Gettysburg celebrates historic 2025 achievements

From launching new majors and postgraduate partnerships to enhancing our students’ learning beyond the classroom, Gettysburg College supported student success at every turn in 2025. Take a look back at a few highlights that made this year one to remember.

Shining in the national rankings

Year after year, Gettysburg College earns top marks for its exceptional academics, career outcomes, and student experience. In 2025, we once again proved why our education is life-changing and lifelong.

Gettysburg was named No. 21 among liberal arts and sciences colleges for “Best Colleges in the U.S.” by The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse, No. 36 for “Best Undergraduate Teaching” by U.S. News & World Report, and No. 7 for “Best Classroom Experience” by The Princeton Review, among other notable rankings.

In addition, the College was recognized as one of 75 colleges and universities nationwide on the “New Dream Schools” list featured in the book “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You” by New York Times bestselling author and higher education expert Jeff Selingo.

New academic opportunities

The beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year witnessed the introduction of three new majors at Gettysburg College: finance, public health policy, and communication studies.

The College also celebrated the launch of its own online Master of Education degree program in educational design and inquiry. In addition, Gettysburg announced several postgraduate academic affiliations throughout the year, including with Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University, the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Syracuse University, and Towson University.

During the Spring 2026 semester, Gettysburg students will participate in a new faculty-led semester program in Bonn, Germany, at the Academy for International Education (AiB).

Faculty scholarship and professional development

Gettysburg’s commitment to lifelong learning was on vivid display this year, particularly through faculty education opportunities offered by the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning (JCCTL). These activities addressed topics such as artificial intelligence—including its challenges and opportunities for teaching and learning—through workshops and programs such as the Summer Pedagogy Institute.

Several members of Gettysburg’s faculty, including Chemistry Prof. Timothy Funk ’00, Chemistry Prof. Kate Buettner, and Biology Prof. Alex Trillo, received substantial grants from the National Science Foundation, among others, to support their scholarly work in the sciences and engage Gettysburg students in their research.

Championship experience

Varsity athletics celebrated a new high during the 2024-2025 academic year with teams combining to win more than 67% of their contests. Three teams—women’s basketball, men’s golf, and women’s golf—claimed Centennial Conference championships, and a total of 11 athletic programs were represented at the NCAA Division III Championships. Gettysburg finished 29th in the NCAA Division III Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, the College’s highest finish ever.

The glorious Orange and Blue

Gettysburg College has always been a place that rises to meet the moment—a place where opportunity sparks meaningful action and where students are empowered to lead lives of consequence. That proud tradition continued this summer with the reveal of our new visual identity, featuring an updated wordmark, seal, and the Gettysburg G.

Our enhanced visual identity was informed by hundreds of voices across the community, including current and prospective students, faculty, administrators, support staff, alumni, trustees, and more. It represents the first change to the College’s identity in more than two decades.

Support for the student experience

Generous alumni and benefactors stepped up throughout the year to support the student experience. These contributors included Joseph ’75 and Susan ’77 Biernat, Anne Kuhlman Taylor ’66, Celia J. Kuhlmann ’75, the Ann McIlhenny Harward Interdisciplinary Fund for Music and Culture, and the Guided Pathways conference and convention fund.

In addition, 2,301 donors from around the world came together to raise $722,959 during the 11th Annual Gettysburgives Challenge on March 26 and 27. Wrapping up the year, the Bullets Team Challenge raised $738,915 from 2,471 donors. Twelve teams exceeded their goals by more than 100%, and 17 teams raised more than $10,000.

Connections that power our community

The College’s new Alumni Mentoring Program is off to a strong start with hundreds of alumni connecting with our students. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of the Gettysburg Network, students are gaining career and life skills from fellow Gettysburgians that will help them navigate life beyond Gettysburg. Additionally, new innovative programs such as the Finance Professional Affinity Network are continuing to strengthen connections within our expansive alumni network.

Transformations of campus spaces

Gettysburg’s campus saw several key upgrades in 2025. Our new Bloomberg Terminal Lab opened in the College Union Building (CUB), giving students access to real-time financial data, news, and analytics. The College also honored longtime benefactor Clarence B. “Jack” Rogers ’51 by naming the Rogers Center for Innovation and Creativity, now located in Plank Gym with expanded offerings, including an AI Media Lab and a Design Thinking Café.

Social spaces for students opened within Plank Gym this year, including an outdoor beer garden. Rounding out the year’s campus improvements, Stine Hall was renovated to create inviting living-learning spaces. Remaining West Quad residence hall renovations will continue during the Spring 2026 semester, while the Ballroom in the CUB awaits its reopening in the spring.

Milestones that moved us

In 2025, Gettysburg College celebrated standout programs and milestones—from the Gettysburg Alumni of Color Council’s (GACC) fifth anniversary to the Majestic Theater’s 100th. Alumni from GACC and the Garthwait Leadership Center, marking its 15th year, returned for Homecoming alongside students and staff. In November, the Majestic welcomed world-class performers Natalie MacMaster and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for its Centennial Celebration.

Looking ahead to 2026, the College will honor milestone anniversaries for the College Choir, Africana studies, and the Sunderman Conservatory of Music.

A year of Gettysburg pride

Campus spirit shone brightly throughout 2025—from a lively pre-game tailgate for the first-ever men’s lacrosse night game to an engaging Family Weekend in October. New students embraced their Orange and Blue pride during Get Acquainted Day, Orientation, and the year’s first Orange and Blue Day, complete with Rita’s Italian Ice and free Gettysburg College T-shirts. Alumni and families also shared in the excitement, returning for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend to reconnect with students, staff, and the vibrant Gettysburg community.

Read more about these accomplishments and explore more stories from 2025 in our news archive.