February 5, 2026
Dear Seniors,
I am delighted to announce that Gettysburg College alumna Kate Anderson ’09 will address the Class of 2026 at our 191st Commencement ceremony on May 16.
Ms. Anderson is an acclaimed songwriter for musical theatre, film, and television. In partnership with her longtime collaborator Elyssa Samsel, Ms. Anderson’s celebrated work includes Apple TV’s “Central Park” and Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” as well as musical adaptations of “The Book Thief,” “Austenland,” and the off-Broadway musical “Between the Lines”—based on the bestselling novel by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer—which garnered Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations.
Most recently, Ms. Anderson co-wrote the 70th anniversary theme for Disneyland, “Celebrate Happy,” performed by the Jonas Brothers. Her work has earned national recognition, including being named a finalist for The Fred Ebb Award in 2015 and The Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre in 2019, further underscoring her growing influence in contemporary musical theatre.
As a Gettysburg student, Ms. Anderson was a member of Chi Omega and deeply involved in the Sunderman Conservatory of Music, performing with Camerata, the Four Scores a cappella group, and the College Choir. Fittingly, her return to her alma mater coincides with the College Choir’s 90th anniversary.
In addition, Ms. Anderson was active on our campus stage, performing in musical productions of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “The Secret Garden,” and “West Side Story.” She graduated cum laude in music and creative writing.
With her selection, Ms. Anderson, who received Gettysburg College’s Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2024, will be our youngest alumni Commencement speaker since Carol Bellamy ’63, former director of the Peace Corps and executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), delivered her address in 1973—a distinction that speaks to both Ms. Anderson’s remarkable achievements and the tremendous impact she’s had in her early career.
Ms. Anderson is an inspiring role model who is leading a truly consequential life. On behalf of our entire Gettysburg College community—and especially all of you, the members of our extraordinary Class of 2026—I am deeply honored to welcome Kate Anderson back to campus for this year’s Commencement ceremony.
Sincerely,
Bob Iuliano
President