As chair of the Burgians of the Last Decade (BOLD) Council, Anna Baldasarre ’14 looks for opportunities to support current students and engage with young alumni. It’s the same kind of support—powered by a passionate community ready and waiting to help—she received as a student at Gettysburg College and the years following her graduation.
An English and sociology double major at Gettysburg, Baldasarre has served on the BOLD Council since 2019 and helped plan both her fifth reunion and her upcoming 10th year reunion. As BOLD chair, she is also an ex officio, non-voting member of the Board of Trustees and represents the interests of young alumni related to the future of the College. Her active involvement with her alma mater follows an equally active undergraduate career, where she served on various organizational boards and Student Senate, participated in music and dance ensembles, worked in the Admissions Office, and was the student coordinator for Orientation and Convocation speaker for the Class of 2017.
Since graduating from Gettysburg a decade ago, Baldasarre has applied the knowledge and enduring skills she gained through her co-curricular experiences to a career in higher education, working at Saint Francis University, Dickinson College, and Millersville University. Currently, she is the associate director of annual giving marketing at Franklin & Marshall College.
Baldasarre recently looked back on her time on campus, the opportunities that helped forge her career path, and the importance of staying engaged with her alma mater:
Why did you choose to attend Gettysburg College?
“I was considering a few small liberal arts schools, but it was attending Get Acquainted Day that made me choose Gettysburg. Being on campus, feeling the energy of the community, and meeting my future classmates, it was the place where I could see myself really belonging for the next four years.”
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?
“There are so many I could choose! Some of my favorites are simple ones, like hanging out with my best friends in the residence halls or going to dinner once a week with my sister, who’s a member of the Class of 2012. I enjoyed working in the Attic, and I stayed on campus the summer before my senior year as the student Orientation coordinator. I studied abroad in South Africa during the fall of my junior year. I love the traditions that bring the entire campus together, like Convocation, Servo Thanksgiving, and Commencement—I still look forward to following along with those events from afar each year.”
How did Gettysburg’s unique approach to learning lead you to your current career?
“When I went back to school for my master’s degree, I found that the rigor of Gettysburg academics had fully prepared me to take on the demands of studying part-time alongside my full-time job. The education I received outside the classroom was just as important as the skills I learned inside the classroom. A few years ago, I transitioned from student affairs to annual giving. It was in part through volunteering with the BOLD Council and the continued support of the Gettysburg Network that helped me understand how my experiences were transferable and gave me the confidence to articulate my capabilities. The enduring skills that I cultivated as a student have given me a solid foundation on which my career can continually evolve.”
What inspires you to remain engaged with Gettysburg?
“I love that when I meet another alum, regardless of class year, we can immediately connect over our shared identity as Gettysburgians. Even if we had very different experiences as students, I am inspired by being part of a community that is bigger than myself.”
“We are all interconnected, and we can all play a part in ensuring that Gettysburg continues to thrive.”
– Anna Baldasarre ’14
As a young alumna, why is Gettysburg one of your top philanthropic priorities?
“I started giving back through my senior class gift campaign. The amount I can give has changed over the years, but I’ve always made Gettysburg one of my top philanthropic priorities. I was able to attend Gettysburg because generous donors made it possible for me to receive a scholarship, and then faculty and mentors invested their time and expertise in my education. I made wonderful friendships that continue to enrich my life. I owe so much to those who came before me that I see it as my responsibility to pay it forward for current and future students.
“It’s for these same reasons that I have served as a volunteer on my reunion committee and the BOLD Council. Recent graduates can provide an important perspective since they both understand what it’s like to be a student today and are navigating post-grad life with other alumni. There are many different ways to give back, but I think every young alum has been impacted by the generosity of those who came before us. If everyone gives what they can, we can make Gettysburg even better for future students.”
What is BOLD Council, and what is your role as chair?
“The BOLD Council strives to help recent graduates transition to life as alumni and encourages young alumni to remain connected to the college. Our work primarily focuses on promoting career development, encouraging alumni to give back to the college, and creating connections through social and educational opportunities. The chair serves as chief executive officer of the council, with responsibility for overseeing all of the work that we do. I work closely with College representatives in College Advancement and the other elected leaders of the council.”
What do you think about the future of Gettysburg College?
“It’s no secret that higher education as an industry is facing challenges, but I think that Gettysburg is well-positioned to face them. One of Gettysburg’s greatest strengths is its people, and in turn the intelligence, creativity, and compassion that they encompass. We are all interconnected, and we can all play a part in ensuring that Gettysburg continues to thrive.”
By Corey Jewart
Photos by Doug Huber ‘06/ProArts Media and provided by subject
Posted: 02/06/24