Gettysburg College students shared their personal journeys of growth, leadership, and community on the Majestic Theater stage, inspiring the Class of 2029 during Orientation.
At the end of an impactful week of Orientation for the Class of 2029, five upperclass students were spotlighted on The Majestic Theater stage as they shared firsthand accounts of the transformative experiences that have taken place during their time at Gettysburg College.
Sitting under low-lighting in front of a darkened theater filled with more than 500 new Gettysburgians, Yaman Acharya ’26, Annie Bolenbaugh ’26, Lillian Boudreau ’26, Diptiman Das ’27, and Katie LaPlaunt ’28 spoke about the many opportunities they’ve each explored as undergraduates. Following the event, Bolenbaugh and Das reflected on what they shared with their new collegiate colleagues.
Annie Bolenbaugh ’26
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Majors: History & Cinema and Media Studies
“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 3:00 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 towards 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.”
Diptiman Das ’27
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Majors: Business, Organizations, and Management & Interdisciplinary Studies
“When I wrote my remarks for the Majestic, I thought back to the version of myself who first arrived at Gettysburg—quiet, uncertain, and unsure of where to begin. I chose to focus on those early experiences of invisibility not because they were easy to relive, but because they were honest. I wanted the new students to know that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, and that the real magic of Gettysburg begins when you start knocking on doors, sharing your ideas, and letting people see who you are.
“As one of the five student speakers, I had the privilege of carrying the pillar of giving back. For me, that meant showing how the opportunities I found here—whether through art, design, or community projects—were never just about me. They were about creating something that could touch others, whether it was painting in memory of Sara Gifford or helping design spaces that bring people together.
“My hope for the first-year class is simple: you don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room or have everything figured out. You just need to show up with sincerity and curiosity. This campus has a way of opening doors, often in surprising ways. If my speech gave even one student the courage to knock on that first door, and in time to give back in their own way, then it was worth sharing.”
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By Corey Jewart
Photos by Corey Jewart
Posted: 09/15/25