Virtual Showcase Recognizes 80+ Students who Completed Garthwait Leadership Certificate
Glatfelter – Campus Photo
By Katie Oglesby, News Editor
On Wednesday, April 21, the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) virtually held their annual Leadership Certificate Showcase to recognize the more than 80 students who completed the year-long, co-curricular leadership certificate program. Executive Director Andrew Hughes introduced the event.
Leadership Mentor Ingrid Bayer ‘22 led into the panel discussion between Leadership Mentors Sarah Feldman ‘22 and Andrew Adam ‘22 and the three leadership certificate participants Jess Roshon ‘23, Carly Jensen ‘24, and Lucy Bourdeau ‘24.
The three participants spoke of their final projects for the program. Roshon discussed her Creative Expression Project about the strengths and weaknesses of various superheroes. Jensen spoke about the elevator pitch, resume, and personal recommendation letter she developed through her Preparing for Leadership Project. Lastly, Bordeau discussed the project she designed around eating disorder awareness and education.
After the panel discussion, alumna Rachel Fry ‘15 discussed to the audience what the leadership certificate taught her and the influence it has had on her life. She expressed her gratefulness for how the program taught her to have goals, to notice her own “blind-spots,” and to self-reflect.
The event then turned toward the leadership coaches, awarding Marcela Manzo Vessi of the Center for Career Engagement the Coach of the Year Award.
Feldman said, “This Coach of the Year deserves it. She’s an integral part of the Gettysburg community. She works so hard in everything that she does and I’m lucky to look up to her as a mentor.”
The event ended with Project Leaders Ali Nettles ‘21 and Garrett Glaesar ‘21 announcing the completion of the leadership certificate to the participants. Glaesar referred to this as the most “content intensive” certificate in recent GLC history.
Feldman and Andrew ended the event with the question of “what’s next?” imploring the participants to take their newfound leadership skills to other extracurriculars at Gettysburg College from the Center for Public Service to the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life.
“You are now the leaders that run the campus,” said Feldman. “It could just stop at Gettysburg, but it’s not going to because you’re going to have these skills for life.”
