Alumni celebrate legacy and leadership during Homecoming and BOLD Weekend

Alumni from across generations returned to Gettysburg College for the 2025 Homecoming and BOLD Weekend, reconnecting with classmates, faculty, staff, and students through a vibrant lineup of celebrations, ceremonies, and campus events.

Each fall, Gettysburg College’s Homecoming and BOLD Weekend serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring connections that bind our community together.

From Oct. 3-5, alumni returned to the heart of campus to celebrate their shared Gettysburg experience—reuniting with classmates, reconnecting with faculty and staff, and engaging with current students who are continuing the College’s tradition of leadership and impact. Whether raising a toast with fellow Burgians of the Last Decade (BOLD), honoring transformative campus programs like the Garthwait Leadership Center, cheering on new inductees to the Hall of Athletic Honor, or mentoring the next generation of Gettysburgians, the spirit of connection was ever-present.

Explore highlights from the exciting weekend, as the past and present came together, celebrating the legacy of Gettysburg College while also shaping its future.

Burgians of the Last Decade (BOLD) alumni gathered for a reception at the new Beer Garden outside Plank Gym.

Welcome back, alumni!

Alumni spanning the last six decades returned to campus to explore, engage, and enjoy a host of festivities with classmates. Celebrating their 10th and 5th Reunions, respectively, the Class of 2015 and Class of 2020 took part in a mixer at Upper Crust on Friday evening before class pictures and a pregame tailgate Saturday. The Class of 2015 also embarked on a local pub tour in Gettysburg, while the Class of 2020 joined College President Bob Iuliano for a special “Senior Toast” on the patio outside the Jaeger Center. BOLD donors also had the opportunity to explore and create a custom project in the newly named Rogers Center for Innovation and Creativity on the first floor of Plank Gym.

Staff and students stand with GLC founder Bob Garthwait, Jr. ’82.

GLC celebrates 15th anniversary

The Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) has been a staple of leadership and mentorship since it was established in 2010. Alumni joined current students and staff to share memories of the impactful experiences they enjoyed as GLC leadership mentors and leadership certification participants. Executive Director Andy Hughes, who has led the GLC from the start, welcomed everyone to the Atrium on Friday night with additional remarks from Neil Bryant ’82, President Iuliano, and founder Bob Garthwait, Jr. ’82.

Hall of Athletic Honor

With more than 250 guests in attendance, the Hall of Athletic Honor recognized six new members and a new Team of Distinction during an induction ceremony in Hauser Field House. The six new members included legendary men’s lacrosse coach Hank Janczyk, Brian Abbott ’99 (men’s lacrosse), Jennifer Bengel Claiborne ’06 (women’s basketball), Lauren Boyd Leventry ’03 (volleyball), Paul Martin ’86 (football), and Kate Murphy Bashaw ’05 (women’s lacrosse). The 1985 football team, which won the Centennial Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament semifinals, was the Team of Distinction.

Exhibit curated by Westley Rathbun ’27 and Md Nafisul Hasan Sami ’27 at Schmucker Art Gallery. — “Footprints Across the Ocean: The Art of Gan Yu” is an exhibit in Schmucker Art Gallery curated by Westley Rathbun ’27 and Md Nafisul Hasan Sami ’27.

Student achievements on display

The outstanding work of our students was put on display for visiting alumni, family, and friends. Schmucker Art Gallery featured posters from China’s cultural revolution, curated by Ava Prickman ’28, and the art of Gan Yu, researched and organized by Westley Rathbun ’27 and Md Nafisul Hasan Sami ’27. In Musselman Library and Special Collections was a project curated by Camryn Council ’25 featuring written perspectives by women traveling around the world. Visitors could also stop by the West Gallery Art Exhibition to see Gettysburg mug prototypes created by Lucas Pacuraru ’27 under the supervision of Art and Art History Prof. Tina Gebhart. In Kline Theater, Gettysburg students performed special plays written by fifth graders from the Adams County Summer School of Excellence.

The Gettysburg Alumni of Color Council celebrated its fifth anniversary over Homecoming and BOLD Weekend.

Celebrating diversity and scholarship

The Gettysburg Alumni of Color Council (GACC) started five years ago with the charge to better connect the College with its growing BIPOC community and work toward a more equitable and socially just environment. Celebrating the power of legacy and the promise of leadership, GACC members past and present joined students and staff for a special reception in the Atrium, which also recognized the newest student recipients of the Myra T. Herron Scholarship and awarded certificates of appreciation to impassioned volunteers.

Greek organizations’ reception and awards ceremony honoring supportive alumni. — Greek organizations held a special reception and awards ceremony to recognize some of their most supportive alumni.

Greek life connections

The College’s sororities and fraternities reconnected with alumni throughout Homecoming. Alpha Phi Omega invited alumni to see the new chapter room in the basement of Christ Chapel, while Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Delta Pi hosted tailgate events prior to the football game against Franklin & Marshall College. Following the game, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, and Phi Gamma Delta also held postgame barbeques and receptions. The weekend wrapped up with the inaugural Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Awards Reception, highlighting the Alumni Advisor of the Year, Alumnae Advisor of the Year, Service to Chapter, and Service to Community awards.

Men’s lacrosse alumni game on Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. — Men’s lacrosse alumni competed against current student-athletes on Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

Back to the battlefield

Several athletic programs welcomed back alumni for special events alongside student-athletes and coaches, including women’s lacrosse, baseball, and volleyball. To cap off the weekend, the men’s lacrosse program hosted a tailgate and alumni game with more than 200 attendees at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium Saturday night.

Join us for another exciting and vibrant weekend of activities as part of Family Weekend Oct. 24-26!