Hill ’26
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Dejah Hill ’26 demonstrated initiative and leadership throughout her time at Gettysburg College by founding and leading Minorities in STEM. A health sciences and biology double major, she created a space that fostered representation, support, and connection for students in the sciences. Through this work and additional leadership roles in Biology and Student Senate, Hill developed confidence, organizational skills, and a commitment to helping others succeed. “Starting something of my own pushed me outside my comfort zone and showed me what I’m capable of,” she said. After graduation, she plans to attend dental school and continue her path in health care.

Mary Huegel ’26
Marlboro, New Jersey

Mary Huegel ’26 excelled as a student-athlete during her time at Gettysburg College. A biochemistry and molecular biology major, she earned Academic All-American and All-American honors as a member of the volleyball team while also serving as a coordinator in the Jaeger Center for Athletics, Recreation, and Fitness, vice president of Sceptical Chymists, a teaching assistant in Chemistry, and a residential assistant. Huegel also conducted research as part of the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG). Through athletics and academics, Huegel developed discipline, resilience, and teamwork skills that prepared her for future opportunities. “Being part of a team taught me how to lead and support others while pushing myself to improve,” she said. After graduation, she will continue her research journey at the National Institutes of Health for the next two years before applying to medical school.

Alfredo Roman Jordan ’26
Madrid, Spain

Alfredo Roman Jordan ’26 combined academic rigor with campus leadership throughout his time at Gettysburg College. A physics major, he served as student body president, working closely with students, faculty, and administrators to advocate for initiatives that strengthened campus life and fostered community dialogue. Jordan also conducted research for three summers through the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG) and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Through his leadership experiences, Jordan developed strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while balancing the demands of a challenging academic program. “Serving in this role taught me how to listen, lead, and create meaningful change,” he said. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physics and continue his passion for research.

Adib Kabir ’26
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Adib Kabir ’26 combined academic excellence with hands-on scientific research during his time at Gettysburg College. A physics major, Kabir was recognized nationally as a Rossing Physics Scholar for his work and potential in the field, an honor awarded to outstanding undergraduate physics students from colleges and universities across the country. Through research opportunities and close faculty mentorship, he deepened his passion for problem-solving and discovery while strengthening his analytical and technical skills. “Research helped me see physics as a collaborative process built on curiosity and persistence,” he said. Kabir credits Gettysburg’s supportive academic environment with preparing him for future scientific work. After graduation, he plans to continue his studies and pursue a career in physics research.

Athena Komitas ’26
Belmar, New Jersey

Athena Komitas ’26 centered her Gettysburg College experience on mentorship and academic support. As a peer learning associate for microbiology and introductory biology, she worked closely with students to reinforce challenging concepts and build confidence in STEM courses. A health sciences major, Komitas developed strong communication and teaching skills while helping others succeed. “Being a PLA helped me grow more confident in my ability to explain and connect with others,” she said. Komitas held leadership roles with Alpha Delta Pi, including vice president of operations, served as vice president of the ski club, sang in the choir, and worked as a student athletic trainer. After graduation, Komitas plans to work as a patient care technician at Jersey Shore University Medical Center while applying to PA school.

Leah Nath ’26
Ellicott City, Maryland

Leah Nath ’26 embraced the interdisciplinary opportunities at Gettysburg College to explore her passions for environmental studies, writing, and creative expression. An environmental studies major with a writing minor, Nath immersed herself in campus life through research, creative projects, and experiential learning opportunities that connected science and storytelling. Her work has included environmental writing, artistic exploration, and field research experiences, all of which have deepened her understanding of the natural world. “Gettysburg became a place where I could explore so many different interests and see how they connect,” she said. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate study and a career in science communication through the arts and humanities.

Riley Nolan ’26
Newmarket, New Hampshire

Riley Nolan ’26 embraced experiential learning and outdoor leadership throughout her time at Gettysburg College. An anthropology and environmental studies major, she served as a leadership educator at the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC), guiding outdoor trips that encouraged resilience, teamwork, and connection with nature. Nolan also studied abroad in Norway and participated in College programs that allowed her to explore Chile, Iceland, Mexico, and Colorado. Through these experiences, Nolan strengthened her leadership skills while helping others grow outside the classroom. “Leading trips helped me grow more confident in myself and my ability to support others,” she said. After graduation, she will work with the Appalachian Mountain Club as a professional trail crew member on trail restoration projects in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Ella Prieto ’26
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Ella Prieto ’26 built community while developing her voice as a student leader and writer at Gettysburg College. As a public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies major with a writing minor, she served as editor-in-chief of The Gettysburgian, helping guide campus storytelling and conversation. Prieto also found connection through leadership roles in Greek life as a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, president of the Panhellenic Council, and president of the Order of Omega. “Gettysburg introduced me to communities that challenged and supported me in the best ways,” she said. Prieto learned the power of resiliency and the importance of intercultural fluency while studying abroad in Germany. After graduation, Prieto plans to work in student services, helping others find the same sense of belonging she experienced.

Bishruti Rijal ’26
Kathmandu, Nepal

Bishruti (Bish) Rijal ’26 was selected to represent the Class of 2026 as the student speaker during Commencement for the Class of 2026. A biology major and neuroscience minor, Rijal studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary, during her junior year. She served as a residence coordinator (RC) and worked for the Center for Global Education (CGE). Her research experience includes serving as a research assistant in the Psychology Department and the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG). Rijal has also provided campus tours through the Office of Admissions and engaged in programming through the Center for Public Service, Garthwait Leadership Center, and the Eisenhower Institute. She was also a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. “I found so much of my community at Gettysburg,” she said. “I wish we had more Stoles of Gratitude because there are so many people here I’m grateful for.” Rijal is currently applying for jobs in the research tech industry, where she hopes to work in translational medicine or neurogenetics.

Emma Smith ’26
Westport, Connecticut

Emma Smith ’26 developed strong leadership skills and meaningful campus connections during her time at Gettysburg College. A psychology major, she served as president of Alpha Omicron Pi and was actively involved in the Panhellenic Council, helping foster collaboration and community within Greek life. Through these leadership roles, Smith strengthened her confidence, communication skills, and ability to support others. “Getting involved on campus helped me step outside my comfort zone and connect with people in new ways,” she said. Smith credits her campus involvement with shaping her approach to leadership and personal growth as she prepares for her next steps after graduation.

Nicole Watson ’26
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Nicole Watson ’26 embraced global learning and interdisciplinary study throughout her time at Gettysburg College. An anthropology and international and global studies major, she explored cultural and political issues while also working in the Center for Student Success, where she supported fellow students in their academic journeys. Watson was also a member of Alpha Delta Pi, studied abroad in France, and conducted archaeological excavations in Belize. Through these experiences, Watson strengthened her ability to think critically and engage with different perspectives. “Gettysburg has challenged me to think critically about the world and my place in it,” she said. After graduation, she will attend the Geneva Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland, to pursue a master’s degree in international and development studies.

Michael Zrelak ’26
Monroe, New York

Michael Zrelak ’26 developed leadership, discipline, and resilience through his involvement in athletics and campus organizations at Gettysburg College. A health sciences major, he was a two-time All-Centennial Conference First Team selection at running back and rushed for over 1,000 yards while serving as team captain in his final season. Off the field, Zrelak expanded his leadership roles as vice president and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Through these experiences, Zrelak strengthened his communication skills and learned the importance of leading by example. “Being part of a team taught me how to lead by example and stay focused on long-term goals,” he said. After graduation, he plans to attend optometry school.

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Gettysburg College will honor alumni for outstanding achievement and service during Spring Honors Day and Reunion Weekend. Recipients represent diverse fields and lasting impact, exemplifying the College’s mission through professional excellence, leadership, and continued engagement with the Gettysburg community.

Gettysburg College will honor a distinguished group of alumni whose professional achievements, leadership, and service reflect the enduring impact of a Gettysburg education. This year’s award recipients have made meaningful contributions across diverse fields, including medicine, business, law, education, public service, and community advocacy, while maintaining strong and lasting ties to the College.

The Distinguished Alumni Award winners will be recognized during Spring Honors Day at Christ Chapel on Friday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. The remaining alumni award recipients—including honorees for career achievement, service, and meritorious contributions—will be celebrated during Reunion Weekend on Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. as part of the President’s Address and Alumni Awards ceremony in the College Union Building (CUB) Ballroom.

Together, these alumni exemplify Gettysburg College’s mission to educate individuals who lead lives of impact, engagement, and service.

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Blase A. Carabello ’69

Blase Carabello ’69 is a nationally and internationally recognized cardiologist whose work has shaped modern understanding and treatment of heart valve disease. Over a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, research, and academic leadership, he authored more than 500 scientific publications. Carabello has helped define cardiovascular care standards through 25 years on the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association guideline committees.

He served 29 years with the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Carabello has also held major leadership roles, including chief of medicine at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and chief of cardiology at East Carolina University. His expertise has also informed national policy through service on an FDA advisory board.

A biology major at Gettysburg, Carabello was president of Sigma Chi. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing medicine and mentoring future physicians, earning him numerous honors, including the ACC Distinguished Scientist Award and multiple lifetime achievement recognitions.

Delma Rivera-Lytle ’80

Delma Rivera-Lytle ’80 has dedicated her career to advancing educational equity, cultural inclusion, and community leadership in York, Pennsylvania. As a diversity education specialist for Central York School District, she spent nearly two decades fostering inclusive learning environments for students and families. Her broader impact includes leadership roles with numerous civic organizations and service as a commissioner for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs.

A champion for the Latino community, she helped strengthen cross-cultural connections through initiatives like the York–Aguadilla sister city partnership and founded the Miss Latina of York program. Her humanitarian efforts have earned widespread recognition, including national honors and the Puerto Rico Governor’s Medal of Excellence.

At Gettysburg, Rivera-Lytle studied Spanish and sociology and was active in student life. She remains closely connected as an engaged alumna, continuing to support students and strengthen community ties.

Rodney S. Tosten ’85

Rodney Tosten ’85 has devoted his career to advancing technology and education at Gettysburg College, leaving a lasting institutional impact. Returning to the faculty in 1990, he founded the College’s Computer Science Department and served as its first chair. As vice president for information technology, he led transformative initiatives that modernized campus infrastructure, expanded digital learning, and supported new academic programs, including online and hybrid offerings.

His leadership helped position the College to adapt to rapid technological change while enhancing the student and faculty experience. Beyond campus, he has contributed to regional workforce development through advisory roles in technology education.

A mathematics major and student leader at Gettysburg, Tosten has remained deeply engaged as an alumnus, supporting College initiatives and mentoring future leaders. His career reflects a sustained commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the educational mission of Gettysburg College.

Charles Widger ’67

Charles Widger ’67 is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist whose leadership has shaped the financial services industry and expanded access to mental health care and education. As founder of Brinker Capital, he built a nationally recognized investment firm managing more than $100 billion in assets, and he now leads East Bay Merchant Partners. He is also a New York Times bestselling co-author and former chair emeritus of the Money Management Institute.

Widger’s philanthropic impact, through the Widger Family Foundation, focuses on innovation in mental health, education, and economic development, including co-founding Clark’s Manor, a residential community for individuals with chronic mental illness.

At Gettysburg, Widger was a history major, student leader, and athlete. As an alumnus, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees—including as chair—and has played a transformative role in advancing Gettysburg’s strategic initiatives and campus development.

Young Alumni Achievement Award for Career Development

Rachel Rutter ’11

Rachel Rutter ’11 is the founder and executive director of Project Libertad, a nonprofit that provides legal services and holistic support to immigrant youth. A summa cum laude Gettysburg graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member, she earned her J.D. from Drexel and is a practicing immigration attorney. Through Project Libertad, she partners with Gettysburg to create internship and engagement opportunities for students. Her work has earned national recognition, including CNN Heroes and L’Oréal Women of Worth honors. Her leadership advances justice, access, and opportunity for vulnerable communities.

Joshua Stewart ’11

Joshua Stewart ’11 is the senior director of federal policy and advocacy at Fahe, advancing national policy on affordable housing and economic development across Appalachia. With more than a decade of experience, his work addresses poverty and homelessness through federal legislation and advocacy. Previously, he led policy initiatives at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, helping pass landmark legislation that expanded services for veterans and established a permanent VA center. He holds a master’s degree in historical archaeology and focuses on the history of poverty and social support systems.

Young Alumni Achievement Award for Service

Anna Baldasarre ’14

Anna Baldasarre ’14 is the associate director of annual giving marketing at Franklin & Marshall College and a dedicated Gettysburg volunteer leader. As a student, she held numerous leadership roles and received top honors, including the Linnaean Award. As an alumna, she has served on the Communications and Marketing Advisory Committee, BOLD Council (as chair), and as an ex officio trustee, while supporting Reunion efforts and mentorship. Active in professional and community organizations, she has been recognized for her leadership in higher education and volunteer service.

Rebecca Borovsky ’16

Rebecca Borovsky ’16 is the senior director of operations at Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, advancing educational access and workforce readiness. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, she was deeply engaged in student leadership at Gettysburg. As an alumna, she has continued her service through the BOLD Council, an ex-officio role on the Alumni Board, career externships, and campus programs, while supporting Reunion efforts. Her sustained engagement reflects a strong commitment to mentorship, leadership development, and strengthening connections between Gettysburg and its alumni community.

Meritorious Service Awards

Laurie A. Baty ’76

Laurie A. Baty ’76 has demonstrated lifelong service to Gettysburg College through leadership, philanthropy, and volunteerism. As a student, she was a Phi Beta Kappa member, Orientation leader, and library staff member. As an alumna, she served on the Alumni Board where she sat on multiple committees, supported regional clubs, led Reunion efforts, and contributed to academic life through exhibits and teaching. A museum director in Washington, D.C., she also donated her professional daguerreotype collection to the College. Her sustained engagement reflects a deep commitment to enriching the Gettysburg community.

Jeffrey Siegfried ’81, P’14

Jeffrey Siegfried ’81, P’14 has provided exceptional leadership and service to Gettysburg College through governance, philanthropy, and student mentorship. A Trustee from 2013–2025 and now a trustee emeritus, he served as board secretary, chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee, and contributed to the Presidential Search Committee. Committed to student success, he has supported internships, alumni networking, and the Siegfried Fellowship Program. A business administration graduate, he is now CEO of OmniCable Corporation. His long-term leadership has strengthened the College and expanded opportunities for students and alumni.

Celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni award winners by joining us at Reunion Weekend!

Supported by courage, conviction, and community, Bishruti Rijal ’26 turns four years of a Gettysburg College education into a launchpad for her future.

When Gettysburg College Commencement student speaker Bishruti (Bish) Rijal ’26 addresses the Class of 2026 on May 16, she’ll be in the company of her campus family—friends, classmates, faculty, and staff who have supported her on her college journey.

As an international student from Kathmandu, Nepal, Rijal took every opportunity Gettysburg offered her and turned them into ways to help others, think deeply, and grow in ways unimaginable to her four years ago.

Making the most of her time at Gettysburg, Rijal has served as a residence coordinator (RC), worked for the Center for Global Education (CGE), spent time as a research assistant in the Psychology Department, participated in summer research through the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG), provided campus tours through the Office of Admissions, and engaged in programming through the Center for Public Service, Garthwait Leadership Center, and the Eisenhower Institute. She is also a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

Rijal will graduate from Gettysburg with a degree in biology and a minor in neuroscience.

Before she steps behind the podium to deliver her Commencement speech, Rijal took time to acknowledge the people and the place that will forever be a part of her life.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Gettysburg College?

“I liked Gettysburg for its research opportunities. When I was applying, my counselor told me there are a lot of students from Nepal at Gettysburg. ‘There’s already a community of students that you can be a part of as soon as you get there,’ she said. I found so much of my community at Gettysburg.

“I felt the gravity of where I was during the First-Year Walk when we heard the Gettysburg Address. Everyone was saying to us that you are at a consequential place. I realized at the time the history that was here.”

Q: What’s your favorite spot to hang out on campus?

“I have a lot of memories around Stine Lake. I lived in Stine Hall my first year, so every time I heard music, I would go out to see what’s going on. I remember the first time I felt I had friends on campus. We had a laser tag event for first-years. Stine Lake is also where I enjoyed s’mores. We have a group that always gets together, and that’s where it got started.

“Stine Lake is also the place where I sat and contemplated life a lot of the time. When the weather was nice, it was a place where I could sit outside, and my friends and I would go and hang out. It brings people together, and it gives the College a vibe when the weather is nice and everyone is out, and people are playing Frisbee and flying kites.”

Q: What were some of your favorite campus activities?

“Definitely working for Res Ed. I have connected with so many people here through it. It has changed my view of leadership. My upper-class RCs passed down the leadership legacy to me, and seeing myself do that with my own staff has been a full-circle moment.

“I loved going abroad to Budapest, Hungary, and working for CGE. I love talking about Gettysburg, so being an Admissions tour guide was one of my favorite things to do. It came with a lot of opportunity to connect to people and share what I love about the College.

“I also enjoyed getting to do research here and loved being in the labs. My professors, Biology Prof. Kazuo Hiraizumi and Psychology Prof. Sara Keefer, were all very encouraging.”

“I wish we had more Stoles of Gratitude because there are so many people I’m grateful for.”
– Bishruti (Bish) Rijal ’26

Q: Who were some of the people who supported you during your college journey?

“If I looked down my timeline, the first group of people would be International Student Services Director Brad Lancaster, Assistant Director of International Student Services Bekah Hurwitz, and Program Coordinator Carla Pavlick. They’ve always been a quiet support system and really impacted my first year.

“Assistant Director of Residential Education Brooke Gutschick ’17 and my Res Ed staff have been supportive ever since I’ve been here, but especially as a staff member. Stephanie Rye from CGE, Antonio Mora Calderon from The Bullet Hole, Bonnie Plank (the housekeeper in Stine Hall), my professors, my friends, my parents, and my sister—I wish we had more Stoles of Gratitude because there are so many people I’m grateful for.”

Q: What is the biggest life lesson you learned at Gettysburg?

“Considering how I was feeling my first year—uncertain and not knowing where I wanted to go—the biggest thing I learned is that I will figure it out, and I don’t have to do it alone.

“I approach things now with so much excitement. That’s the only way you can go forth through uncertainty.”

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

“I’m hoping to spend a few days with my parents and spend time with my friends. I’m also currently applying for research tech jobs in translational medicine or neurogenetics.

“There are a lot of things that my friends and I want to do before graduating—we have to get the last of the Servo cookies before graduation, take a picture of my first-year residence hall, and go around to places in town I won’t be able to see after graduation, including Mr. G’s for ice cream one last time!”

For more information about Commencement for the Class of 2026, including the weekend’s schedule, please visit the Commencement webpage.

Gettysburg College’s political science career course integrates academics with hands-on professional development, equipping students with practical skills, confidence, and connections through collaboration with the Center for Career Engagement.

Gettysburg College is expanding career-preparation opportunities through an innovative course in the Political Science Department that connects academic learning with real-world professional development. Taught by Chair Caroline Hartzell in collaboration with the Center for Career Engagement (CCE), the class offering reflects the Gettysburg Approach—combining rigorous academics with hands-on experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers.

Designed as a workshop-style course, Professionalization in Political Science (POL 456) helps students identify career goals, develop professional skills, and build the tools needed to navigate life after graduation. From networking and interviewing to crafting resumes, cover letters, and professional portfolios, students engage in practical exercises that translate directly to the job market.

“This course is really about ensuring our political science majors are prepared to go into the job market being able to emphasize the skills they’ve acquired through their liberal arts education,” Hartzell said. “We’re making use of everything we have here—our alumni, our staff, and the different skill sets across campus—to give students a fuller picture of what comes next.”

“The most impactful lesson of this course is that professional development is a lifelong journey. I feel much more prepared for what comes next.”
– Bennett Freeman ’26

That collaboration is central to the course’s design. CCE staff worked alongside Hartzell to build a structured learning progression that helps students gain confidence over time.

“This is one of the first times we’ve embedded career development directly into an academic course for credit,” said Jillian Bradley, associate director of employer engagement and marketing in CCE. “We were intentional about creating building blocks—starting with strengths and values, then moving into résumés, interviews, and networking.”

Throughout the semester, students apply what they learn immediately—connecting with alumni, participating in mock interviews, and developing their professional presence online. For Bradley, the long-term value of those experiences is key.

“We want students to leave with a toolkit they can use for life,” she said. “Whether they’re applying for their first job or making a career change years down the road, they’ll have the skills and confidence to take that next step.”

For students, that hands-on approach is what makes the course stand out. Bennett Freeman ’26, a political science major from Columbia, Maryland, said the course has helped him better understand his career path and how to move forward. Through alumni connections and practical exercises, he gained insights he would not have encountered in a traditional classroom.

“In other courses, I certainly learned a lot, and by the end of the semester, I might be applying that knowledge in a final paper or project,” said Freeman, who plans to attend law school after gaining experience in the legal field. “With this particular political science course, every week would feature a new module on how to network or present a better online presence, and then I would go home and do those things right away.”

Madisyn Freedman ’27, a political science major from Poughquag, New York, said the course pushed her to step outside her comfort zone and build confidence.

“I went into this class not even having a LinkedIn account and had never spoken to alumni,” Freedman said. “Now I’m on LinkedIn, Handshake, and connectGettysburg. In the past week, I have had meetings with two alumni! This is something I never would have been able to do if not for this class and Prof. Hartzell.”

The impact of the course in its first year also points to future possibilities. Faculty and career advisors see potential for similar collaborations in other departments, expanding access to career-focused learning across the College and reinforcing the value of a liberal arts education in preparing students for a wide range of careers.

“The most impactful lesson of this course is that professional development is a lifelong journey,” Freeman said. “I feel much more prepared for what comes next.”

Develop your unique career path with support from the Center for Career Engagement.

Sarah Jacobs ’06, a contemporary maximalist and surrealist artist, forged her path in visual storytelling supported by Gettysburg College’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Today, she uses art to give back to the Adams County and Gettysburg community that nurtured her personal and professional development.

From separation to oneness, and complexity to simplicity, Sarah Jacobs ’06 explores questions of life and living through brushstrokes on her canvas. Through her art, Jacobs invites viewers to enter her paintings and discover worlds beyond their senses.

Raised in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, Jacobs’ career as a contemporary maximalist and surrealist artist started when she chose nearby Gettysburg College for its art history program. At Gettysburg, she quickly immersed herself in art, art history, and multidisciplinary courses across the College’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum.

“At Gettysburg, I took some philosophy classes and Eastern religions classes, which I found to be the most interesting for me,” she said. “The concepts I learned in those classes I’ve returned to in my paintings.”

She credits her advisor, Art and Art History Prof. Emerita Carol Small, for providing mentorship and support that helped her forge a professional path in art. “I remember meeting with her during her office hours, and we would talk about art, and she would constantly try to convince me to love Rococo,” she recalls with a laugh. “She was one of the first people I recall who wanted to have intellectual debates about art with me.”

She also acknowledges Gettysburg for providing a well-rounded education through co-curricular activities, such as the Peace Club and working at the Bullet Hole, where she encountered many individuals who make up the Gettysburg College community. “I think they all helped me to stay curious. It also gave me the confidence to do work for myself as an artist,” she said.

Bringing artistic ambitions back to Gettysburg

After graduating from Gettysburg, Jacobs received her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore in 2010. Over the years, her artist residencies have taken her talents across the globe, from Grimma, Germany, and Cali, Colombia, to Taos, New Mexico.

Jacobs has received multiple art grants, including an Arts Council England Grant, and her artwork is held in public and private collections in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. She has also presented solo and two-person exhibitions in Pittsburgh, Erie, New York City, London, Poland, and Bristol, United Kingdom.

Following her time living abroad in the United Kingdom, Jacobs returned to the United States in 2014 and came home to Gettysburg in 2024. Four years ago, she began creating public art, while continuing to also make her canvas work.

Inside her studio space on North Washington Street, with a view looking down on Schmucker Hall on the Gettysburg College campus, Jacobs describes a mural she is working on that will ultimately be installed at Alloway Creek Elementary School in Littlestown. Figures of children that Jacobs has painted, representing the school’s students, appear so lifelike in the scenes that you almost expect them to step off the surface and into the studio with you.

In addition to the mural project in Littlestown, Jacobs is also working on a 25-by-40-foot mural that will be installed on the Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum this summer as part of Adams County’s commemorations for America’s 250th anniversary this year.

Exploring life through art

The uplifting humanistic mural projects complement and contrast her surrealist canvas works, inviting viewers to consider the complexities and joys of being alive.

“I believe I should have a lifelong education and look into fields that are completely unrelated to what I do, because it might change what I do or improve my artwork. That’s the foundation that you get at a liberal arts college.”
– Sarah Jacobs ’06

Jacobs’ paintings sometimes depict humans as natural elements—a man made from a sky or human legs depicted as mountains. Each work invites viewers to slow down, stop, and think about how the interplay of colors and patterns helps communicate a new perspective of the world.

“These works show the oneness of humans with the rest of our natural world,” she said.

Jacobs believes in the enduring power of a Gettysburg education to continually awaken the mind with knowledge and develop skills for a lifetime of growth.

“I believe I should have a lifelong education and look into fields that are completely unrelated to what I do, because it might change what I do or improve my artwork,” she said. “That’s the foundation that you get at a liberal arts college.”

Express your creativity as an art and art history major at Gettysburg.

At Gettysburg, community isn’t just where your story begins—it’s what shapes where your story goes. Through shared experiences, mentorship, and meaningful connections, students build relationships that grow into a powerful network, opening doors long after graduation.

During Get Acquainted Day in the spring of 2015, Caroline Glennon ’19 was walking Gettysburg’s campus with her parents, unsure where her journey would take her next. A student stopped them to help with directions for the next scheduled event.

Not long after that activity finished up, that same student saw Glennon and her family again, strolling on the edge of the fountain by Masters Hall. The student quickly asked, “Did you find it? How did it go?”

“I had been there an hour,” Glennon recalled. “I knew no one here, and now I saw this young woman who offered to help us twice. By lunch, I was sold. I decided right there I wanted to go to Gettysburg, and that spirit of community helped carry me to that decision.”

It was a small moment—easy to overlook. But it was also the beginning of something much bigger. Because at Gettysburg, that’s how a student’s journey starts.

“You come to Gettysburg, and you find your people,” said Bill Heyman ’74, P’13, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees and longtime champion of student mentorship. “That’s your community. Over time, that community becomes your network.”

For prospective students, that idea is more than a philosophy—it’s part of what we call the Gettysburg Approach: an experience designed to help students explore their interests, connect across disciplines, and build meaningful relationships that shape what comes next.

Where you find your people

At Gettysburg, community doesn’t look the same for everyone, but it forms quickly, often in ways that stay with you long after you leave.

Ashley (Fendrick) Cush ’10 grew up hearing about Gettysburg through her father, James Fendrick ’84, P’10, P’19. By the time she enrolled, the College already felt familiar—less like a place she was discovering and more like something she belonged to.

Once on campus, that sense of belonging took shape through a series of overlapping experiences—her residence hall, the tennis team, Chi Omega sorority, and academic work as a management major. “Those are the little groups that I would consider my Gettysburg community,” said Cush, vice president at Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc.

“You come to Gettysburg, and you find your people.”
– Bill Heyman ’74, P’13

Those smaller circles didn’t exist in isolation. They overlapped, expanded, and connected—creating a sense of belonging that felt both personal and shared.

For Sharon (Hilgen) Willis ’88, that process started early, arriving before the academic year to attend marching band practices. Willis’ community continued to grow when classes started through her chemistry major. She spent the summer between her junior and senior years on campus conducting research, living in the Gettysburg community, and developing social ties that have continued through the decades.

“Between my band friends and my chemistry friends, that was really the solid foundation of my community on campus,” said Willis, co-founder and vice president of sales and customer relations at Integral Molecular.

Kevin Kennedy ’11 found that same sense of connection on the basketball court, where shared goals and accountability shaped his experience. Kennedy’s arrival coincided with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament and a Centennial Conference title in 2009. Two years later, the management major served as team captain, building on the leadership of those student-athletes who came before him.

“This community extended beyond the court to include administrators and alumni who consistently checked in on us,” Kennedy noted. “It felt like a brotherhood where everyone was invested in your success as both an athlete and a person.”

For Glennon, an international and global studies and Spanish double major, it was the combination of everything—service, academics, and student organizations—that made the difference.

“Everyone was involved in something,” she said. “The Venn diagram just gets bigger and bigger with the overlap and connections.”

How community opens doors

As those relationships grow, so do the opportunities they bring.

At Gettysburg, that transition—from community to network—doesn’t happen by chance. It’s intentionally built into the student experience through the College’s Guided Pathways, which connect students with alumni who can help them explore careers and navigate their next steps.

For Alexis Auman ’27, a psychology major from Reading, Pennsylvania, that process is already underway. Through the Alumni Mentoring Program, as part of the Guided Pathways, she connected with Cindy Berríos ’02, interim CEO at On the Margins, whose guidance has helped her think more deeply about her goals and how to approach them.

“She is not just a mentor; she is an inspiration for what my education can allow me to achieve,” Auman said. “Connecting with her as a person has also deepened and reaffirmed for me the importance of human connection in the professional career space.”

“Working with a Gettysburg student is special because there’s an automatic tie that binds us.”
– Cindy Berríos ’02

For Berríos, who double majored in French and political science, that relationship reflects something distinctive about Gettysburg.

“I think of community as something you feel and network as something you use,” she said. “At Gettysburg, the two overlap in a really unique way. It doesn’t feel transactional. It feels like an extension of the community.”

That same sense of connection is what brought Cush back into the Gettysburg network in a new way. Years after graduating, she found herself connecting with Willis through shared professional interests in the biotech space. What began as a simple alumni connection quickly grew into something more collaborative.

“I think of my community at Gettysburg as the people who I interacted with directly,” Cush noted. “But then the network in and of itself is this big bubble that everybody's bouncing around in and you'll inevitably bump into through other career or personal relationships.”

Together, Cush and Willis have worked with the Center for Career Engagement to expand opportunities for students—helping to organize industry treks, networking events, and connections that introduce Gettysburg students to careers in science and technology. Their work reflects the same pattern that defines the Gettysburg experience: relationships that begin in one place and expand outward.

“I tell people to pick one event and go meet one new person,” Willis said. “I think networking can feel intimidating, but really, most people in the world are good people who want to help other people succeed. You just have to go out there and start by meeting one new person.”

The people who help you find your way

What turns these relationships into something more—into direction, opportunity, and growth—is the people who invest in others along the way.

For Glennon, that person was Heyman, who helped her translate her interests into a path forward and introduced her to opportunities she might not have found on her own.

“I told him all of the things that I was interested in, and he gave me all of the options back,” said Glennon, senior account manager at CORE IR & PR. “He just had that network.”

More importantly, he showed her how to use a professional network.

“That’s what the network is supposed to do,” Heyman said. “It’s not just about who you know. It’s about helping the next person find their way.”

“She is not just a mentor; she is an inspiration for what my education can allow me to achieve.”
– Alexis Auman ’27

Today, alumni like Kennedy, Cush, and Willis are continuing that cycle—mentoring students, creating opportunities, and strengthening the connections that define the Gettysburg Network.

“I aim to keep the cycle going,” Kennedy said. “By helping them now, we ensure the next generation is ready to do the same.”

For Berríos, that responsibility is deeply personal.

“I believe in mentorship throughout the life cycle,” she said. “Working with a Gettysburg student is special because there’s an automatic tie that binds us.”

Where Gettysburg can take you

What begins as a simple interaction—a student offering directions, a shared class, a conversation after practice—doesn’t stay small for long.

At Gettysburg, those moments build on one another. They grow into relationships that expand across time, across industries, and across generations. A first conversation becomes a friendship. A friendship becomes a connection. A connection becomes an opportunity.

And somewhere along the way, it all comes full circle.

“It starts with relationships,” Heyman said. “If you build those the right way, everything else follows.”

Start your journey in a community that grows into a network of opportunity.

Gettysburg College will award four honorary degrees at its Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony, recognizing the achievements of alumna Kate Anderson ’09, policy strategist Susan Eisenhower, arts leader Chad Smith, and historian James G. Basker.

Gettysburg College will confer four honorary degrees during its 191st Commencement ceremony on May 16, recognizing individuals whose professional achievements, leadership, and service embody the College’s mission to educate students for lives of impact.

The Class of 2026 will celebrate the accomplishments of songwriter and librettist Kate Anderson ’09, who will also serve as the keynote speaker. Joining Anderson as honorary degree recipients will be policy strategist Susan Eisenhower, arts leader Chad Smith, and historian and educator James G. Basker.

Honorary degrees are typically awarded at Commencement to individuals whose contributions are outstanding in areas such as the arts, public life and government, humanities and social sciences, and natural and applied sciences.

Learn more about this year’s honorary degree recipients below.

Kate Anderson ’09

Kate Anderson ’09 is an acclaimed songwriter and librettist whose work spans film, television, and the stage. A graduate of Gettysburg College with double majors in music and creative writing, Anderson has built a dynamic career at the intersection of storytelling and music, earning Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her theatrical work. She is widely known for her contributions to the Apple TV series “Central Park” and Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” as well as for co-writing music featured in Disney’s “Zootopia+” and other major productions.

At Gettysburg, Anderson developed the creative foundation that continues to inform her work, combining her passions for music, writing, and performance. Her time on campus helped shape her collaborative approach to storytelling and her commitment to artistic innovation.

Since graduating, she has premiered multiple original musicals, including “The Book Thief” and “Austenland,” with productions staged internationally. Anderson’s work reflects a deep commitment to imaginative storytelling, and she continues to inspire emerging artists through her success in the creative industries.

James G. Basker

James G. Basker is a distinguished historian, literary scholar, and educator whose work has significantly advanced the study of the Enlightenment, the Black Atlantic, and the history of slavery and abolition. Basker is the Richard Gilder Professor of Literary History at Barnard College. He has served as president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute (GLI) of American History since 1997, where he has led national initiatives to strengthen history and civics education in K-12 schools. GLI partners with Gettysburg College to offer an online master’s degree in American history.

Basker’s scholarship spans literature and history, with influential publications on figures such as Samuel Johnson and anthologies documenting early antislavery writings. His work has helped bring greater attention to marginalized voices and the transatlantic dimensions of the abolitionist movement.

A former Rhodes Scholar, he has received numerous fellowships and awards and has taught at leading institutions in the United States and abroad. Through his teaching, writing, and public scholarship, Basker has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to expanding historical understanding and fostering informed citizenship.

Susan Eisenhower

Susan Eisenhower is a distinguished policy strategist, author, and expert on national security, energy, and international affairs. Over a decades-long career, she has advised government leaders, contributed extensively to public discourse through hundreds of published op-eds, and authored five books, including the widely acclaimed “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions,” which chronicled the approach to leadership by her grandfather, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She is the founder of The Eisenhower Group, Inc., a consulting firm that provides strategic counsel to major corporations and organizations.

Eisenhower’s connection to Gettysburg College is both profound and enduring. For more than 15 years, Eisenhower has played a central role in leading programs at the Eisenhower Institute, which she co-founded and served as expert-in-residence and chair emerita. She has mentored more than 150 Gettysburg students through immersive seminars on strategy and leadership, guiding them to engage thoughtfully with complex global challenges.

Her work has helped bridge academic study with real-world application, reinforcing the College’s commitment to developing principled leaders. Eisenhower’s legacy at Gettysburg is defined by her dedication to students and her belief in their capacity to lead in times of global uncertainty.

Chad Smith

Chad Smith is the Julian and Eunice Cohen President and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), one of the world’s leading cultural institutions. Since assuming the role in 2023, Smith has advanced a vision that honors the BSO’s long-standing tradition of artistic excellence while expanding its reach as a dynamic, inclusive organization. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, including his tenure as president and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he has helped redefine the role of orchestras in contemporary society.

A classically trained vocalist, Smith brings a performer’s perspective to his leadership, emphasizing collaboration, education, and community engagement. He has curated innovative programming that bridges musical genres and artistic disciplines, creating new opportunities for audiences to experience classical music.

Under his leadership, the BSO continues to deepen partnerships across Boston and the Berkshires, positioning the orchestra as a hub for creative expression and learning. Smith’s work reflects a commitment to ensuring that the arts remain a vital and accessible part of public life.

Join us for the Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 16, 2026!

For more than a century, music has shaped the Gettysburg College experience. As the Sunderman Conservatory marks 20 years, that legacy continues—connecting generations through a liberal arts approach that inspires creativity, community, and lifelong impact.

On any given day at Gettysburg College, music drifts across campus—through open practice room windows, rehearsal halls, and performance spaces—carrying with it more than melody. It unites history, community, and a legacy shaped by generations of students, faculty, and alumni who have invested in its future.

As the Sunderman Conservatory of Music celebrates its 20th anniversary at Gettysburg, the voices from students and musical instruments reflect more than two decades of growth. They echo a tradition more than a century in the making, one sustained not only by performance, but also by a shared belief in music’s place at the heart of a liberal arts education.

A tradition takes shape

Music has been part of Gettysburg’s identity since the 19th century, when student ensembles like the glee club and orchestra first took shape. Those loose-knit student-run organizations evolved, becoming integral parts of the campus community. The Marching Band was one of the earliest examples, debuting in 1910 and marking the beginning of a tradition that continues today as a testament to the enduring role of music in campus life.

A generation later, Gettysburg’s musical foundation found a new direction with the arrival of Parker Wagnild in 1935. A graduate and former member of the renowned St. Olaf College Choir, Wagnild set out to build something lasting and impactful at Gettysburg.

Under his leadership, the College Choir grew in both ambition and reach, establishing an annual touring tradition that began with regional performances and quickly expanded beyond into international and world tours in the decades that followed. Those experiences broadened students’ musical and cultural perspectives while strengthening the program’s reputation.

By the mid-1940s, music at Gettysburg had become both an artistic and an academic pursuit, with coursework in harmony, dictation, sight-singing, and conducting anchoring the curriculum. Even then, the approach was clear: music was not meant to stand apart from a Gettysburg education; it was meant to deepen it.

A community built through music

Through the decades, dedicated music faculty have carried on and strengthened Wagnild’s enduring legacy, including long-time instructors Prof. Emeritus Kermit Finstad (1970-99), Prof. Emeritus Michael Matsinko (1976-2005), Prof. Emeritus Norman Nunamaker (1963-1997), Prof. Emeritus Dexter Wekel (1962-88), and Prof. Emeritus Robert Zellner (1968-98).

“Music helps people connect to others and express themselves in ways that can change the world.”
– Alice Broadway ’14

When John “Buzz” Jones arrived on campus in 1989, he aimed to continue the institution’s high standard of excellence by expanding performing ensemble opportunities and strengthening participation. The evolution of the music department into the Sunderman Conservatory of Music occurred under his watch as department chair and the first conservatory director. Jones wanted accessibility to music ensembles to remain open to the entire campus community, as it had decades prior.

“We’re a highly selective liberal arts school that welcomes students who play in orchestra, band, or the jazz ensemble and were not music majors,” Jones said. “I enjoyed teaching so many students who were from other majors that excelled at music. It really helped broaden the liberal arts perspectives within ensembles and classes.”

Chris Johnson ’98, a history major who is now a Pennsylvania social studies teacher in the Central Bucks School District, recalled the openness and availability of music at Gettysburg as a determining factor in his college selection process.

“Prof. Jones reached out to me and showed me that a vibrant music community existed there and that I didn't need to be a major to be a significant part of it,” Johnson said. “A couple of visits to campus confirmed this and, within very little time, Gettysburg leaped from not being on my radar to my clear No. 1 choice for college.”

That community included Chris’ future spouse, Sherry (Stevens) Johnson ’98, who majored in anthropology and sociology, as well as Spanish. For Sherry, the weeks of practice with the Marching Band created an instant community.

“Having music in common with other students helped me meet people at school,” recalled Sherry, a program analyst at Vanguard. “I remember a tentative first visit to the Writing Center as a freshman, where I was warmly greeted by a senior in the flute section. She and I are still friends!”

A transformational vision

That enduring philosophy would take on a new form through the vision of F. William Sunderman, Class of 1919. A physician, scientist, and accomplished violinist, Sunderman embodied the integration of music and scholarship during his time as a student, when he led both the Army band and student orchestra. In 2003, his $14 million bequest would establish the Sunderman Conservatory of Music, reshaping what music at Gettysburg could become.

That commitment led to facility improvements in Schmucker Hall, renovating the third floor to accommodate a growing faculty presence and providing practice spaces for students and staff. In the years following the gift, the number of full-time faculty members doubled, and the number of music majors and minors increased threefold. Jones would serve as the Conservatory’s first director before giving way to Prof. Kay Hoke in 2008.

Rather than replacing what came before, the Conservatory expanded it—building on a foundation shaped by generations who believed in music’s role within the liberal arts.

“Music helps people connect to others and express themselves in ways that can change the world,” said Alice Broadway ’14, a music education major and now a Pennsylvania elementary music teacher in the Mechanicsburg Area School District.

Broadway continued, “Gettysburg College and the Sunderman Conservatory prioritizing programs and supporting their faculty and students in musical fields shows a dedication to larger ideas, and a desire to lift up the humanity in society.” 

Expanded opportunities in music

More than 300 students have graduated with music degrees since 2006, joined by nearly 150 students who pursued music minors. With more than 60 courses and 15 ensembles, the Conservatory offers opportunities that span performance, scholarship, and creative exploration.

“Our goal is to support all students in making music integral to their lives, whether as a career or a lifelong avocation,” said current Sunderman Conservatory Director and Music Prof. James Day. “Students do this through a blend of curricular and co-curricular experiences that celebrate musical and cultural diversity and help them forge connections with the larger world.”

“Without a doubt, my time at Gettysburg shaped who I have become, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.”
– Gretchen Carlson ’09

For Scott Kaliszak ’16, a Pennsylvania music education major and now director of Secondary Orchestras at Dallastown Area School District, that environment was both rigorous and transformative. Learning from Jones, former Music Education Prof. Brent Talbot, and Director of Bands and Music Prof. Russell McCutcheon gave him the confidence and skills to lead his own music program, which has seen more than 250 musicians sign up to play for the middle school and high school orchestras.

“Music education was the most meaningful and difficult part of my entire education,” he said, noting the high expectations that defined his experience. “Working with expert teachers and musicians each morning helped me develop a well-rounded knowledge of every instrument.”

Gettysburg College was the top choice for Gretchen (Michelson) Carlson ’09, thanks in part to the stories she heard from her grandmother, Jean (Foellner) Michelson ’59. Carlson, who arrived on campus during the Conservatory’s inaugural year in 2005-06, capitalized on the expanded opportunities to pursue her own career path in music and now teaches students as a professor of music at Towson University in Maryland.

“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to study music within a robust liberal arts environment, as well as to study closely with excellent faculty in small, practice-oriented classes,” Carlson said. “Without a doubt, my time at Gettysburg shaped who I have become, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Carrying the music forward

As the Sunderman Conservatory marks its 20th anniversary, its future is being shaped not only by its students and faculty, but also by a continued tradition of alumni stewardship.

That legacy will be celebrated April 17–18, when students, faculty, and alumni gather for a weekend of performances and events. The weekend will include concerts by the Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, a recital featuring alumni and student performers, a career panel discussion, and campus receptions designed to reconnect the Conservatory community.

At the same time, new investments are enhancing the spaces where that work takes place. A recent $3 million gift from the late Sidney Ehrhart ’50 established new scholarships and led to significant renovations to Paul Recital Hall, improving acoustics and performance conditions for students and ensembles. Like Sunderman before him, Ehrhart shared the belief that music at Gettysburg is worth sustaining and strengthening.

“I see our 20th anniversary celebration as the beginning of a new chapter for the Conservatory and the College,” said Day, “one in which we build stronger relationships with our alumni, actively connect our students to evolving career opportunities, and outwardly celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.”

Join the next generation of musicians and changemakers in the Sunderman Conservatory of Music.

Maren Carter ’27 and Christian Keller ’27 reflect on the Gettysburg College Choir’s 90th anniversary tour as an emotional, community-driven experience that strengthened tradition, leadership, and belonging while connecting past and present through the enduring power of music.

The Gettysburg College Choir’s 90th anniversary tour through the U.S. Northeast was more than a series of performances—it was a celebration of legacy, community, and the enduring power of music. Founded in 1935 by Parker B. Wagnild, the College Choir has been a signature choral ensemble for generations of Gettysburg students, touring nationally and internationally. Since 1998, the College Choir and campus vocal ensembles have been under the direction of Sunderman Conservatory of Music Prof. Robert Natter. Natter guided the choir through six performances across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., culminating in a celebration and concert alongside alumni at Gettysburg on March 21.

For Maren Carter ’27 and Christian Keller ’27, co-managers of the College Choir, the experience carried added meaning. Carter, a psychology major from Ambler, Pennsylvania, and Keller, a music education major from Littlestown, Pennsylvania, helped guide the ensemble through a tour that reconnected students with a tradition nearly a century in the making.

For both, the tour was not only about where they traveled, but also what they became a part of.

What does it mean to be part of a 90-year choir tradition?

Maren Carter ’27: Being part of this tradition didn’t fully hit me until after the tour, especially at the alumni gathering. Hearing stories from people who had been part of the choir decades ago made me realize I’m now part of something so much bigger. We didn’t have a tour our first two years, so bringing that tradition back felt incredibly meaningful. I’m so grateful to now say I’ve experienced something that has meant so much to generations before us.

Christian Keller ’27: It was emotional. Performing for alumni and seeing how invested they still are in the choir showed me how deeply this experience stays with people. Looking out during concerts and seeing them singing along or even crying—it made it hard to get through performances sometimes. It really reinforced how important the choir is in people’s lives.

What were your most memorable moments from the tour?

MC: The first concert in Philadelphia was incredibly personal. It had been one year since my grandfather had passed away, and my entire family had come to the concert. At the same time, we were honoring the memory of choir alum James Lamb ’21. It was special to have my family and all the alumni there with us. I knew that this was so impactful to our community as a whole, and it spoke volumes about how we care for each other.

CK: One of the most powerful moments at every stop was inviting alumni to sing with us. When we performed “Beautiful Savior” together, you could see how much it meant to them. It made me reflect on my own time here and on how, one day, I’ll be in their place.

What stood out about the alumni celebration?

MC: At first, I was nervous talking with alumni from different generations, but that disappeared quickly. We already had something in common—choir—and that opened the door to many great conversations. Singing together during rehearsal was incredible. Hearing that many voices united really showed how powerful this tradition is.

CK: It was one of the most memorable days of my college experience. Meeting alumni who helped shape traditions we still carry today—like our teddy bear mascot—made everything feel connected across generations.

How has the College Choir shaped your experience at Gettysburg?

MC: Even though I’m not a music major, choir has been the most impactful part of my college experience. It’s taught me leadership in a completely different way and shown me that music will always be part of my life, even if it’s not my career.

CK: I grew up having a fondness for the College and the Gettysburg College Choir, and being this involved now has changed my lens even more. I have a much deeper love for the institution and the people in it, especially the alumni. Getting to meet them and hear their stories has made me commit more of myself to following in their footsteps.

What do you hope for the future of the Gettysburg College Choir?

MC: I hope the tour tradition continues, because it brought us so close as a group. More than that, I hope students, regardless of their major, feel welcome to find a place in music like I did.

CK: The motto of the Conservatory is that it is “a place to find your music.” I hope future students continue to discover that, just as we have, and carry the tradition forward.

Discover the place to find your music by applying to Gettysburg College.