The academic year came to a close in celebration of all the hard work and dedication of students and alumni during events leading up to and including Commencement Weekend and through a range of learning experiences with on-campus research and experiential trips.
Read on for campus happenings from the past month:
Sending off the Class of 2022
During Commencement Weekend on May 13-15, the Class of 2022 was recognized for its outstanding work over the past four years, both in the classroom and in the community. A quick downpour did little to dampen the mood of the assembled crowd during the Commencement ceremony. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy shared a memorable address, telling the new graduates, “You are now ready to Do Great Work for your community, your country, and your world.” Additional speakers included President Bob Iuliano, Phoebe Doscher ’22, and President of the Alumni Board of Directors Brian Orsinger ’01.
With NCAA Division III Championship playoff games taking place during Commencement Weekend, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams took part in a Special Commencement Ceremony on May 12. Eighteen student-athletes received their diplomas from President Iuliano in front of a packed crowd of family, friends, professors, and more inside Kline Theater.
Check out the full coverage of the Class of 2022 Commencement.
End of the season
Athletics closed out the year in stirring fashion with a conference championship and several national playoff appearances. Women’s lacrosse captured its record 13th Centennial Conference title with an 8-4 win over Franklin & Marshall on its home turf of Clark Field on May 8. The team hosted two weekends of national playoff contests and went on to advance to the NCAA Division III Championship semifinals. The men’s lacrosse team also made a big run in the national playoffs, picking up a pair of wins and advancing to the quarterfinals. Finally, Holly Ferrara ’24 qualified for the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships and gained All-America status with a fourth-place finish in the javelin.
The Bullet points
- On the last day of classes on April 29, the Sunderman Conservatory of Music showcased its broad range of musical expression by holding Gamelan Gita Semara on the patio outside Musselman Library. Founded by Prof. Brent Talbot, Gamelan is a Balinese gamelan angklung orchestra and is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania.
- On May 7, President Iuliano hosted the Class of 2022 for the Senior Toast prior to the start of finals. More than 200 members of the class attended the event with six seniors receiving Linnaean Awards for their leadership and involvement over the past four years: Hera Molina ’22, Flavia Scotto d’Antuono ’22, Daniel Jones ’22, Mirabelle Cohen ’22, Sydney Quan ’22, and Cam D’Amica ’22.
- While the Class of 2022 was busy preparing for their graduation, Gettysburgians who already processed through Penn Hall years prior stepped into the spotlight to be recognized as part of Spring Honors Day on May 13.
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Peter Barnes ’78 (posthumous), Dr. Michael Cain ’71, John Schiller ’68
- Meritorious Service Award: Gary Bootay ’63, Sue Colestock Hill ’67
- Young Alumni Service: Lisa Bogdanski Bildiren ’07, Arielle Distasio ’12
- Young Alumni Career Development: Lawrese Brown ’10, Joseph Gasparro ’07, Julius Redd ’07
- On May 28, Gettysburg College teamed with the United Way of Adams County to hold the 17th Annual Give It Up For Good Sale in Hauser Field House. Students donated reusable items as they moved out in May and everything was sold for below-thrift-store prices to benefit the United Way.
By Corey Jewart
Photos courtesy of Shawna Sherrell, Abbey Frisco, David Sinclair
Posted: 06/13/22
