Setup for the Democracy in Action event in Plank Gym. (Photo Brandon Fey/The Gettysburgian)
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
On Monday, Sept. 15, the Eisenhower Institute hosted its first-ever “Democracy in Action” forum, which offered students the opportunity to engage with local organizations that work to expand democratic participation through grassroots efforts. This was the first event of the 2025 Democracy Week that strives to foster civic engagement on campus. The forum was held in the Plank Gym from 4 to 6 p.m.
Democracy in Action featured over a dozen organizations that tabled at the event.
Student workers tabling at the event.(Photo Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
“We’re here to provide information to Gettysburg College students about how they can get involved locally,” said Brenda Reyes-Lua, a representative from the Migrant Education Program in Pennsylvania. “One of the specific things we do is college prep, and that’s connecting our Gettysburg College students with our local Latinx youth in a mentorship mindset to help navigate education opportunities.”
The forum also included organizations based on campus, like the Center for Public Service (CPS).
“Not only do we [CPS] get to make a very important impact in the community with people who need our assistance, we also educate the students as well as the community about important things like voter registration,” said student representative James Miller ’27.
Students participating at a table for the Democracy in Action event. (Photo Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
Among the students in attendance was Marisa Conners ’26, who commented: “I was excited to attend the Democracy in Action event because I know that local community service organizations support people who need it the most. As social services are becoming less available these days, I’m glad to see everyday people stepping up to fill the gaps.”
The event was co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
