12th annual Gettysburgives Challenge raises $1.79 million to support students

Powered by the generosity of Gettysburgians around the globe, the 12th annual Gettysburgives Challenge surpassed every expectation—demonstrating once again what is possible when our community rises together.

During the 36-hour campaign from Wednesday, Feb. 25, through Thursday, Feb. 26 nearly 2,400 donors came together to raise $1,792,479 in support of academic excellence and the transformative student experience that defines the Gettysburg Approach. It marks the largest Gettysburgives effort in four years and a powerful investment in the next generation of changemakers.

“These 36 hours showcased the very best of the Gettysburg community,” said Tres Mullis, vice president for College Advancement. “When alumni, parents, and friends unite around a shared purpose, the impact is extraordinary. Every gift—no matter the size—reflects a deep belief in our students and in the transformative power of a Gettysburg education.”

These investments will strengthen every corner of campus life—from scholarships and campus programming to athletics, experiential learning, and student-faculty research—ensuring students have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to lead lives of impact.

Opening doors to opportunity

More than $200,000 was designated toward scholarship and financial aid thanks to a matching gift from a member of the Class of 1975. The support helps pave the way for students around the globe to access Gettysburg’s unique approach to education. With 322 donors, scholarship and financial aid also saw nearly 100 more gifts than a year ago.

Additionally, more than $22,000 was committed to the Student Emergency Fund, which assists students with emergency expenses during the semester, such as illness, medical emergency, death of a family member, or transportation. 

Students leading the charge

This year, eight student organizations took part in a head-to-head challenge to see who could rally the most donors. The top five organizations—Owl and Nightingale Players, Sigma Alpha Iota, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Young Americans for Freedom, and the women’s rugby club team—each earned an additional $100. Owl and Nightingale received an extra $200 bonus as the first organization to reach 25 donors and finished with a Challenge-best 32 donors overall.

Champions on and off the field

A complementary initiative to Gettysburgives, the Bullets Teams Challenge boasted another record-setting performance last December. The Orange and Blue Club’s (O&B) 36-hour challenge—Gettysburg’s largest fundraising effort in support of the athletics program—totaled more than $738,000, eclipsing the previous record by $84,000. The effort also received support from a record 2,471 donors, surpassing 2,000 donors for the third consecutive year. During Gettysburgives, O&B raised another $21,000, boosting the total fundraising effort for athletics during the two challenges to over $759,000.

More Gettysburgives highlights:

• Every class from 1953 through 2026 was represented in this year’s Gettysburgives Challenge. Marian Brudin Henschen ’53 was our most senior alumni donor.
• More than 1,300 alumni participated in the 36-hour challenge. With 58 gifts, the Class of 2009 led all classes, while the Class of 1975 set the pace in total giving, raising over $1 million.

• Parents who made a gift of $20 or more could send a specially designed cookie and personalized note to their student. More than 700 current and former parents pledged funds over the 36 hours, resulting in 300 cookies designated for student mailboxes in March.
• Gettysburgives was a worldwide phenomenon with gifts received from 14 different countries spanning Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Nationally, donors from 47 states made commitments led by Pennsylvania with 642. Gettysburgians celebrated in person at hosted regional gatherings in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia.

• Online advocates had an opportunity to inspire their classmates and friends and earn some Gettysburg swag. Using their social media platforms, these 73 advocates inspired 93 donors to make gifts. As a thank-you for their philanthropic leadership, advocates received special prizes, including Gettysburg stickers, a custom Gettysburg mug, or a Gettysburg fleece blanket.

Gratitude in action

As we celebrate another record-setting Gettysburgives Challenge, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every member of the Gettysburg community who made these 36 hours so extraordinary. To our alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends, thank you for giving, volunteering, advocating, hosting gatherings, sharing messages, and championing the causes that matter most to you.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many challenge sponsors who sought to inspire our community through matching gifts, including Anne Kuhlmann Taylor ’66, Bonnie Hampton ’74, Gary Barone ’74, Anne Hanley Casillo ’79, Jack Duffy ’79, Dick Hollyday ’79, Bob Martin ’79, Paul Welliver ’79, Skip ’81 and Karen Cowen, Teri Lanan ’81, Lorna Rice ’81, Jen Lehman ’83, Lisa Cardone ’84, Amy Tarallo ’90 and Tim ’89 Mikuta, Sue Bottone ’99, Brett Montich ’00, Leigh Korpal ’04, Al Wilkins ’06, Lauren Meehan Keefe ’09, Sara Harenchar Levinson ’09, Kevin Schmitt ’11, Charles Meehan ’11, Katey Stauffer ’13, James Welch ’18, and Kathleen and John Regentin P’29

From the dedicated volunteers who helped strengthen the campaign and our online advocates who inspired their classmates and friends, to the generous donors whose gifts will shape the student experience for years to come—your passion fuels our momentum. Because of you, Gettysburg students will continue to thrive through scholarships, transformative learning experiences, campus programming, athletics, and student-faculty research.

Did you miss the Gettysburgives Challenge? Make your gift to Gettysburg College today.

By Corey Jewart
Posted: 03/09/26