Gettysburgians rise to the challenge for 11th annual Gettysburgives

Donors around the world unite to raise more than $722,000 in support of student experiences as part of Gettysburg College’s distinct approach to learning.

Showing their commitment and passion for Gettysburg College, 2,301 donors from around the world came together to raise $722,959 during the 11th Annual Gettysburgives Challenge on March 26-27. These gifts provide financial support to all aspects of the student experience, including campus programming, scholarships, athletics, experiential learning opportunities, and student-faculty research.

Combined with the 36-hour Bullets Teams Challenge in December, our community raised more than $1.3 million during these events to ensure our students can continue preparation for a lifetime of career advancement and personal success as part of the Gettysburg Approach. Additionally, a group of anonymous trustees committed $940,000 to the Gettysburg Fund to inspire the community to participate in Gettysburgives.

Read below to learn more about the Gettysburgives Challenge and join us in celebrating the generosity of the Gettysburg community.

The baseball team topped its donor goal by 252% during the Bullets Teams Challenge last December.

Opening pitch

The Bullets Teams Challenge rose to new heights in a record-setting 36-hour performance in December. Nearly 2,100 donors came together to raise $654,672 to support Gettysburg athletics. Among the best performing teams was baseball, which topped its donor goal by 252%, while 11 teams in total surpassed their donor goals.

The funds raised as a result of the challenge will support a number of budgetary needs for the athletic programs, including purchasing new uniforms, upgrading equipment, enhancing facilities, and securing adequate travel options to and from competitions. During Gettysburgives, an additional $19,123 was raised to support the Orange & Blue Club.

Students build plush squirrels during the festival — Students build plush squirrels nicknamed Gratitude Gus at the Gettysburgives Festival.

Gettysburgives Festival

Despite a windy and cool day outside, hundreds of students made their way to Stine Like for the 3rd Annual Gettysburgives Festival. Uncle Moe’s Soul Food, Taco Trap House, and Ziggy’s Donutz supplied an array of delicious food, while College staff made popcorn and cotton candy. As they enjoyed their meals, many students ventured to various tables to write personal notes letting donors know how much they appreciate the opportunities created by their gifts, including scholarships, study abroad trips, internships, and research with faculty.

The star of the festival was Gratitude Gus, a plush squirrel students could build. Dozens of squirrels adorned in orange and blue beads and Gettysburgives pins went home with thankful students before the end of the event.

The Penn Hall Cupola with the Class of 2026 flag.

Class of 2010 leads reunion giving

With 57 gifts, the Class of 2010 led all reunion classes and will have their class flag flying proudly above the Penn Hall Cupola during Reunion Weekend. The Class of 2010 represented a groundswell of support, which culminated in more than 400 gifts and $147,005 raised by reunion classes (classes ending in 0 or 5). Additionally, generous reunion sponsors committed $160,000 to inspire their reunion classmates this year.

We want to extend a very special thanks to our reunion sponsors: John Nagle '65, Dave Radin ’65, Dave Berry ’70, Barbara Horsey O’Connor ’75, Claudia Bard Veitch ’80, Peter Carlson ’80, Kitty Baker White ’85, Steven Parker ’85 and Deirdre Fallon Parker ’86, Jason A. Blavatt ’90, Peter Cordray ’95, C. Brett Montich ’00, Erin Curtiss ’05, Sam Harrison ‘10 and Julia Hodge Harrison ’10, Devin Garnick ’15, Emma Gruner '20, Sofia Mouritsen ’20, and Brian Brady ’20.

Students engaged in research supported by the Gettysburg Fund.. — Gifts to the Gettysburg Fund support student experiences across campus, including student-faculty research.

Supporting the student experience

Support of scholarship and financial aid is a major component of Gettysburgives, and this year, 223 donors made a gift to help ensure our students have access to our unique approach to learning. Donors showed their passion for Musselman Library with 79 gifts totaling over $9,500, and the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) also topped $9,000 in giving. More than $12,000 was committed to the Student Emergency Fund, which assists students who deal with unexpected emergency expenses during the semester, such as illness, medical emergency, death of a family member, or transportation.

More Gettysburgives highlights:

Alumni gather in Philadelphia for Gettysburgives.

Every class from 1953 through 2024 was represented in this year’s Gettysburgives Challenge, and we want to recognize our most senior alumni donors representing the Class of 1953, Marian Bruden Henschen ’53 and Harold Carr ’53!
For the second straight year, more than 200 BOLD (Burgians of the Last Decade) alumni participated in Gettysburgives. The Class of 2015, celebrating its 10th reunion this year, led the BOLD charge with 38 gifts.
Donors from across the nation and the globe joined Gettysburgives. Gifts were received from 45 states with Pennsylvania leading the charge with 661. Australia, Sweden, Belgium, and Singapore were among the nine countries represented by donors. Additionally, Gettysburgians hosted regional gatherings in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia.

Online advocates had an opportunity to inspire their classmates and friends and earn some Gettysburg swag. Utilizing their social media platforms, these 63 advocates inspired 115 donors to make a gift. As a thank you for their philanthropic leadership, advocates received special prizes including Gettysburg stickers, a custom Gettysburg canvas tote made in the Innovation and Creativity Lab, or a Gettysburg fleece blanket.

Gettysburg community members celebrating Gettysburgives success. — During the Gettysburgives Festival, students and staff filled a thank you banner with personal notes.

Together, we are great!

There are so many people across the Gettysburg community to thank for their efforts to make Gettysburgives a success year in and year out.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many challenge sponsors who sought to inspire our community through matching gifts, including Constance Maute ’67, Gary Barone ’74, Bonnie Hampton ’74, Oscar Myers ’75, Bob Martin ’79, Jack Martin ’79, Dick Hollyday ’79, Lorna Rice ’81, Corinna Krauskopf ’00, Leigh Korpal ’04, Tara Schellhorn ’04, Adrienne Gilbert ’05, Al Wilkins ’06, Alex Hoffmaster ’10, Scott Bye ’11, Jamie Welch ’18, and several other donors who chose to remain anonymous.

From dedicated staff making phone calls and counting gifts to local alumni contributing their time to make the festival a success, Gettysburgives is a campus-wide effort that is months in the making. We want to express a sincere thank you to all the students, staff, faculty, and alumni volunteers who came together to make this event a tremendous success!

Finally, thank you to all the donors who continue to make an impact on the lives of our students. Over the 36 hours of Gettysburgives, we witnessed an outpouring of support from our passionate and dedicated network of alumni, parents, and friends across the world. It is truly a reminder of what makes Gettysburg great!

Did you miss the Gettysburgives Challenge? Make your gift to Gettysburg College today.