Grammy-nominated artist’s residency offers students an inspiring exploration of Black culture, creativity, and the power of connection across disciplines.
Adorned in bright hues of yellow, orange, and turquoise, Valerie June walked through the round tables filled with Gettysburg College students, sharing her insight on the impact of Black culture and community and listening with an eager ear to the responses and questions from the inquisitive minds around the room. June’s aura lit up the meeting space upstairs in the College Union Building, inspiring deep, reflective thoughts on the journeys we’ve taken as human beings, and the paths we can forge together as a connected and united community.
Just weeks before the release of her new album, “Owls, Omens, and Oracles,” and a two-month, nationwide tour, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter spent three days engaging with College students and staff as part of a residency sponsored by the Ann McIlhenny Harward Interdisciplinary Fund for Culture and Music at Gettysburg College and the Office of the Provost. June’s residency was entitled “Black Country Music and the Art of Cultivating Community.”
“Working with the students was a highlight of my career,” said June. “I didn't know what to expect. I was so nervous, but being with their young, bright minds and hearing their different ideas and opinions was an incredible experience. I've been nominated for a Grammy, selected to my hometown hall of fame, and now I can say I did a residency with the students of Gettysburg College. Those three things are highlights of my career.”
Hailed by the New York Times as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents,” June is a musician, singer, songwriter, poet, illustrator, actor, certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor, and author. She has collaborated and shared the stage with world-renowned artists including Norah Jones, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dave Matthews, Elvis Costello, and Willie Nelson and made television appearances on The Tonight Show, CBS Saturday Morning, PBS, Austin City Limits, BBC, and many more.
Her Gettysburg residency included leading discussions in six different classes spanning Africana studies, music, and women, gender, and sexuality studies. In a combined class session with more than 70 students across three academic departments, she asked the students to think about the gifts each of us have to give to the world and the influence we can have by doing so.
“During Valerie's presentation, I found that her calming spirit, even when discussing a history of struggle in the Black community, was very inspiring,” noted Ainsley Green ’27, an English and music double major from Damascus, Maryland. “She had a way of connecting each person in the conference room together on a deeper level with her insights.”
June’s engagement with the community extended beyond the classroom with a poetry reading in the College Union Building and a fireside open mic at Stine Lake. She went off campus to present music and poetry to the elementary students at nearby Vida Charter School and led a walk to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial located just north of the College.
Her residency culminated in a free public concert at the Majestic Theater in downtown Gettysburg where she played past hits like “Workin’ Woman Blues” and “Somebody to Love,” as well as the lead track from her new album, “Joy, Joy!”, “Endless Tree,” and other never-before-heard songs. After June and her band wrapped up their main set, the singer returned to the stage to sing a stirring rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” leading to a standing ovation from the packed house.
“It was obvious from the meticulous work she did in preparation for her time at Gettysburg College that she thought through the complex artistic, experiential and intellectual roots of her music,” said Africana Studies and History Prof. Scott Hancock, who serves as director of Harward Fund programming. “That comes out in her performance—although part of the theme of her residency was ‘Black Country,’ she’s clearly an artist of country, blues, rock, indie and more. She can’t be easily pinned into one category and was an excellent match for the interdisciplinary goals of the Harward program.”
“I think it is wonderful that this College prioritizes bringing in notable figures to spread their knowledge and joy of learning to the next generation of scholars and artists that attend these events.”
– Ainsley Green ’27
June’s residency marked the second by an artist supported by the Harward Fund. Last spring, renowned blues musician Corey Harris engaged the community through class discussions, guitar workshops, school visits, and a public concert. The Harward program is made possible through the generous contributions of the Endeavor Foundation and was envisioned by Donald Harward P’86, P’92 as a tribute to his wife Ann. Ann grew up in the town of Gettysburg and spent her life dedicated to education, community, and the powerful interplay of music and culture.
“When we create programs like this, you're not just thinking about an artist you admire,” said June. “You're thinking about the community. You're thinking about education. You're thinking about spirituality and philosophy. You're thinking about how we grow as humans and how we grow together as a planet. You're bringing together the arts in intellectual ways. That changes people's perspectives on life, which is huge.”
Inspired by passionate artists like Harris and June, our students have gained valuable knowledge and perspective as they prepare to engage the challenges of our times. The Harward Fund is just one of the many programs offered at Gettysburg College that help students broaden their understanding of the world and find ways to strengthen our communities.
“I think it is wonderful that this College prioritizes bringing in notable figures to spread their knowledge and joy of learning to the next generation of scholars and artists that attend these events,” said Green. “Sometimes, seeing someone else's light can truly help people persevere, and having opportunities like this can be very transformative!”
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By Corey Jewart
Photos by Sofia Gutierrez ’26
Posted: 04/15/25