Gettysburg College welcomed 715 new students to campus during its Move-In Day and Convocation ceremony. It was a day focused on new beginnings, with students, faculty, and administrators alike sharing the excitement that comes with the start of a new school year.
Students were welcomed during the Convocation ceremony by Psychology Prof. Sahana Mukherjee, Student Orientation Coordinator Ashley Sauer ’17, and President Janet Morgan Riggs ’77. They discussed everything from the active role students are expected to play in their education to their responsibility and collective potential as members of a larger Gettysburg community.
“As a Gettysburgian, we want you to play an active and critical role in your education,” Mukherjee stated. “I urge you to respectfully challenge your peers and your professors; seek your professors out—we want to hear from you! The class sizes are small, which means it is hard to hide and be a passive listener!”
As a senior, Sauer shared many of the experiences that have had the greatest impact on her over the past three years, as well as advice for the newest class of students.
“You may not realize this on your first day here, but when you stand on this campus as a senior—like I am standing before you today—and are about to depart from this wonderful place, you will realize how amazing this student body is when we come together and work towards a common goal of betterment,” Sauer said. “Each of you will have your own individual academic experience on campus, but you have to remember that you are a piece of a larger, social experience at Gettysburg College.”
An anthropology and biology double major, Sauer discussed the importance of being able to take an active role in her education and experience. Specifically, she cited her experience studying abroad in Denmark as particularly transformative and demonstrative of the importance of engaging in different perspectives and intellectual curiosity.
“People at this college expect you to push yourself, to explore all of your options in order to make your own unique path in the world, and above all, we want you to ask questions,” Sauer said. “Asking questions is the only way you are going to learn and be able to continue the long history of betterment that this school has seen. It is the only way you are truly going to be curious, engage difference, make an impact, and own your experience.”
Janet Morgan Riggs ’77 was also able to draw on her experience as a student and member of the Gettysburg College community. And while some of the technology and tools that she used while a student have changed, she argued that there are a few similarities—the mix of excitement and anxiety that comes with moving in to college, the ability for students to play an active role in their education, and the foundation of a Gettysburg education that challenges students, faculty, and alumni to do great work.
“Doing great work means stepping up and making an impact. It means being a leader others can count on, and voice for those without a say,” Riggs said. “Every one of you has tremendous individual potential. And together, you and our community of fellow Gettysburgians have tremendous collective potential to make a positive difference here in our community—and beyond it, out in our world—to do truly great work. Now is the time to begin.”
At this point in the ceremony, new students heard the alma mater, sung by the Sunderman Conservatory of Music student Molly Clark ’17, and were invited to process through Pennsylvania Hall, marking both their matriculation into the College and the beginning of a timeless tradition that serves as the bookends to a Gettysburg education. Students process with their class through Pennsylvania Hall once more, on the occasion of their graduation from the College.
View pictures from Move-In on Flickr and watch video of the Convocation ceremony.
Other notable Orientation events include the 14th annual First-Year Walk, which will be held on Thursday, August 25. Gettysburg College students, faculty, and staff will walk from the College to the national cemetery, recreating the walk taken in 1863 as members of the College community accompanied President Abraham Lincoln to the cemetery, where he delivered the Gettysburg Address. Supervisory Historian for Interpretation and Education at Gettysburg National Military Park Chris Gwinn ‘06 is the event’s featured speaker. Mayor Theodore Streeter will also speak at the event and welcome the incoming class by presenting Seth Zimmann ’20 with a key to the town.
New students will also be able to participate in Friday morning’s GIV Day, Saturday evening’s Experience Gettysburg event (a forum offering perspectives from current students), and Sunday afternoon’s Field Day on Stine Lake.
Check out the top 10 Orientation experiences and view other College traditions.
Use #gburg2020 on Twitter and Instagram to join the conversation, follow the incoming class’s experience, and share your own Orientation stories.
