Yesterday was Founders Day at Gettysburg College—the 181st anniversary of our College’s establishment, originally as Pennsylvania College. To celebrate, a group of students and campus community members participated in our first annual “Journey to Remember,” a student-coordinated walk to Gettysburg’s Peace Light.
As we stood at the foot of a monument built to remind us of our commitment to peace, unity, and democracy, we paused to remember our founder, Samuel Simon Schmucker, and the generations of Gettysburgians who have worked to assure that Gettysburg College remains strong. We also reflected upon the privilege of education, the opportunities it affords us, and the responsibilities that come with it.
Looking out into a crowd of students who had dedicated their Sunday evening to celebrating our College’s founding, I was inspired by the potential that they hold for our future. I reminded them that they, too, could make an impact in our campus community and beyond.
As Gettysburgians—as students and alumni, as community members and professionals, and as global citizens—we are charged to serve the greater good, to work towards justice, collaboration, and peace, and to do truly great work.
This Founders Day and every Founders Day, let us remember that charge and carry it forward.
