Meet the Class

As the president of the Gettysburg African Student Association (GASA), a Residential Education staff member and coordinator, an international student ambassador, and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in the Student Senate, Agboola learned the meaning of transformational leadership, working with people from different backgrounds toward a unified goal. “I was searching for a school that I could call my home for four years, presented leadership opportunities to create impact within the community, and that would equip me with career and problem-solving skills for the real world,” Agboola said. “Coming here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.” A business, organizations, and management major and data science minor, Agboola plans to gain professional experience in the finance and consulting field before pursuing a master’s in business administration (MBA).

With support from faculty like Political Science Prof. Douglas Page and East Asian Studies Prof. Yoko Nishimura, Albanese secured a prestigious Boren Scholarship from the Department of Defense to study language in Taiwan. A double major in political science and economics, he immersed himself in both the culture and language while he studied abroad. Upon his return to campus, he was empowered to help other students achieve their own goals by participating in Eisenhower Institute programming and serving as a captain of the cross-country team. “If you ever get the opportunity, I think it is essential for college students to travel,” Albanese said. “It changes your perspective on the world and you learn something new about yourself. Gettysburg recognizes this and they do a great job encouraging students to take advantage of their study abroad programs.” Before pursuing a career in foreign service, Albanese plans to explore more cultures around the world as a Peace Corps volunteer.

On the basketball court, Baggi helped Gettysburg improve its win total in each of the last three seasons and led the Bullets to the top seed in the Centennial Conference playoffs this past year. He was an engaged member of the campus community as well, serving as a fitness attendant and coordinator in the Jaeger Center and as a community advisor for the last three years with Residential Education. From helping the first-year class acclimate to campus during Move-In Day to his Senior Day game against Muhlenberg, Baggi created strong bonds across the campus community while pursuing an individualized major called journalism across digital media and a French minor. “The academic curriculum satisfied my goals and expectations by offering different types of courses where I could engage with new perspectives and get to know students from different backgrounds,” Baggi said. Following graduation, he is aiming to continue his playing career in Europe and pursue a master’s in sports journalism.

There weren’t many corners of campus left unexplored by Chango during her four years at Gettysburg and those many opportunities have prepared her for a career as an educator. She worked for the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life (OSAGL), Admissions Office, Center for Student Success, Mathematics Department, and Physics Department and served as student coordinator for Orientation for the Class of 2027. She was also a historian and publicist for the Owl and Nightingale Players, while appearing in five different stage productions. “Gettysburg has taught me that being a good educator is about more than just having the content knowledge for my subject,” said the mathematics major. “It is about learning how to care for and about students, understanding their struggles, and ensuring that I teach more than just math. Gettysburg has allowed me to become the best version of myself, while teaching me how to find the best versions of those around me.” Chango is seeking a position as a high school math teacher and intends to pursue a master’s in education.

“A Gettysburg education is where you are known, and where you are heard,” Comegno said. “We benefited from the opportunities, the forums, the platforms, and the programs. They developed who we are and will set us apart in the future. There is no academic or extracurricular goal that I have set out to do that I have not fulfilled.” The son of Gettysburg alumni John ’94 and Marsha Hoffman Comegno ’94, Jack acted as a consummate leader for the student body during his four years, which culminated in being named president of the Class of 2024. He founded and chaired the Student Alumni Association and 2024 Advisory Group, participated in leadership programs with both the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) and Eisenhower Institute (EI), and served as a squad leader in the Blue Mountain Battalion. With an interdisciplinary studies major called leadership and administration in national security and minors in business and military science, Comegno will take the knowledge and enduring skills he’s gained at Gettysburg into a legal career in the armed services. He will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army at graduation and will go to law school before resuming his military duties with the Judge Advocate General (JAG).

As an environmental studies and public policy double major with a minor in data science, Cross values the ability to approach problems with a wider lens, especially as environmental and policy realms intertwine. Gettysburg helped provide a path for that type of critical thinking with Cross taking part in multiple programs through the Center for Public Service and performing research under Public Policy Prof. Anne Douds. A two-time captain on the men’s swimming team, Cross won the 400-yard IM at the 2023 Centennial Conference Championship and has enjoyed sharing in the success of his teammates and roommates participating in other athletic programs. “Being a Gettysburgian means family,” Cross said. “It is very comforting knowing I will always be a part of something much bigger than myself. Personal connections made at Gettysburg with peers, faculty, and alumni give me an incredible support system to rely on now and into the future.” Following graduation, Cross will attend the University of Virginia School of Architecture to pursue a master’s in urban and environmental planning.

A philosophy and women, gender, and sexuality studies double major with a political science minor, Ferraro broadened her knowledge by taking many different classes outside of her majors, enjoying everything an education in the liberal arts and sciences affords students. Outside of the classroom, she grew her leadership skills through Alpha Omicron Pi and the Office of Residential Education, where she worked as an assistant residential life coordinator. Said Ferraro, “I knew I wanted to attend an institution that provided me with unlimited opportunities to explore different leadership opportunities and to be able to have close connections with faculty to build those relationships that would not only help me while at the institution, but also after I graduated. Gettysburg has provided just that and more for me.” After graduation, Ferraro will attend American University’s Washington College of Law to pursue her goal of becoming a prosecuting attorney for the special victims unit.

Gettysburg offered Franchetti an opportunity to study across multiple academic disciplines and explore a wealth of career-building experiences. A double major in history and English with a concentration in writing, she served as editor-in-chief of both The Getttysburgian and Her Campus and as nonfiction genre head of The Mercury. During her senior year, she was the lead communications intern for the Office of Communications and Marketing and also worked as a user service assistant in Musselman Library. A global leader for the Center for Global Education (CGE), she studied abroad in England during her junior year. “Through the academic curriculum and my extracurricular activities, I have learned the importance of storytelling and how to effectively communicate those stories with an audience,” Franchetti said. “These lessons and experiences that I have gained at Gettysburg have made me a more driven and focused student and person.” Following graduation, Franchetti plans to move to Washington, D.C., to pursue a career in government communications.

After seeing the amazing opportunities her brother, Blake Gill ’21, enjoyed during his time on campus, Caroline knew she wanted to be a part of the community too. A business, organizations, and management major with a political science minor, Gill was a student advisor and co-chair of the Honor Commission, global leader with the Center for Global Education, a class senator, and member of the College Life Advisory Committee. “These experiences allowed me to connect with various faculty and administration that helped me grow professionally,” Gill said. “I value my liberal arts education because not only was I able to take business classes, but I was able to build intercultural fluency by taking an assortment of interdisciplinary and humanity classes.” After graduation, Gill plans to work for Burlington Store, Inc., as an assistant buyer.

“Aside from the beautiful campus and the vibrant town just steps away, I chose Gettysburg because I knew I would have the opportunity to thrive here,” Goldman said. “The small class sizes and the chance to get involved with the community were opportunities I could not pass up.” Goldman became a more well-rounded person thanks to his educational and co-curricular experiences at Gettysburg. He majored in economics and double minored in data science and business, developed long-lasting relationships with friends and alumni through the Sigma Chi fraternity, and invested in the campus community as sports editor for The Getttysburgian and as a student assistant in Athletic Communications. Goldman, who plans on pursuing a career in sports marketing, knows his relationship with Gettysburg will continue long after he walks across the stage in front of Penn Hall. “Being a Gettysburgian means having pride in your school and continuing to support the Orange and Blue even after your time at Gettysburg is over.”

Diaz Hernandez was in search of a supportive community when she was looking at colleges and Gettysburg provided that home for the last four years. As a tour guide, she shares her passion for the College on a daily basis with prospective students. “My favorite memory at Gettysburg was working my first Get Acquainted Day with the Admissions Office my sophomore year,” Diaz Hernandez said. “It allowed me to share my love of this place with those prospective students and reconnect with seniors I had given tours to earlier in the year.” An international and global studies major and political science and peace and justice studies minor, Diaz Hernandez served as social media coordinator for IGS, studied abroad in Spain, and was a member of Delta Gamma, Black Student Union, and Latin American Students’ Association. She will be working with Teach for America in Philadelphia after graduation.

A history major and Civil War era studies and public history minor, Jensen took part in immersive internships each summer while she was in college, including a Civil War Institute (CWI) funded internship at the Seminary Ridge Museum in 2021 and a Kolbe Fellowship in 2023. Gettysburg’s broad approach to learning paved the way for Jensen to engage in numerous leadership experiences on campus, including with the Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Gettysburg Historical Journal, Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Phi Omega, and Alpha Delta Pi. “It's about personal growth and a holistic collegiate experience,” said Jensen about the value of a liberal arts and sciences education. “It's about learning to think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the world around us in a broader context. Gettysburg’s classes pushed me to be a critical thinker, challenged preconceived notions, and strengthened my writing skills.” This summer, Jensen will intern at the American Battlefield Trust in Washington, D.C., before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a master’s in library and information science on an archival track.

A double major in chemistry and health sciences, King found her path at Gettysburg with the support of faculty and friends. She performed research on bladder cancer as part of the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG) in 2022 and she is currently doing independent research on gold nanoparticle exposure in aquatic wildlife alongside Chemistry Prof. Lucas Thompson. When she’s not enjoying long runs across the battlefield with her friends, King works as a peer learning associate in the Chemistry Department and student assistant in the athletics equipment room. She also previously served as president of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. “All of these opportunities have allowed me to grow as a leader, a critical thinker, a time-manager, and allowed me to discover what my future will look like,” King said. “The research experiences I have been a part of have pushed me to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry next year.” King will begin the next chapter in her educational journey at Northeastern University in the fall.

The 2023 Centennial Conference Player of the Year in softball and one of six members of the Class of 2024 to earn a Linnaean Award from the Alumni Association, Komst discovered a wealth of opportunities not long after arriving on campus. She broadened her perspective as an international affairs and global studies major and Middle Eastern and Islamic studies minor, while competing in softball and track and field, serving as a community advisor for Residential Education, studying abroad in Jordan, serving as vice president of the class and president of Sigma Iota Rho, and taking part in Eisenhower Institute programming. “These experiences all put me in a position to work together with diverse groups of people and find many of my friends on campus,” Komst noted. After graduation, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania to obtain a master’s in public health while also serving as the deputy director of Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP) through the Business Council 90A’s association management. “As a Gettysburgian, you are capable of so much more than you believe and your success extends beyond what you can imagine. Believe in yourself and trust the process.”

A political science and economics double major, Labruna instantly knew Gettysburg was the right school for him the moment he stepped on campus. The small class sizes allowed him to develop personal relationships with professors and the College’s distinctive co-curricular programming helped catapult his professional development and career preparedness. As part of the Eisenhower Institute, Labruna took part in a summer fellowship program in Washington, D.C., and traveled to Germany to study labor relations in Europe. He also helped launch Gettysburg’s E-Sports Club with support from Student Senate. “Being a Gettysburgian means you have to take the opportunities given to you and run with them,” Labruna said. “You have the support and encouragement of the faculty and other students, but when push comes to shove, you have to be the one who seizes the moment, and Gettysburg really prepares you for those moments.” Following graduation, Labruna will pursue a master’s in political management at George Washington University before seeking a career in politics.

From working in athletic communications as a first-year to serving as president of the Latin American Student Association, Lopez Larios has experienced firsthand the benefits of engaging with opportunities across campus. A sociology major and education studies minor, Lopez Larios was also a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and worked at the Boston African American National Historical Site as a Pohanka intern through the Civil War Institute in the summer of 2023. “These co-curricular experiences allowed me to facilitate personal and professional growth by providing opportunities for hands-on learning, skill development, networking, and leadership roles,” she said. “Through these experiences, campus has become a second home, fostering a strong sense of community.” During Fall Honors Day, Lopez Larios was awarded the Harry C. and Catherine Noffsinger Hartzell Award for Sociology and received a Stole of Gratitude from 2023 graduate Jalissa Ortega last spring. Following graduation, she intends to work for a year before pursuing a master’s in education.

An economics and public policy double major and political science minor, Lemon learned important enduring skills such as leadership and teamwork from faculty across campus, including Political Science Prof. Scott Boddery, Public Policy Prof. Anne Douds, and Art and Art History Prof. Tina Gebhart, the last of whom instilled in him a newfound passion for ceramics. “I wanted an intimate curriculum where I could develop close relationships with my professors and work alongside them on course topics, while having a tailored approach to my education,” Lemon said. “I believe that Gettysburg best satisfied this goal in providing me a well-rounded education that not only goes beyond the bounds of my major, but has equipped me with professional skills to carry past college.” Outside of the classroom, Lemon was president of the Student Senate and the Economics honor society (Omicron Delta Epsilon), co-president of the Public Policy Student Council, and he co-founded Gettysburg’s pickleball club. Following graduation, he will attend law school.

Maratea learned valuable lessons about teamwork and working toward a common goal through his curricular and co-curricular activities, including as a member of the Gettysburg baseball team over the last four seasons and as a social media intern for the Office of Communications and Marketing. The opportunity to participate in college athletics was one of the primary reasons he chose to attend Gettysburg, alongside the experience of engaging in a rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences. A business, organizations, and management major, Maratea took advantage of the broad-based curriculum to engage in a variety of topics that helped him develop his knowledge and enduring skills. “Gettysburg has provided me with many life lessons and I was able to learn about a variety of different topics such as Civil War era history, comparative politics, and labor unions,” Maratea said. “The curriculum has been very diverse and helpful to my advancement as a student and person.” Maratea, whose younger brother Matthew just finished up his first year at Gettysburg, will pursue a career in finance following graduation.

“When I first applied to colleges in high school, I was torn between Gettysburg College and several other large state schools,” Marks said. “As much as I was attracted to the hustle and bustle of life in a big city, what made me fall in love with Gettysburg College was the sense of community I felt from the very moment I set foot on this beautiful campus.” The Gettysburg community empowered Marks to be the best leader she could be, filling impactful roles as a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma, peer learning associate in the Mathematics Department, vice president of Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, student coordinator in OSAGL, and a member of the Order of Omega. These experiences combined with her education as a political science major and education and peace and justice studies minor have broadened Marks’ understanding of the world and given her a global perspective as she seeks to improve the lives of others. Following graduation, she plans on working at a university for a few years before pursuing a master’s degree in higher education.