Reunion Weekend Schedule

Alumni College Classes: Session 1

*Bridging Divides: Learn the Language and Skills to Dialogue Across Difference
Room 200, Science Center
There’s a lot of talk these days about a polarized America – and a massive community of bridge-builders determined to teach us how to listen to each other, learn from each other, and move our country forward, together. In this session you’ll meet some of those uniters and practice the ABCs of constructive dialogue. You’ll leave with the tools and motivation to go home to your families, communities, organizations and businesses prepared to build bridges, use difference as a strength, seek common ground, and make our world a better place to live.

Instructor: Tracie Potts, Executive Director, Eisenhower Institute

*History & Mythology: The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Room 300, Science Center
For most Americans, the name Rosa Parks conjures up images of a tired seamstress who quietly changed history by refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus, sparking a nonviolent boycott that gave the modern civil rights movement its first clear-cut victory. But this traditional narrative of both Parks and the boycott itself is deeply flawed, obscuring a much more complicated story of decades of political organizing on the part of Montgomery’s Black women; conscious attempts to rewrite the origins story of the protest; and a ferocious backlash that drove the Parks family from the city. This class will focus on “cracking open” the history of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, introducing new characters, and revealing the rich layers underneath the familiar narrative. In examining the interplay of history and myth surrounding the boycott, we’ll explore how “The Montgomery Story” emerged, spread, and ultimately edged out more complex accounts of this important chapter in civil rights history.

Instructor: Dr. Jill Ogline Titus, Interim Director, Civil War Institute
Co-Coordinator, Public History Minor & Interim Program Coordinator, Civil War Era Studies
Gettysburg College

*Creativity, Innovation, and Robots
Innovation and and Creativity Lab, Room 114, West Building
Discover the innovative technology being used to enrich the education of students at Gettysburg College. This class will highlight the tools and methodology of the Creativity and Innovation lab. At the end of the class attendees will create a light up paper robot using a copper circuit.

Instructor: Josh Wagner, Manager, Innovation and Creativity Lab

*The Rise of Autocracies and the Loss of Human Rights
Room 200, Science Center
Human Rights is a principle that democracies sought to initiate and protect around the globe following World War II with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, with the rise of autocratic rulers and their focus on unlimited profit and unregulated government controls, there has been a breakdown in respecting the dignity of human beings. Rev. Geoff Curtiss ’70 will talk about the implications of this breakdown from his experience serving on the Board of Cristosal (Cristosal.org). Cristosal’s mission is to defend human rights and promote democratic rule of law in Central America. In the face of violence and tyranny, we accompany victims of human rights violations in their efforts to seek dignity and equality. Under the new administration, there have been severe cuts to NGO’s ability to promote democracy and human flourishing.

Instructor: Rev. Geoff Curtiss ’70, Cristosal Board Member

*Get your Strength On
Meet in Room 100, Bream Wright Hauser Athletic Complex, then move to Ortenzio Fitness Center
Join the College’s new strength and conditioning coach for an informational session about the future of Gettysburg strength training. Meet Reggie Overton, and hear about his programming philosophy and vision for the strength and conditioning department. Then end the session with a hands-on tour and demonstration in the fitness center.

Instructor: Reggie Overton, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

*Kill the Indian: The Carlisle School and Native America
Room 200, Science Center
The Carlisle School (1879-1918) was the first federal off-reservation boarding school for Native Americans, and it initiated the era of forced assimilation of Native American children into U.S. society. But its founder’s efforts to “kill the Indian, save the man” unintentionally helped create a new generation of Native American leaders for the twentieth century. In this presentation, we will discuss the origins and consequences of the Carlisle School from the perspective of its students.

Instructor: Tim Shannon, Chair and Professor of History

Tour
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Reception
7:00–8:30 p.m.

*The Einsteins of Comedy
Room 300, Science Center
In the 1950s, the GI Bill led many to go to college who had never thought they’d have the opportunity. As Albert Einstein moved to the US, a new collection of comedians came out of universities from Harvard to Chicago to Berkeley making comedy smarter and sharper. Tom Lehrer, Mort Sahl, and Mike Nichols and Elaine May (Nichols actually was Albert Einstein’s cousin) changed American comedy.

Instructor: Steve Gimbel, Philosophy Professor

*Constitutional Interpretation
Room 200, Science Center
The question as to what is the "proper" way to interpret the United States Constitution is one that has sparked ongoing debate and disagreement over the years. To cite a recent example, the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision from last year has been the subject of considerable criticism, with charges that the Court has exceeded its proper role and, in effect, added new provisions to the Constitution. I've been studying and teaching about this subject for sixty years this fall. I will discuss conclusions I have reached as to the "proper role", and I will add a few favorite stories about justices who have served on the Court and their own approaches to constitutional interpretation.

Instructor: James S. Todd ’65, J.D., Ph. D., Assistant Professor (Retired), Department of Politics, University of Virginia

*From the Piano Bench: Making Music at Musselman Library
Musselman Library Apse, Main Floor
Join us for an interactive exploration of American popular song in the home at the start of the twentieth century. Pump the pedals on our 1901 player piano, spin a shellac record or a wax cylinder on our Victrola or Amberola, and feast your eyes on historic sheet music from Special Collections. Betsy Bein and Carolyn Sautter will highlight our variety of songs and music technology and will share some of the ways we engage students with these musical marvels for recreation and education.

Instructors: Betsy Bein, User Services Librarian and liaison to the Sunderman Conservatory, and Carolyn Sautter, Director of Special Collections and College Archives and liaison to Civil War Era Studies and Theatre Arts

*Music of the ‘70s: From punk to classical, how music helped shape a decade
Room 200, Science Center
This course will explore the music of the 1970s focusing on popular music, classical music and jazz. How did punk rock, disco, postmodern classical, Latin jazz and other genres change the musical world. This course will also explore the roll the club scene and television had in shaping music during the decade.
Instructor: Mark A. Stickney ’95, DMA, Founder, Historic Music of Newport, Artistic Director, Seacoast Wind Ensemble

Instructor: Dr. Ian Isherwood ‘00, Associate Professor of War & Memory Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Department, History Department Affiliate

*Bravura: A Musicological Detective Story
Paul Recital Hall, Room 222, Schmucker Hall
You can be one of the first people in the world to hear the extraordinary music of genius composer Agnes Tyrrell, forgotten for over a century but finally coming to light. Though erased by history, Tyrrell created a substantial body of work, including orchestral music, dozens of songs and piano pieces, and even an opera. The music itself is virtuosic and beautiful, full of passion and mirth. Professor Jocelyn Swigger has been publishing and premiering Tyrrell’s music, leading the excavation of sound and story from silent manuscripts. In this lecture-recital you can hear music, stories (including some unanswered questions!), and images of discovering a great composer and her world.

Instructor: Jocelyn Swigger DMA, Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, Sunderman Conservatory of Music

The Ever-Changing, Always-Interesting, Wonderful World of Admissions and Higher Ed
Room 200, Science Center
The college admissions process has evolved dramatically over the last 10, 25, and 50 years. With numerous technological developments, changing student demographics, and a much more high-profile visibility in politics, there are both more challenges and opportunities than ever. Join Mary in an engaging discussion of how the landscape, the rules, and the students have changed (and remained the same!). The session will also include an interactive case study to offer an ‘insider’s look’ at the application review process.

Instructor: Mary Smith ‘00, Director of Admission for Recruitment and Selection

*Class of 1975 50th Reunion Social 
The Attic

*All Reunion Class Social 
Atrium Dining, Patio and Lawn
All classes are welcome! Good food, great friends and live entertainment!

Class of 1985 Gathering
The Upper Crust, 19 York Street
Join us for a casual meet-up with classmates.

Class of 2005 Gathering
The Pub, 20 Lincoln Square
Join us for a casual meet-up with classmates.

President’s Address and Awards Ceremony
Ballroom, College Union Building (CUB)
Remarks from President Iuliano, class reunion gift presentations, and alumni awards.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD (for a lifetime of service to Gettysburg College)
David Brennan '75
Jim Heston '70

YOUNG ALUMNI - SERVICE AWARD (for service to Gettysburg College)
Jaclynn Cross '10
Victor Smith '10 (posthumously)

YOUNG ALUMNI - CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD (for professional achievement)
Bryan Barth '13
Matthew Giallongo '12

Phi Kappa Psi Open House
1st Floor Living Room, Mosaic House, 102 W. Water Street (formerly known as Weiser Hall)

Class Reunion Photos

Class of 1965 - 1:45 p.m. - Heritage Society Lunch
Class of 1970 - 2:00 p.m. - Peace Light Steps
Class of 1975 - 12:00 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 2000 - 12:15 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 1985 - 1:15 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 1990 - 1:30 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 1995 - 1:45 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 1980 - 2:00 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 2005 - 2:30 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall
Class of 2010 - 2:45 p.m. - North Steps, Pennsylvania Hall

*Class of 1970 Walk to the Peace Light and Class Photo
Meet in front of The Dining Center to begin the walk to the steps of the Peace Light.
The class will make its traditional pilgrimage to the Peace Light for the class photo. Vans will be provided for those who do not wish to walk.