Our Brightest Future

Feb 12, 2024

by Corey Jewart / Photography by Casey Martin Photography

On Sept. 22-23, 2023, hundreds of key stakeholders,including the college’s greatest champions and philanthropic supporters, gathered at Gettysburg College for the summit on the future—a weekendfull of inspiration, interaction, impact, and learning about the future of the institution and its promise of providing a consequential education to every student. from visiting classrooms and exploring today’s curricular and co-curricularactivities to hearing firsthand accounts of the Gettysburg approach at work, attendees experienced togetherness at every turn.

Student musicians performing — Student musicians perform during a reception inside Bream Gym

“We seek to engage your minds, hearts, and passion toward the ‘unfinished work’ of Gettysburg College. My hope is that this time sparks your curiosity, creates some connection from your experience to that of current students, and catalyzes your energy for learning this weekend.”
– Paul Miller
Garthwait Leadership Center director

Vice President for College Life Anne Ehrlich and other members of the President’s Council address audience questions during a panel discussion about Gettysburg’s Strategic Direction.

“Being here tonight and really seeing such a diverse array of accomplishment, and talent, and really geography across generations of Gettysburgians really underscores to me the power of this place and the significance of the experiences that we’ve all had here that change the trajectory of our lives. While Gettysburg’s small, our impact in the world is outsized.”
– Richard Kampert ’10,
Goldman Sachs vice president in the investment banking division

An alumni looking through the lens — *Alumni had the opportunity to look at Gettysburg’s learning experiences through the lens of today’s students.*

Students showcase resources that help strengthen the community — *Belonging and wellness are key components of the Strategic Direction. Gettysburg offers students a bevy of resources to strengthen the community.*

An expert panel of faculty and staff talking about the impact of Gettysburg’s distinctive location on student experiences. — *One of the Summit’s opening events featured an expert panel of faculty and staff talking about the impact of Gettysburg’s distinctive location on student experiences.*

“One of higher education’s greatest pressure points is the need for colleges to innovate in ways that effectively prepare students to succeed as professionals and citizens while also being authentic to their institutional mission. The Gettysburg Approach has nailed this balance. I’m excited to share this incredible model with other schools around the country.”
– Ashely Finley
vice president of research and senior
advisor to the president for the American
Association of Colleges and Universities

The transformative weekend showcased the Gettysburg Approach, which is anchored by core traits displayed by graduates for nearly 200 years—a breadth and depth of knowledge and set of enduring skills. Summit attendees witnessed how the Gettysburg Approach carries on that long tradition of academic excellence while offering new experiential learning opportunities.

Alumni, faculty, and staff gathered inside a transformed Bream Gym to learn more about the Gettysburg Approach and the unique learning experiences available for students

What sets the Gettysburg Approach apart is its intentional focus on building a network of support and resources for students through Personal Advising Teams and Guided Pathways. Faculty, co-curricular, career advisors, and alumni mentors guide students as they traverse thematic Pathways designed to deepen and practice knowledge and enduring skills.

Andy Hughes, executive director of the Garthwait Leadership Center, facilitates an open discussion with Summit attendees on Gettysburg’s proactive response to societal changes.

President Bob Iuliano emphasized that, throughout its esteemed history, Gettysburg has responded to change together, utilizing its committed network for support and resources to continue its evolution.

“Together, we can usher this great College into an inspiring third century. Let us commit tonight to Living Our Promise and making our vision a reality.”
– President Bob luliano

The future is bright for Gettysburg College. Thanks to the support of alumni and friends who commit their time and resources to ensure the institution continues to thrive, ample opportunities for students to grow personally and professionally are made possible. Throughout the weekend, momentum built as enthusiasm for the College’s bold and ambitious vision of the future took hold in the hearts and minds of attendees, strengthening their desire to act and get involved. The weekend culminated with the announcement of a historic $10 million commitment by Daria Lo Presti Wallach ’76 to help transform this vision into a reality.

“Gettysburg College is the place for A Consequential Education—that was true when I was there in the 1990s, and it remains true today (I’m also a Class of 2024 parent). I fully support the College’s vision and the approach for ensuring students are prepared for the broader, changing world—professionally and personally.”
– Meredith Bove ’97, P’24

President Bob Iuliano, David Brennan ’75, P’00 and Lauren Wise Bright ’90 — Former Chair of the Board of Trustees David Brennan ’75, P’00, alongside President Bob Iuliano and current Chair Lauren Wise Bright ’90, was honored for his service and commitment to Gettysburg College.

“Gettysburg is the thread that binds us together. As Gettysburgians, we step forward for one another. I hope this weekend inspired just that. I hope this weekend inspires you to step forward for today’s students and those yet to come.”
– Lauren Wise Bright ’90,
Board of Trustees chair

Emily Kreider ’25 and Sara Harenchar Levinson ’09 — I’m proud to go to a school that recognizes the importance of increasing access to higher education. None of what I mentioned would have been in my future without your support, your empowerment, and your confidence in me.” said Emily Kreider ’25 (right), recipient of the Sara Harenchar Levinson ’09 (left) Gettysburg Fund Named Scholarship.

20 New Initiatives

At Gettysburg College, we promise every student A Consequential Education—one that gives them greater insight into who they are, what they want to accomplish, and how they will define and lead their own consequential life.

We are committed to bringing this promise to life for today’s students through our new Strategic Direction. Launched last February, Living Our Promise: The Strategic Direction for Gettysburg College has Four Areas of Focus: Academic Excellence, A Transformational and Integrated Student Experience, A Culture of Belonging and Wellness, and Institutional Effectiveness.

While this ambitious vision will be implemented over the next several years, our community is already hard at work to make our Strategic Direction a reality.
Explore 20 new initiatives now underway to support the student experience at Gettysburg.

lounge space with futuristic seating, lighting, and lots of tables and whiteboard on walls

employee and student talk at center for career engagement welcome area

female student speaks with MD governor Wes Moore at Eisenhower Institute

male track and field student-athlete smiles in front of Bullets banners

international students on stage hold up all their different national flags

two female students ponder a piece of art in exhibit

blue and orange flowers in foreground with Musselman Library in background

lounge space with seating, pool table, foosball

President Iuliano congratulates female Masters grad

two female students pose with fruit cups

Photos by Abbey Frisco, Kailey White, Jason Minick, Anh Nguyen ’22, May Lonergan ’21, Miranda Harple, Sam Isherwood ’00, and the Gettysburgian.

Top row, left to right:
1. Passed a new core curriculum.
2. Established the Donna Jean Brogan Center for Quantitative Learning.
3. Developed the Center for Student Success.

Second row, left to right:
4. Launched the Guided Pathways.
5. Created Personal Advising Teams.
6. Increased capacity at the Center for Career Engagement.

Third row, left to right:
7. Explored genAI and its emerging influence.
8. Expanded the scope of the Eisenhower Institute.
9. Prioritized the health and performance of our student-athletes.

Fourth row, left to right:
10. Bolstered International Student Services.
11. Created an Art History and Museum Studies Track.
12. Introduced a pilot project to mentor and support underrepresented faculty.

Fifth row, left to right:
13. Invested in counseling access and care.
14. Deepened commitment to affordable course materials.
15. Established the Ann McIlhenny Harward Interdisciplinary Fund for Culture and Music.
16. Supported initiatives around belonging and wellness.

Bottom row, left to right:
17. Reimagined student social spaces across campus.
18. Graduated first class of MA in American History students.
19. Opened Gettysburg Smoothie Co. in the Jaeger Center.
20. Hosted the Summit on the Future.