Brendan Loder ’23, a business, organizations, and management major from Westfield, New Jersey, found his place at Gettysburg on the wrestling team. Currently a team captain for the second year in a row, he spends his time committing to the sport he loves, working at the Bullet Hole, and hanging out with his friends and teammates.
Loder began wrestling in third grade, but he never imagined he would progress to the collegiate level. “I am so happy I do it. It has been a great opportunity. I feel very blessed. We have a very diverse group of people on the wrestling team, but we all come together to wrestle as one. They have taught me a lot about leadership.”
He elaborated on the enduring lessons he’s learned here, saying, “Leadership is not just telling people what to do, but showing it to them and doing it with them. I try to lead by example because the way you carry yourself, in both the good and the bad, matters.”
Loder chose to attend Gettysburg because he knew he could continue his passion for wrestling, while still earning a premier liberal arts education. During his years on campus, he has found our campus community to be truly unique. “Everyone is so friendly and highly motivated. I’ve met some of my best friends here,” he said. “The people really make the place.”
In his final semester before graduation, Loder hopes to continue to serve as a leader and be a good example for fellow Gettysburgians. His overarching message for Gettysburg College students is for “everyone to believe in themselves. Adversity is temporary and you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.”
By Cameron Jury ’23
Posted: 12/02/22