Gettysburg College announces 2026 honorary degree recipients

Gettysburg College will confer four honorary degrees during its 191st Commencement ceremony on May 16, recognizing individuals whose professional achievements, leadership, and service embody the College’s mission to educate students for lives of impact.

The Class of 2026 will celebrate the accomplishments of songwriter and librettist Kate Anderson ’09, who will also serve as the keynote speaker. Joining Anderson as honorary degree recipients will be policy strategist Susan Eisenhower, arts leader Chad Smith, and historian and educator James G. Basker.

Honorary degrees are typically awarded at Commencement to individuals whose contributions are outstanding in areas such as the arts, public life and government, humanities and social sciences, and natural and applied sciences.

Learn more about this year’s honorary degree recipients below.

Kate Anderson ’09

Kate Anderson ’09 is an acclaimed songwriter and librettist whose work spans film, television, and the stage. A graduate of Gettysburg College with double majors in music and creative writing, Anderson has built a dynamic career at the intersection of storytelling and music, earning Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her theatrical work. She is widely known for her contributions to the Apple TV series “Central Park” and Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” as well as for co-writing music featured in Disney’s “Zootopia+” and other major productions.

At Gettysburg, Anderson developed the creative foundation that continues to inform her work, combining her passions for music, writing, and performance. Her time on campus helped shape her collaborative approach to storytelling and her commitment to artistic innovation.

Since graduating, she has premiered multiple original musicals, including “The Book Thief” and “Austenland,” with productions staged internationally. Anderson’s work reflects a deep commitment to imaginative storytelling, and she continues to inspire emerging artists through her success in the creative industries.

James G. Basker

James G. Basker is a distinguished historian, literary scholar, and educator whose work has significantly advanced the study of the Enlightenment, the Black Atlantic, and the history of slavery and abolition. Basker is the Richard Gilder Professor of Literary History at Barnard College. He has served as president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute (GLI) of American History since 1997, where he has led national initiatives to strengthen history and civics education in K-12 schools. GLI partners with Gettysburg College to offer an online master’s degree in American history.

Basker’s scholarship spans literature and history, with influential publications on figures such as Samuel Johnson and anthologies documenting early antislavery writings. His work has helped bring greater attention to marginalized voices and the transatlantic dimensions of the abolitionist movement.

A former Rhodes Scholar, he has received numerous fellowships and awards and has taught at leading institutions in the United States and abroad. Through his teaching, writing, and public scholarship, Basker has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to expanding historical understanding and fostering informed citizenship.

Susan Eisenhower

Susan Eisenhower is a distinguished policy strategist, author, and expert on national security, energy, and international affairs. Over a decades-long career, she has advised government leaders, contributed extensively to public discourse through hundreds of published op-eds, and authored five books, including the widely acclaimed “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions,” which chronicled the approach to leadership by her grandfather, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She is the founder of The Eisenhower Group, Inc., a consulting firm that provides strategic counsel to major corporations and organizations.

Eisenhower’s connection to Gettysburg College is both profound and enduring. For more than 15 years, Eisenhower has played a central role in leading programs at the Eisenhower Institute, which she co-founded and served as expert-in-residence and chair emerita. She has mentored more than 150 Gettysburg students through immersive seminars on strategy and leadership, guiding them to engage thoughtfully with complex global challenges.

Her work has helped bridge academic study with real-world application, reinforcing the College’s commitment to developing principled leaders. Eisenhower’s legacy at Gettysburg is defined by her dedication to students and her belief in their capacity to lead in times of global uncertainty.

Chad Smith

Chad Smith is the Julian and Eunice Cohen President and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), one of the world’s leading cultural institutions. Since assuming the role in 2023, Smith has advanced a vision that honors the BSO’s long-standing tradition of artistic excellence while expanding its reach as a dynamic, inclusive organization. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, including his tenure as president and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he has helped redefine the role of orchestras in contemporary society.

A classically trained vocalist, Smith brings a performer’s perspective to his leadership, emphasizing collaboration, education, and community engagement. He has curated innovative programming that bridges musical genres and artistic disciplines, creating new opportunities for audiences to experience classical music.

Under his leadership, the BSO continues to deepen partnerships across Boston and the Berkshires, positioning the orchestra as a hub for creative expression and learning. Smith’s work reflects a commitment to ensuring that the arts remain a vital and accessible part of public life.

Join us for the Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 16, 2026!

By Corey Jewart
Photos provided by subjects
Posted: 04/21/26