As she enters senior year, Annie Bolenbaugh ’26 reflects on her journey at Gettysburg College—from navigating residential life as a first-year student to taking on leadership roles that have allowed her to strengthen the campus community. Most recently, she served as a speaker at Experience Gettysburg, during which she encouraged the Class of 2029 to lead with purpose.
I was really excited to share some of my experiences for the 2025 Experience Gettysburg event. My first year, I was very nervous about finding ways to fit into the Gettysburg community, especially concerning the residential experience. I know many incoming first-year students are scared of what that experience will look like, so I really wanted to emphasize that it is okay to be uncomfortable. In fact, that discomfort is what can fuel the most impactful changes.
My first-year residential experience consisted of the usual disruptions, such as people getting excited over football games on Sunday nights, blasting music in the bathrooms, and jousting in the hallways with lacrosse sticks at 3 in the morning. I applied to RISE House for my sophomore year and got in. Much to my surprise, I also got the position of House Leader when I applied for that as well. In the position, I made a lot of strides toward building up a stronger substance-free community throughout campus, not just in the house. My passion fueled my approach to the role, and I got to interact with people from all over campus.
This year, I am one of the residential advisors of the first RISE-only first-year residence hall, so I get to provide a cohort of first-year students with the experience I know I would have benefited from during my first year.
Having the opportunity to share this experience with the entire Class of 2029 was really meaningful since I was able to share the value of my work as I wrap up my time at Gettysburg. I hope that by providing them with an ongoing example of how to support and uplift necessary communities on campus, the first-years will feel inspired to do so based on their own observations and needs.
Annie Bolenbaugh ’26 is a history and cinema and media studies double major from Ellicott City, Maryland. She is a resident advisor, history writing peer learning assistant, and former RISE House leader. Bolenbaugh studied abroad in Rome, Italy, and was a Civil War Institute Brian C. Pohanka intern with the National Park Service last summer.
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By Annie Bolenbaugh ’26
Photo by Corey Jewart
Posted: 09/29/25