Before he was revered as one of the greatest leaders our world has ever known, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was shaped by the teaching and mentorship of Major General Fox Connor.
Recognizing Eisenhower’s potential during his previous postings, including his time in Gettysburg, Connor selected Ike as his second-in-command in Panama in 1922. There, the two fell into a routine of deep intellectual engagement. Their morning rides together served as informal lessons, with Connor giving Ike an assigned reading list packed with seminal works on history and military strategy, including Carl von Clausewitz’s classics.
Their conversations pushed Ike to work harder than he ever had before. In fact, this intense tutelage is what paved the way for Eisenhower to attend the Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he ranked first in his class—setting the stage for his rise to leadership in the decade to follow.
This personalized mentorship changed Eisenhower forever—building his mind, testing his resolve, and transforming him into the leader Connor believed Ike could one day become. Eisenhower would later offer young people this powerful advice: “…Always try to associate yourself closely with and learn as much as you can from those who know more than you, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you. Don’t be afraid to reach upward.”
At Gettysburg College, we want our students to heed Eisenhower’s timeless words and be emboldened to reach upward. We achieve this by pairing our students with a truly world-class faculty.
For nearly two centuries, such one-on-one partnerships—a hallmark of a Gettysburg education—have helped generations of Gettysburgians to realize their highest aspirations and lead lives of consequence. This approach was personified by our beloved colleague and friend, Peter Carmichael, whose character and commitment will forever serve as an inspiration to our community (pg. 55).
As higher education confronts challenges and opportunities, our faculty are stepping forward in exciting ways for our students. In the last few years alone, they have passed a new core curriculum; explored generative artificial intelligence and its emerging influence and applications; and launched additional majors, most recently in finance and public health policy (pg. 11).
Beyond this, we’re also extending a Gettysburg education to new students by establishing new master’s programs, including our master’s in American history with the Gilder Lehrman Institute, our MBA 4+1 program with Loyola University Maryland (pg. 12), and—as I write this letter—a new master’s in education.
Our faculty’s spirit of innovation is a primary reason why, among all liberal arts colleges, the Princeton Review ranks Gettysburg College No. 10 for the Best Classroom Experience, and why U.S. News & World Report ranks us No. 35 for Best Undergraduate Teaching.
While our faculty are central to our students’ success, Gettysburg College students are surrounded by a constellation of mentors. From coaches to program directors to our exceptional dining staff, like Connor, every member of this campus plays a vital role in uplifting and encouraging our students to be their very best.
Of course, our alumni are essential to this work as well. Beginning this summer, we will proudly formalize this mentorship role by inviting our 32,000 alumni to volunteer to become an Alumni Mentor for a student as part of the Gettysburg Approach. Situated alongside a student’s Faculty Advisor, Co-Curricular Advisor, and Career Advisor, each Alumni Mentor will be a member of our Personal Advising Teams, providing students with invaluable advice and support.
Most institutions couldn’t dream of providing this level of personalization. We’re actively doing it! Visit www.gettysburg.edu/mentor to learn more and express interest in being an Alumni Mentor today. I hope you’ll join us in empowering our next generation of great leaders and citizens.
Sincerely,
Bob Iuliano
President