Posted By Vincent DiFonzo on Dec 29, 2024 | 2 comments

Compiled by Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief

Photos by William Oehler, Grace Jurchak, Sofia Gutierrez, Vincent DiFonzo and Gettysburg College

January

The Service of Remembrance for Sara Gifford in Christ Chapel, Jan. 25, 2024. (Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)

Community members gathered to remember the late Sara Gifford, former Assistant Director of International Student Services, on Jan. 25 in Christ Chapel. Gifford was killed on Dec. 22 of the previous year in a car accident on U.S. Route 15. In addition to her work at Gettysburg College, Gifford was completing her Ph.D in English literature from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During the memorial, Director of International Student Services Brad Lancaster remarked that “[Gettysburg students] were like her family.”

February

“Brother Ray” holding up a Bible while a student reads a Dr. Seuss book, February 27, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

On a cold February day, a man who calls himself “Brother Ray” began preaching on Stine Lake, Bible in hand. Campus Safety officers asked for the man’s ID before asking him to leave College property. Brother Ray moved to public property — the corner of West Lincoln and College Aves in front of Servo — and continued preaching, calling on students to “repent for your sins” and speaking negatively about LGBTQ+ people. Students soon began a counter-demonstration. A group of students brought saxophones and began playing loudly, drowning out Brother Ray’s words with music, while another student began reading a Dr. Seuss book. Eventually, Brother Ray left and the crowd dispersed. 

March

Famed blues musician Corey Harris performing in the Majestic Theater, March 28, 2024. (Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)

Famed blues and reggae musician Corey Harris visited Gettysburg to headline the College’s first annual public concert part of the new Ann McIlhenny Harward Program for Culture and Music. Taking to the stage at Majestic Theater, Harris performed his solo set entitled “Corey Harris: Blues and the Black Radical Tradition” with his acoustic guitar. The show, funded through the $1.5 million endowed fund established by Don Harward and the Endeavor Foundation, was founded in memory of Harward’s late wife, Ann. A native of Gettysburg, Ann Harward was a musician “who understood music’s transformative power.”

April

President Bob Iuliano talks to Garthwait Leadership Center student staff during Get Acquainted Day, April 13, 2024. (Sofia Gutierrez/The Gettysburgian)

President Bob Iuliano talks to Garthwait Leadership Center student employees during the Get Acquainted Day clubs and services expo on April 13. Members of class of 2028 spent Get Acquainted Day exploring campus and learning about the College’s academic and co-curricular offerings. Every year, Get Acquainted Day allows future students to learn about the College and make connections on campus months before first-year orientation in August. 

Students participating in the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event, April 18, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Students walking during the annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event on April 18. Organized every year by OSAGL and the Title IX Office, members of fraternities and sports teams put on bright red high heels and “walk a mile in her shoes” to raise awareness against sexual assault and for the Adams County Empowerment Center, an local organization which assists sexual assault victims access resources such as counseling and legal assistance. 

Members of the hip-hop dance student club BOMB Squad performing during the Culture Shock Gala & Fashion Show, April 20, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

The Bomb Squad, a student hip-hop dance group, performed during the first Culture Shock Gala & Fashion Show, hosted by the Gettysburg African Student Association and Fashion Initiative Club on April 20. Students gathered in the ballroom in black formal attire for the evening fashion show, which also included music, food and dance performances. 

Members of the traditionalist Catholic organization “American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property” holding an anti-abortion demonstration outside Servo, April 22, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Banners, drums and bagpipes in hand, members of the “American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property” held an anti-abortion demonstration outside Servo on April 22. The TFP is a traditionalist Catholic organization which frequently holds demonstrations on college campuses, including previously at Gettysburg College. Some students engaged in conversation with the TFP members.  

May

Adela Holahan ’24 sings the National Anthem during the class of 2024 graduation ceremony, May 18, 2024. (Photo courtesy Gettysburg College)

554 members of the class of 2024 processed through Pennsylvania Hall and became the College’s latest graduates during the 189th Commencement Ceremony, held on May 18. Despite morning rain, the ceremony was held on the north lawn of Pennsylvania Hall as planned. Adela Holahan ’24 led the singing of the National Anthem and Regan Rightmire ’24 was chosen as the senior class speaker. Debra Martin Chase, two-time Tony Award-winning producer, was chosen as the commencement speaker. 

August

President Bob Iuliano speaking to first-year students during the class of 2028 Opening Convocation ceremony, August 21, 2024. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)

On Aug. 21, members of the class of 2028 were welcomed to campus at the 193rd Opening Convocation. After moving into the first-year dorms that morning, the class of 2028 gathered as a class for the first time on the north lawn of Pennsylvania Hall. After the ceremony, the class processed through the building to the south lawn — a tradition which is reversed at graduation. 

September

CWI assistant director Ashley Luskey speaking at Peter Carmichael’s Celebration of Life at Majestic Theater, Sept. 20, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Civil War Institute assistant director Ashley Luskey speaking on the life and legacy of the late Peter Carmichael, former CWI director and history professor who died in July. Community members gathered for a celebration of life at the Majestic Theater on Sept. 20. History professors Jill Titus, Michael Birkner, Scott Hancock, Jim Downs and William Bowman reflected their colleague’s legacy in civil war scholarship and at Gettysburg College, while his former students Cameron Sauers ’21, Kyle Campanile ’13, Emily Jumba ’24 and Benjamin Roy ’21 reflected on Carmichael’s deep personal impact on their lives. While speaking, Luskey stated, “Pete’s passion for life was infectious. He was simply larger-than-life, impossible to sum up in just a few words. He was a bold visionary with a brilliant mind who filled our office and our lives daily with an unmatched positive energy, and with the most wonderfully profane sense of humor that could make one laugh in the most absurd and most trying of situations.” When Carmichael died in July, some students took to social media to reflect on his legacy. 

A fan cheers during the Homecoming Weekend football game, Sept. 21, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

A fan cheers during the Homecoming Weekend football game, held at Musselman Stadium on Sept. 21. After a tough fight, the Bullets were defeated by Christopher Newport 37-54. During Homecoming Weekend, the marching band celebrated its 115th anniversary by inviting marching band alumni to play alongside current students during the football game. 

October

The Bullets defeated Christopher Newport in the College’s first under-the-lights football game, Oct. 4, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

The Bullets faced off against McDaniel College during the College’s first nighttime football game on Oct. 4. The new stadium lights, funded mainly through alumni donations, lit up the field for the Friday night game. Before the game, students and community members gathered at a tailgate with food, games and a performance by the marching band. Ultimately, the Bullets earned a win over McDaniel with a score of 27-20. 

Hillel holding a vigil remembering victims of the October 7th attack by Hamas militants, Oct. 7, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Community members gathered for a vigil remembering victims of the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas militants, Oct. 7, 2024. The memorial, organized by Hillel, consisted of various prayers and a reading of the names of those who died. It was primarily focused on how the Jewish communities memorialize those who have been lost, and how future violence like this can be prevented. 

The cast of Animal Farm gathers for a photo. The theater arts department held their production of Animal Farm over Parent’s Weekend, closing on Oct. 27, 2024. (Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)

The theater arts department held a production of “Animal Farm” over Parent’s Weekend. This stage adaptation of George Orwell’s famous satirical novel was directed Directed by Trazana Beverley. The production follows the story of “Manor Farm,” run by Mr. Jones (Brant Miller ’27) until the animals of the farm revolt to take over for themselves. Ren Mirenda ’26 narrates the progression of the animals navigating their newly found sovereignty as Napoleon (Hayden Johnston ’25) and Squealer (Paige Drummond ’28) end up running Snowball (Md Rubaitul Ahsan Rhythm ’28), the radical progressive of the animals, off the farm with trained dogs. Other actors who contributed to the production of this show include Max Kuhn ’25, Andrew Wilson ’28, Jamilynne McCabe ’25, Addison Journey ’28, Hudson Podielsky ’28, Katie Poliero ’25, Stephanie Sol ’27, Nina Sgro ’25, Grace Aulicino ’28, Ellie Mandelberg ’27, Skylar Scott ’28, Kazmira Maney ’28 and Paz Tamayo ’28.

November

Students watching the 2024 Presidential Election results in CUB Junction, Nov. 5, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Students watched election results rolling in during the election night watch party held in the CUB Junction, Nov. 5. For on-campus voters, voting took place in the CUB Ballroom, where the line reportedly reached as long as two hours in the afternoon. 

Students began waiting in line for Servo Thanksgiving, held on Nov. 12, 2024, as early as 24 hours before the dinner began. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Students waiting in line for a Servo Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 12. Every fall, the Gettysburg College community celebrates the holiday season with its own Thanksgiving dinner. Faculty and administrators from across campus teamed up with Dining Services to continue the College tradition of serving Thanksgiving dinner to students. Some students began lining up outside Servo as early as the afternoon of Nov. 11 — nearly 24 hours before the dinner began.

Students took to the CUB Ballroom stage with flags from all over the world during Burgburst, Nov. 23, 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)

Students gathered to celebrate Burgburst, an annual celebration of world cultures at Gettysburg College, on Nov. 23. At the conclusion of the event’s “flag walk,” students gathered on stage with national flags from dozens of countries. During Burgburst, students are encouraged to sample various foods from around the world and celebrate cultural diversity at Gettysburg and globally. 

December

Economics professor Gokcer Ozgur speaking during the mid-year graduation ceremony, Dec. 11, 2024. (Photo by Abbey Frisco/Gettysburg College)

45 students were recognized at the mid-year graduation ceremony on Dec. 11. Economic professor Gokcer Ozgur was the featured faculty speaker, while Marissa Duggan ’25, one of the mid-year graduates, led the singing of the alma mater. During the graduation, President Bob Iuliano remarked: “Graduates, this is your time. Take all that you’ve learned here and go forth and ‘Do Great Work’ out in the world.”