By Laken Franchetti, Editor-in-Chief
On Thursday, the Class of 2027 conducted their first-year walk. The route was adjusted from last year’s, and the students walked from the college campus down Baltimore Street and through the Gettysburg National Cemetery to reach a grassy portion of the battlefield.
Before leaving the Chapel, students heard from Vice President for College Life Anne Ehrlich and President Bob Iuliano. Both highlighted the importance and significance of the first-year walk, which follows the path that students had taken to hear President Abraham Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address. Students were then released from the Chapel and began their journey.
President Bob Iuliano speaks to first-year students in the Chapel. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
Elizabeth Houston ’27 expressed excitement at being able to take part in the historic tradition.
“I’m so excited to see all of the town and all of the freshmen together having fun,” Houston said.
Orientation Leader Michael Woods ’25 shared his thoughts on working with the first-year class and their chance to take part in the first-year walk tradition.
“Working with the new students has been an amazing experience. Their excitement and energy have shown through in each activity,” Woods said. “Their enthusiasm for learning about campus has made all members of the Gettysburg community proud. Additionally, the impressive and welcoming school spirit displayed by members of the local community makes the First-Year Walk incredibly memorable and exciting.”
Current Gettysburg students, business owners and other community members lined the streets of Gettysburg as the Class of 2027 walked through the town. After traveling through the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the class stopped outside on the battlefield to hear speeches and a recitation of the Gettysburg Address.
Current students cheer on the Class of 2027. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
Antoinette Chango ’24 addressed the class and introduced Adela Holahan ’24 to sing the national anthem. Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing then detailed the history of Gettysburg and highlighted the high level of education students receive at Gettysburg College. She presented a key to the borough to Jack Thompson ’27 for the Class of 2027.
“This key is given as a symbol of Gettysburg’s welcome and wishes that your class will have a very enjoyable and successful stay in life in Gettysburg. Class of 2027, study hard, have fun, not too much fun, and keep in mind your college’s motto: do great work,” Frealing said.
Iuliano thanked the National Park Service for their allowance of the first-year walk and then welcomed Political Science Assistant Professor Lindsay Reid to come forward.
The Class of 2027 walks through town for the First-Year Walk. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
Reid detailed her own experience on the first-year walk sixteen years ago when she attended Gettysburg College. She highlighted how her experiences at Gettysburg allowed her to accomplish more than she thought possible.
“Never sell yourself short,” Reid said. “All of your accomplishments happen in the midst of this space, a space of rebirth and recovery, a place where people have been redefining themselves, their community and their nation for centuries. On your toughest days, let this place and what happened here inspire you and remind you that you too can move forward.”
Reid recited the Gettysburg Address and then encouraged students to look around them.
“What do you see? We see friends, classmates, professors, mentors, we see a community that has recovered from the unthinkable, and we see, far in the distance, a college that has laid the groundwork for the not-yet imagined. I am so thrilled to be a part of this journey with you in this incredible place,” Reid said.
To close out the ceremony, Taps was played, and students began the walk back through the Gettysburg National Cemetery towards campus.
