Florida’s Leaders Wrong About Liberal Arts

Once again, a prominent politician from Florida has provided an excellent opportunity to talk about the value of a liberal arts education. In 2011, Florida Gov. Rick Scott commented about not needing any more anthropology majors. Around the same time, Florida State Sen. Don Gaetz referred to psychology and political science majors as “degrees that don’t mean much.” [excerpt

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Thinking Beyond Access

Last spring I announced at a faculty meeting that a major theme for our campus this year would be diversity and inclusion. I’d like to add equity to that framework as well. This year I hope that we can develop a shared understanding of these topics and some goals to which we can aspire as a community. Five years ago Gettysburg College established a set of four strategic directions to guide our planning and decision-making: Engagement, Distinction, Access, and Connection. At that time we described Access as our aspiration to “increase the diversity of the student body and create a campus environment that is accessible and welcoming to a diverse student body.” Now is the time to ask the Gettysburg College community to engage in thinking and discussion about how we might update and expand our approach to this strategic direction. I understand that some members of our community might wonder why this is important. The answer is simple: to be a premier liberal arts college, to deliver a truly excellent educational experience to our students, we must increase our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This focus is essential to preparing our students for professional and civic lives of impact in this rapidly changing, multicultural, globally interconnected world. [excerpt

Wolf, Lawmakers Shouldn\u27t Cut Grants to Private Colleges

Earlier this week, students from private colleges and universities across the Commonwealth gathered in Harrisburg to meet with legislators and make the case for the importance of the state\u27s commitment to higher education. More specifically, for state grant programs that help to make college affordable for low- and moderate-income students and their families. I have a keen interest in making sure that talented students of all income levels have the opportunity to attain a high quality education. [excerpt

President\u27s Message to the Campus Community, August 2010

Over the past year I have been giving a good deal of thought to diversity at Gettysburg College. I have talked with a number of you regarding the Diversity Commission\u27s work and current structure, our institutional goals with regard to diversity, and potential strategies to meet those goals. With this letter I\u27d like to share a few thoughts with you, none of which are brand new, but which I hope give you a sense of how important I think this topic is for Gettysburg College. [excerpt

President\u27s Message on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Last spring I announced that we would take time this year to focus some of our thinking and conversation on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion. There are many reasons for us to direct our efforts to this topic: the changing demographics in our society and the need to provide a welcoming environment to a diverse student body, faculty and staff; our responsibility to prepare students for living in diverse communities and working in diverse workplaces; and our desire to prepare citizens who will be sensitive to social injustices and motivated to right them. In addition, we cannot dismiss recent student survey results that indicate a general disappointment in the opportunities on campus to interact with diverse peers. [excerpt

Lincoln’s Legacy and a New Generation of Leadership

One hundred fifty-three years ago our nation was adrift, embroiled in a civil war and grappling with questions about our future. Many had lost hope. In November of 1863 here at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln called upon our nation to rededicate itself to the unfinished work before us—the work of equality, the fulfillment of our democracy, a new birth of freedom. [excerpt

Authors’ Reception 2019 - Janet Morgan Riggs

One of the things that we celebrate here tonight at this reception is the strong relationship between faculty and students. The mentoring of student research and creative activity is so important here at Gettysburg—and it’s especially gratifying for faculty and students alike when that collaboration results in co-authored publications. But whether or not publication is an outcome, the opportunity for students to work closely with faculty is something that we offer in a way that not many colleges and universities do. So I thank you all for that—for enriching our students’ education in that way. I also want to take a moment to thank the staff of Musselman Library for hosting this reception once again this year. And even more importantly, I want to thank them for all they do to support the academic enterprise here at Gettysburg. They do that in so many ways on a daily basis. [excerpt

Economics of Airlift

The purposes of this paper are to analyze past airlift conditions, show why airlift should be adopted, and to determine an effective airlift policy and method of operation that would provide the United States an economical, flexible, and efficient airlift force, helping to ensure the security of the nation