As Gettysburgians, we have a special responsibility to strengthen democracy.
On November 19, 1863—following the bloodiest battle of the Civil War—President Abraham Lincoln stood before Gettysburg students, faculty, and townspeople and proclaimed “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Today, we are seeing democracy challenged, both in the United States and around the world. Inspired by our history, we are called to rise to this decisive moment.
Our Strengthening Democracy programming is designed to prepare students to engage complex questions about democracy through effective leadership and socially responsible citizenship. We provide forums to examine democracy, give voice to unspoken histories, and model how we can engage across difference, thoughtfully and respectfully.
