Do Great Work

All over campus, our students are doing great work.  They want to do something that matters, be Gettysburg great, and work for change.  Some of our current seniors took the time to share with us some of their unique Gettysburg experiences.

Excelling Academically and Athletically

"I entered college with two defining goals: to continue my athletic career through track and field and to attend medical school.  Gettysburg College allowed me to accomplish both.  The incredibly strong science departments prepared me for my MCAT exam and helped me fulfill the challenging pre-med prerequisites.  However, I was not restricted to the classroom and laboratory.  Balancing course work and several other clubs and organizations, I also enjoyed four years of varsity indoor and outdoor track.  Gettysburg is a unique environment which not only encourages academic excellence, but allows students to pursue other passions as well.  With medical school acceptances and conference medals in my possession, I am thankful I chose Gettysburg College, a place where my goals became a reality."

-Megan Murphy '11

Global Economics

"I am an Economics major so I chose to focus on the Economic decline of my country, Zimbabwe, and looked at some of the policies that were put in place by the government there that led to the decline of the economy. I managed to visit the country and talk to a couple of economists there and I wrote a paper on my experience."

-Chidochashe Munangagwa '11

Developing Leaders

"This past August, I was integrated into the Garthwait Leadership Center where my position as Leadership Mentor provided me with insights into leadership development and growth through teamwork.  I was able to act as a Project Lead on several large programs.  These experiences gave me the opportunity to learn from other students that have different backgrounds, and diverse perspectives.  Gettysburg College offers its students something other schools may not be able to--the chance to personally grow through an incredible amount of activities, clubs, and organizations.  Each provides the opportunity to be your own leader."

-Monica Palmiotto '11

Experiencing Cultures

"During my full academic year in France, I had the opportunity to train with the Head Swim Coach for Le Cercle des Nageurs d'Avignon (CNA), a French club swim team in Avignon, France. I thought I was proficient in French, but quickly realized I had much to learn. "On va faire quatre fois cent mètres en palmes sur une minute cinquante." (We will be doing four one-hundreds with fins on one minute fifty seconds), I was clueless as to what he meant by "en palmes", so I just waited to see what the other swimmers did. Petrified with uncertainty, I waited and hoped I would understand everything Coach Olivier said. Over the course of two weeks, I learned how to understand swim practices in French, an experiential process that makes me think in French during swim practice today. The best way to experience any language is to actually live it. It is for this reason that I decided to spend a full academic year abroad in Avignon, France at the Institute for American Universities. I gained so much from my time abroad and I found myself rewarded with a much better sense of global understanding and the French culture."

-Brian Kaehler '11

Sunderman Soloist

"Two years ago I had the opportunity to perform in-and win-the first Sunderman Conservatory Concerto Competition. I got to perform Mozart's Flute Concerto in G Major, and it was truly the full soloist experience: the conductor prepares the orchestra for you, and then you come in and can really talk to the orchestra, communicate your musical ideas for how you want the piece to sound. It was incredible."

-Paul McShee '11

Preparing for the World of Work

"One of my best memories of the past four years is my internship with a consulting firm. The Center for Career Development set me up with the interview and even let me borrow a suit to wear for it. Once I found out that I had the internship, I found housing in New Havin, CT on the Yale Campus. It was such a learning experience to live on my own for the first time, out of a college environment. I commuted to work by train every day, and even took the train into New York City for a couple weekends. I was also reimbursed $500 by the Center for Career Development to cover the transportation costs!"

-Alyssa O'Keeffe '11

At the Cutting Edge of Technology

"As a result of the ever increasing mobile market, I decided to try my hand at writing an application for Google's Android market as an Independent Study Course.  I have been designing a practical application that will work essentially as a virtual pill box.  Its purpose is to remind the user when to take their medications.  In addition to learning how to code and develop an Android app, I have also gained valuable time management skills through my four years balancing athletics and academics.  With the help of dedicated faculty, Gettysburg really gives you the opportunity to take advantage of personal interests, such as developing apps and playing baseball."

- Cameron Riera '11