When music Prof. Brent Talbot address the Class of 2017 during Convocation nearly four years ago, he delivered a message that ran counter to common narratives.
“Let’s not tell our young people, ‘You are the future,’” Talbot said.
“This is dismissive of your participation now. It indicates that your time, your place, your circumstance is not now but somewhere in the future. I think this is hogwash. We desperately need the participation of young people now. This is your time, your place, your circumstance. We need your ideas, your action, and your participation. We need you to become agents of change to shape our age.”
He encouraged the then-incoming class to get involved and take advantage of the breadth and depth of opportunities available to them at Gettysburg.
Four years later, they’ve done that and more.
The Class of 2017—made up of 577 graduates—has embraced academic opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. They’ve majored in 41 different subjects and minored in 36 different programs, and 57% of them have conducted original research with a faculty mentor.
They’ve challenged their worldview by studying globally. 320 students in the graduating class studied in 41 different countries.
They’ve had an impact, too. 86% have completed community service, and 64% have held a leadership role on campus.
Throughout it all, they’ve kept an eye towards their future career success. 80% of the graduating class completed an internship, and they’ve had countless opportunities for career exploration through the Center for Career Development.
Get to know more about the graduating class. Watch the video above, or view it on Youtube.
