Our first-class faculty believe in our students’ potential to Do Great Work and lead lives of meaning and consequence after graduation.
During his sophomore year, French major Will Oehler ’26 from Hollis, New Hampshire, sat in Prof. Florence Jurney’s office trying to figure out his next steps. His foray into an introductory chemistry course wasn’t going well and he was worried how it would impact his remaining time at Gettysburg College. Empathic to his needs, Jurney helped Oehler learn how to overcome obstacles to reach goals.
“The dedication and time she gave me was something I’ve only felt at home with my family,” Oehler said. “But that encompasses how Prof. Jurney leads in her classroom and as an advisor. She sees a human first; she builds an unwavering support system for her students and advisees that extends beyond academic blunders or achievements.”
Whether it’s through their approach to education or the personal attention they give to our students, Gettysburg College’s first-class faculty believe in our students and often go above and beyond to ensure they are leading successful lives after graduation and continuing to Do Great Work in their communities.
These meaningful interactions are impactful, setting students on their path through college and providing the foundation for A Consequential Education.
Before she arrived at Gettysburg, Morgan Unger ’26 took a summer course with Psychology Prof. Erin Clark. The experience at “Camp Psych” heading into her senior year at nearby Biglerville High School paved the way for Unger to choose Gettysburg for her undergraduate studies. This past summer, Clark asked Unger to serve as one of her teaching assistants for the one-week program on campus.
“With only a short amount of time knowing me, Prof. Clark had given me the confidence and opportunities to continue down the pathway to helping others,” noted Unger, a political science and psychology double major. “Camp Psych has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling opportunities I have experienced here at Gettysburg College.”
Similarly, Ella Prieto ’26 came to Gettysburg after meeting Public Policy Chair Anne Douds during her visit as a student at West Chester East High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. That interaction showed Prieto that Gettysburg was a special place with passionate people, driven to see her succeed.
“She is there for my triumphs and failures with sage advice and inspiring words,” said the public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies double major. “Prof. Douds fiercely advocates for her students, and I could not have a better mentor.”
For history and religious studies double major Julia Kerekes ’25, a conversation with Religious Studies Prof. David Walsh led to the early completion of her senior capstone project in religious studies by the end of her junior year. With her capstone completed, Kerekes has presented her work on purity culture in Orthodox Jewish women at a conference and is seeking to publish it in The Cupola, Gettysburg’s open access institutional repository of works produced by faculty, students, and other members of the College community.
“If it weren't for Professor Walsh's conversation about taking the capstone early I would not be able to publish this paper in The Cupola,” said the native of Hudson, Ohio. “He was excited for me to continue my journey on purity culture and orthodox Judaism and that is why this semester I am doing an independent study on this topic.”
An environmental studies and anthropology double major, Riley Nolan ’26 from Newmarket, New Hampshire, also feels confident in her knowledge and skills thanks to the incredible opportunities offered to her by Environmental Studies Prof. Sarah Principato and Prof. Randall Wilson and Anthropology Prof. Kirby Farah and Prof. Ben Luley.
“Without the support, guidance, encouragement, and challenges from these faculty and staff, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I’m eternally grateful for the impact they have had on my Gettysburg career,” said Nolan.
An elective course taught by sociology Prof. Emelio Bentances helped Kasey Varner ’14, senior manager in public relations and communications at 160over90, see an academic future beyond what she dreamed of when she first arrived at Gettysburg.
“When I received feedback on my final paper, Prof. Betances thought the paper had graduate-school level research and analysis,” said Varner, a history major. “As a first generation student, I never thought graduate school was in my future, but he got me thinking it was possible.”
Economics Prof. Brendan Cushing-Daniels was recently honored with the Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Endowed Teaching Award, recognizing his incredible commitment to the development of our students over the course of his three decades at Gettysburg. Peter McQuade ’21, a senior manager at Equativ, never had Cushing-Daniels in class, but his sage guidance as an advisor to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity helped the history major and track and field student-athlete stay organized and on top of his various responsibilities.
“BCD taught me that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always the easy thing,” recalled McQuade. “His leadership stuck with me and I still stay in touch with him to this day.”
This story is part of a series portraying the unique and passionate people who make Gettysburg College a consequential place to live and learn. Find out more about our approach to education and the people who make it possible below.
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By Corey Jewart
Photos courtesy of Abbey Frisco, Peter McQuade ’21, Ella Prieto ’26
Posted: 12/19/24
