From Our Advisor: To The Class of 2020
Dr. Scott Boddery
By Professor Scott Boddery, Advisor to the Gettysburgian
On Wednesday, just around the corner from campus, I sat on my front porch reflecting on the events of this academic year and considered the road ahead. I began to notice car after car—all of them nearly packed to the roof—heading out of town, and with each car that passed I became more dispirited. My mind kept wandering to the seniors who are leaving campus for potentially one of their last times, unable to realize important events and traditions that ought to punctuate one’s time at Gettysburg College.
To the class of 2020, I’m so sorry your last semester on campus has been cut short. The emotions you’re experiencing must be unimaginably difficult to navigate. At the risk of speaking for my faculty colleagues, let me just say that we feel for you, we’re here for you, and we’ll do everything in our power to ensure your last few weeks don’t overshadow the previous seven semesters.
During my relatively brief time here at Gettysburg, I’ve been struck by the sense of community within the college. Of course, you don’t need me to tell you how special Gettysburg College is. After all, most of you have been here longer than me, but—notably—you all have been with me for every moment since I stepped foot on campus. Since that time, I’ve witnessed Gettysburgians from different walks of life, political persuasions, and cultural backgrounds achieve extraordinary accomplishments. I’ve seen Gettysburgians overcome adversity while growing to become exceptionally talented artists, orators, humanists, scientists, and everything in between. Being a member of this community and observing your development has continually reminded me that I made the right choice to join the faculty at Gettysburg College.
With such an uncertain future ahead of us, the one thing that brightens my day is the thought of your class’s commencement. I can’t wait to see you all walk through Penn Hall, cross the stage, and to receive your hard-earned recognition. Although its exact date may be uncertain given our current reality, I imagine that your commencement will be uniquely and deservedly cathartic. I can’t wait. What a celebration it will be.
