Addi Journey ’28 uses adaptability and passion to shape her own path at Gettysburg

“Gettysburg allows me to have a lot of different roles,” said Addi Journey ’28. “I can be a student, I can be an actress, I can be an athlete, I can be a mentor. On some days, I can just be a Gettysburgian, and I am always proud to be one.” 

Journey, a psychology and communication studies double major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is extremely passionate about everything she does, and that passion is exactly what drew her to Gettysburg. “All of the opportunities that we get ourselves wrapped up in are things that really matter to us, and that’s really reflective in how I go about my day,” she said. 

Though it took her some time to navigate all of Gettysburg’s opportunities and find a good balance with her studies, Journey has now realized she has plenty of time to explore all of her interests on campus. “When it comes to co-curriculars, what I love about Gettysburg is that if you want to do something, you can do it. But if you don’t have time for it right now, it does not matter. There will always be opportunities in the future,” she explained. 

Journey has now found her perfect balance of academics, Psi Chi Honor Society, club and intramural volleyball, campus jobs, and theatre. Though she is not a theatre arts major, Journey is extremely passionate about the performing arts and is part of the Owl and Nightingale Players, Shots in the Dark Improv, Listeners and Performers, and various theatre productions. 

“Academics are incredibly important to me, but I am duly passionate about co-curriculars, especially theatre and performing. Gettysburg has given me the space to do both,” Journey said. “The Theatre Arts Department is very flexible. They understand that not all of us are theatre majors or minors, that we all have lives outside of it. They make it very possible to be involved in performances while still being a student.” 

The newly developed communication studies major gives Journey an academic means to pursue her various interests. 

“The communication studies major at Gettysburg goes beyond the typical marketing and social media strategy classes. You are able to choose classes in fields like history, cinema and media studies, and English, and it all counts for the major,” she explained. “I am learning so many flexible skills by being a double major because psychology and communication studies work in tandem in so many ways. I am able to elevate my studies in both disciplines by learning about the other. That’s only possible because of how much Gettysburg allows you to explore academically.”

Beyond graduation, Journey is interested in pursuing a masters degree in school counseling, in the hopes of being able to work within a school system with a theater program she can assist with. “Gettysburg has set me up very well for that,” she said, reflecting on the balance of theatre and academics that she has developed as she has studied at Gettysburg. 

“I am learning so many flexible skills by being a double major because psychology and communication studies work in tandem in so many ways. I am able to elevate my studies in both disciplines by learning about the other.” - Addi Journey ’28 

 

Although she was unsure about her academic path when she first came to Gettysburg, by exploring a variety of classes during her first two years here, Journey declared both of her majors by the end of her sophomore year. 

Journey’s education at Gettysburg has gone far beyond her majors. As she reflects on the past two years and looks ahead, she knows the support system she has built at Gettysburg has prepared her for whatever future path she chooses.