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Gettysburg College celebrated eight women’s lacrosse seniors at Special Commencement, honoring their transformational leadership, selfless teamwork, and lasting impact as they prepare to continue their NCAA championship journey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Through classes, collaborations, and performances, Jordan Rudess inspired students and the community to approach emerging technologies with curiosity, expanding creative possibilities and reinforcing the College’s commitment to innovation, dialogue, and integrative learning.

Through immersive career treks, global experiences, and alumni-led mentorship, Gettysburg College empowers students and young alumni to discover their purpose, refine their leadership, and translate a liberal arts education into meaningful pathways that extend far beyond the classroom.

Career exploration at Gettysburg College doesn’t pause when the fall semester ends. Instead, breaks in the academic calendar become a powerful extension of the College’s year-round commitment to preparing students—and young alumni—for lives of purpose and impact.

An extraordinary gift from the estates of Bruce Baky ’65 and Sherrin Hilburt Baky-Nessler ’65, P’01 will strengthen faculty excellence, advance innovation across academic programs, and expand opportunities for Gettysburg students.

Through the Blavatt Lecture, Gettysburg College engages leading voices to examine foundational democratic ideals in a modern context, with David M. Rubenstein’s lecture reinforcing the College’s commitment to informed citizenship and civil discourse.

David M. Rubenstein, renowned investor, philanthropist, historian and civic leader, will serve as the featured speaker for the 24th annual Blavatt Lecture, hosted by the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in Masters Hall’s Mara Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.