GETTYSBURG, Pa. - One day after moving into residence halls, Gettysburg College's newest students will be highly visible in the community Aug. 28 as they participate in the 18th annual Gettysburg Is Volunteering (GIV) Day and traditional First-Year Walk to hear a reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg.

About 250 members of the class of 2012 will volunteer during GIV Day, serving and learning in three areas of the Gettysburg community: environment and environmental justice, socio-economic issues and education issues for adults, children and migrant workers. Students will take part in service projects or discussions with local organizations associated within each area, leading to a broader understanding of the issues. Students will then return to campus for reflection facilitated by other students, faculty and community members. The event is the kick-off program for Gettysburg College's Center for Public Service.

The First-Year Walk looks back to Nov. 19, 1863, when Gettysburg College students, townspeople and Abraham Lincoln processed along Baltimore Street to the National Cemetery site, where the president dedicated the Soldiers' National Cemetery and delivered his Gettysburg Address. Students and facilitators will meet at Christ Chapel at 6:45 p.m. The group will travel east on Stevens Street, turn right onto Carlisle Street, continue around the square, and travel down Baltimore Street. The walk will culminate at the cemetery where Lisa Portmess, a 1972 graduate and professor of philosophy at Gettysburg College, will read the Gettysburg Address and present the class with its flag. Other speakers will include Gettysburg Mayor William Troxell and Gettysburg College Interim President Janet Morgan Riggs.

While en route to the cemetery, Orientation group leaders and volunteer facilitators will familiarize first-year students with downtown businesses and historic landmarks, such as Thaddeus Stevens Hall, named after the abolitionist congressman and College co-founder who authored the 14th Amendment; the Eisenhower House, where the retired president and College trustee wrote his memoirs; the Wills House, where Lincoln stayed the night before his Address; and the Jennie Wade House, where the battle's only civilian casualty was felled by a stray bullet.

First-year students this year total approximately 723, coming from 37 states and 14 foreign countries. The class of 2012 was drawn from the second largest applicant pool in the College's history. Some 38 percent of applicants were admitted. Total enrollment this year is forecast at approximately 2,600. The first day of classes is Sept. 1.

Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences. It is located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. The college was founded in 1832.