The Gettysburgian - September 2022

The Gettysburgian

“What Do You Want the College to Prioritize in the Year Ahead?”

Hear what members of the campus community have to say

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

On Change and Moving Forward

BY ALLI DAYTON, MANAGING EDITOR

My journey with The Gettysburgian began as I logged into Zoom for my first weekly news staff meeting in Fall 2020. I remember emailing the editor-in-chief of The Gettysburgian asking to write, eager to find an extracurricular during a time when most clubs and activities did not meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through my laptop screen each week, I discovered an increasing passion for writing and a new Gettysburg family. At the end of my first year, I applied for an editorial board role, and my love for The Gettysburgian continued to grow.

When I experienced my first in-person Gettysburgian meeting in Fall 2021, I did so as the News Editor. I assigned content to a dedicated group of first-year students who exhibited the same budding excitement for journalism that I had. As I mentored my staff, I watched their writing flourish and I saw several of them take on editorial board roles for themselves this year. The Gettysburgian provided me with leadership opportunities, friendship, and personal growth at a time when I needed those things most. Throughout my college experience, this organization has served as a constant influence in a series of changes over the past two years, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

In this magazine, we try to capture how our campus has changed since the return to normalcy over the past year. Gettysburg College is evolving, and we want to understand how that change impacted students. We know that for many students this transition did not occur easily, and we hope to represent those feelings here.

Throughout this issue, we examine transitions that have occurred within on-campus offices like the Office of Residential Education, the Sunderman Conservatory, and the Office of Athletic Communications, and how those changes have affected the student experience. We also look at the new conduct system, and the upcoming play, and we introduce you to new faculty members within our college community that have already begun making an impact.

As you read through this magazine, consider your expectations for your Gettysburg College experience, and what additional changes you would like to see. For those of you who are seniors, what do you remember about the campus prior to the pandemic that you want to see again? For first-years, sophomores, and juniors who did not know the campus before the pandemic, what do you think is missing from your college journey so far? Think about what you can do to influence your campus community and make it a place you are happy to call home.

Alli Dayton, Managing & News Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Changes to the Point System

The Gettysburgian sat down with Elizabeth Farner to discuss changes to the conduct policy.

10 Postcards From Abroad

Laken Franchetti ’24 and Jules Blech ’24 share their experiences abroad.

16 A New Era for Music

A new era begins as Sunderman Conservatory welcomes new faculty.

6 ResEd Changes

Learn more about changes to Residential Education on campus.

12 Gettysburg College Welcomes Bright as its New Chaplain

Read about Bright’ s vision for The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

18

Change in Leadership

Meet the new staff at Athletic Communications.

8 Student Opinions on Abortion

John Riccardi ’24 and Nathan Keely ’24 share their opinions on one of the country’s most salient political debates.

14 Visions for the Future

Members of the campus community share their opinions on what the college should prioritize in the year ahead.

21 Chief Diversity Officer

Dr. Gordon-Moira discusses her new role as Chief Diversity Officer and what she plans to bring to the college.

(Photo Aly Leia Wein/The Gettysburgian)

Gettysburg College Abandons Point System for Drug and Alcohol Violations in Favor of More Comprehensive “Community Standards”

By Katie Oglesby, Editor-in-Chief

At the beginning of the semester, Residential Education (ResEd) emailed students about move-in and noted that the conduct policy, which formerly included a point-based system for alcohol and drug violations, has changed significantly since the spring 2022 semester.

Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Elizabeth Farner said there was a shift away from the code of conduct language to calling it “community standards.”

She said this language shift pertains to the expectations the College has for students and students have for themselves and others as a community.

The policy document has been rewritten, broadening and renaming certain policies.

Instead of the point system, there are now “low-level,” “mid-level,” and “high-level” violations that are more comprehensive than the point system was before.

“ The point system was created to create some transparency with students about alcohol and drug violations. And so the point system was just specific to alcohol and drug violations,” Farner said. “...In the new code, we had the opportunity to take every single violation that exists, and so we had the chance to take what is considered ‘low-level,’ so something like if you have a guest and the guest doesn’t follow the community standards…and we would have a conversation probably in an informal

way, about what happened.”

She continued to explain that if levelone violations are repeated, students would move to level-two violations, which are violations that are more severe or have a larger impact on the community. Consequences for these could include probation, fines, or loss of privileges.

High-level violations would be actions such as physical assault or selling drugs on campus. Consequences would likely include suspension or expulsion.

Farner explained that the point system had been around for 16 or 17 years.

“At the time the point system was developed, a number of colleges and universities were all using point systems,” she said. “And when Dean Ehrlich came, we started having some conversations about best practices, what’s regarded in the field as the most educational…and ultimately what we want is education and changing behavior.”

In spring 2022, conversations began within the Student Life Committee about changing the policies. This committee included Vice President of College Life and Dean of Students Anne Ehrlich, Associate Vice President of College Life Jeff Foster, Vice Provost and Dean of Arts and Humanities Jack Ryan, faculty representatives, and students.

This summer, members of Student Senate met each week with Farner

to discuss the policies and provide feedback.

Student Senate President Miranda Zamora ’23 enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in the process to change the conduct policy. Students had come to her with concerns about it, and it was something she said she had hoped to work on during her time as president.

“ I think it is a big adjustment, but one that was needed,” Zamora said. “[The new policy] takes a more educational approach with a goal of providing opportunities to students for learning rather than punishing students and limiting what they can do on campus.”

“ There was definitely a sense of confusion [and] apathy with the points system that Liz had recognized through [the Student Life Committee] and when she met with us over the summer we echoed that,” Student Senate Vice President Geoffrey Meadville ’25 said. “Points were not a tangible punishment.”

Farner said that the policy change was also meant to represent the most upto-date policy in the field.

“ The change has really been around trying to respond in a way that maximizes the student’s learning and development through the process,” she said.

With the change in this policy came the removal of the Student Conduct Review Board, as well.

Farner explained that the decision to remove the Student Conduct Review Board came from the understanding that students who experience harassment or bias did not want to discuss their experience with people they did not know nor did they want to be in the same room as the person who had harmed them.

“ They have experienced a level of trauma associated with that,” Farner said. “Going back to ‘best practices,’ is there a better way for us to treat students and… honor their experience and not have them have to go through this where they’re telling all these people they’ve never met before intimate details about themselves?”

Meadville and Zamora expressed positive sentiments toward the new community standards, and

the shift away from the point system.

“ I feel a lot better about this policy, obviously I wish there was more progress made, but with the summer we really took great strides to setting the new system up. It’s something I feel like I can point to and say we have an almost perfect system in place,” Meadville said. “There’s still a lot to see about how it works off paper and if there’s areas of improvement but I’m happy with the place we are at for this year.”

As for the progress he wishes could still be made, Meadville pointed toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“ The policy is fine as it is but I think there are areas it glosses over specifically we didn’t spend much time addressing bias incidents and hate crimes, obviously this area falls more into Dean Christina and DEI’s wheelhouse but I still feel that we can

hold students accountable more than the school is willing to,” he said.

Since students have been on campus for around a month, Brandon Caban ’23, a Residence Coordinator noted that he has seen changes in how first-year students react to conduct expectations in the first few weeks.

“Because the code of conduct is so poorly defined, I feel like especially in the first few weeks that residents were more willing to go out to fraternity parties…or drink in their dorms because the violations weren’t laid out in a way that was easy…for them to understand what the repercussions for their actions were,” Caban said.

Caban explained, though, that he appreciates that the new community standards allow for more learning from mistakes.

“I do feel like the point system is more easily digestible, to both us as ResEd members, and to the residents. But I like that this builds the way for more of a discussion with the students and the staff members,” Caban said. “Because if someone gets caught drinking, that’s like already [two] points out of the ten point system. And…it gives them very little way to rebuild themselves after a violation. But this system gives them at least once or twice…[and] gives students a way to respond back and to really have a discussion and change the future behaviors.”

Zamora explained that she was grateful that the student body was involved in the policy changes discussion.

Zamora said, “Most importantly to me was how students would be involved in not only the discussion of the changes in policy, but how we can continue a discussion with students as we continue to see how the changes affect the student body.”

Farner echoed this sentiment. She said that if any students are confused about the policies or would like to discuss them further with her, they are more than welcome to reach out.

(Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

The Rebranding of Residential Education: Names, Faces, and Responsibilities

By Gracie Meisner, Assistant News Editor

As Gettysburg College welcomed students back to campus, many noticed changes in the signature policies, offices, and organizations that make up the college. The Office of Residential Education (ResEd) is not exempt: the office bears a new name, houses new responsibilities and initiatives, and has welcomed two new staff members to its team.

Previously named the Office of Residential and First Year Programs, ResEd has undergone a sense of rebranding; while its core purposes and responsibilities remain the same, the office has adopted new wellness programming initiatives and no longer contains orientation and extended orientation.

Assistant Director Brooke Gutschick ’17 explained that first-year orientation responsibility was moved to the newlycreated Office of Student Success.

“We used to have ‘first-year programs’ in our title, which meant that we oversaw both orientation and extended orientation, but with the creation of the Center for Student Success, the college saw a need to house the student support programs, such as orientation, and academic support under one office,” said Gutschick. “Not having the first-year programs has allowed us to focus even more on the residential experience but more importantly the education that comes with living on a college campus.”

Gutschick explains that, without firstyear orientation, staff will additionally have more time to focus on the college house program, which provides safe spaces for students of common interests.

“Our college house program has 17 houses that provide not only living spaces, but programming and community spaces for some of our marginalized students, as well as a place for people to hang out if they have a common interest. We are going to continue to elevate that program because we have more time to focus on it than in the past,” said Gutschick.

are encouraged to interact with what they are interested in instead of feeling like they have to go to activities to check boxes. As a staff, we have been focusing on wellness, an initiative in partnership with other departments, to provide the necessary support for residents,” said Wilt.

Borgquist echoed Wilt’s sentiments.

“The freedom to pick and choose events focuses on the holistic student and living experience, and there’s no more saying ‘you have to go to this event,’ like in years past,” said Borquist.

Along with changes to the name and responsibilities of ResEd, two new faces make up the staff: Residential Life Coordinator (East Quad) Gray Reid and Residential Life Coordinator (Upperclass) Nicole Bauer ’22.

Delaney Borgquist ’23 and Ethan Wilt ’23 felt that the changes bear a positive impact on their jobs as Residence Coordinators as well as on their first-year residents. Unlike previous years, students do not have to attend a plethora of events to build extended orientation credits. While students still must attend community meetings and participate in a G-Chat each semester to fulfill the First Year Residential Experience (FYRE), they have more freedom in exploring programming than in years past, and events are centered around wellness and well-being.

“With less required extended orientation events, first-year students are now more in control with what they want their experience to be. They

Reid explained that they served as a Resident Assistant in their undergraduate education and loved experiencing the job, getting to know people, and being able to serve as a resource, which ultimately led them to seek out a job that would provide opportunity for similar work.

“I want to continue that work, but in a multifaceted aspect,” said Reid. “I saw lots of areas in residential education where diversity was not the most prevalent or was often overlooked, and as somebody who has several marginalized identities, it felt very important to me that this come more into the forefront and we have conversations about how to address it. I knew one of the best ways to address it was to be the person who could –before the students come to us with problems – say, let’s start addressing

(Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

“ Not having the firstyear programs has allowed us to focus even more on the residential experience but more importantly the education that comes with living on a college campus.”

- Brooke Gutschick ‘17

it. So I applied to Gettysburg, and that’s how I ended up here,” said Reid.

Reid notes that, even in the short time they’ve held their position, they have already had the opportunity to help make a difference for students.

do what we are best at and why we came into the residential sphere. And I think it certainly allows us to do more creative programming and more intentional programming. We’re really here to focus on that educational aspect – how you learn to live and thrive in a different setting and with other people and be an adult,” said Reid.

wellness. We’re really excited about the changes, and they are a learning curve for everyone, but it has been good so far,” said Bauer.

“I like the job because it provides me an opportunity to get to work with students in their first time in college. They might not have all the skills or the guidance, and I am that person that they can stop in and ask questions,” said Reid.

While Reid joined the ResEd staff at the height of its changes, they see the sense of rebranding as a positive.

“I think it takes the stress off of our student staff members. It allows us to

On the other hand, Bauer found her way to the job after studying at Gettysburg College. Prior to graduating, she worked in the College Life office for four years: as a Resident Assistant for two years and as a Residence Coordinator for one year. Having been involved with ResEd for a number of years, Bauer also sees the changes to the office as positive.

“The changes have allowed our office to focus on other aspects of residential education and how to make the residential experience more of a learning opportunity. We’re trying to partner with different offices and groups around campus to promote

While the new year has brought on many changes, ultimately, Gutschick explained, the core functions and responsibilities of ResEd will remain the same: to support students and make their experience as positive as possible.

“At the end of the day, ResEd is going to be there to support students even outside of their living environment. That is evident through the way that RAs hear concerns about anything under the sun from their residents. We really try to focus on supporting the whole student, not just the fact that they happen to live in our residence halls,” said Gutschick.

“ I saw lots of areas in residential education where diversity was not the most prevalent or was overlooked”often

-Gray Reid

Opinion: Protecting the Most Vulnerable

By John Riccardi

Abortion is the greatest moral issue facing America. No other issue is comparable in terms of lives lost. In 2019 alone, over 800,000 babies were aborted. The Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is responsible for the nation-wide scale of the abortion atrocity. The long-standing authority of the states to protect the lives of the unborn was torn from them by unfounded judicial activism. The Court’s justification of abortion under the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause has no proof in the Constitution or America’s legal tradition. Three quarters of states exercised their legitimate authority to limit abortion at the adoption of the 14th Amendment. Even the viability criteria that the Court enforced has no justification. It is not in the Constitution and the majority decision made no argument to support its implementation. In all, the Roe decision more closely resembles agenda-driven legislation than it does a judicial decision. The consequence has been 63 million lives lost to abortion. Thankfully, the reversal in Dobbs v. Jackson has created an urgent opportunity to protect the lives of the unborn. Now is the best time to be pro-life not only because of legal developments but because of advances in science. Humanity is no longer blind to life in the womb. At the moment of conception, a new set of DNA is formed and sex is determined, creating a unique individual human. Just three weeks after conception the baby has its own heartbeat. By nine weeks, the brain and all other organs are functional, and the baby can move on its own. That is not the mother’s body, that is a new body, and the deliberate destruction of that life is murder, not just a choice. The pro-life movement is firmly grounded in these truths. To be pro-life is to believe that human beings have inherent value - value that does not come from some ability or experience, but by the virtue of being human. It is a simple argument to follow. It is wrong to kill innocent human life. Abortion kills an innocent human life. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong.

Often, the most common arguments for abortion are those which must also support the murder of other innocent groups. Eugenics is the consistent position for those who define life along grounds of the capacity for reason or intelligence. It is no surprise that nearly 100% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted in Iceland. Abortions across the globe are nearly always elective, and many of these abortions are performed simply because the baby has a disability. In some countries, babies are at significantly higher risk of being aborted just because they are a girl.

The group most victimized by abortion is women. Women often think that to have a fulfilling career and life, they need to have an abortion. This view treats women as defective in nature and in need of abortion so they may behave more like men in the workplace and in their families. Abortion can also have severe psychological implications for women, yet our society has created an environment in which motherhood and families are not valued. We need a society that is supportive of women as mothers rather than pushing them into abortions and treating them as failures for valuing their own children.

The Dobbs v. Jackson decision is an enormous victory for the defense of the Constitution and the right to life, but the struggle did not end in the Supreme Court. It is now the responsibility of every moral American to debate, persuade their peers, and create a culture that values life.

John “Rico” Riccardi ’24 is the chairman of Gettysburg’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter. Rico is studying political science with a minor in economics. He enjoys baseball, spending time with his dog, Jack, and participating in the Church.

Opinion: In God They Trust

By Nathan Keely

I’d like to first acknowledge that as a man I have no idea of what it is like to be a woman, nor can I fully understand the societal plight that is put upon them. Though I am pro-choice, I would like to also acknowledge that those who are pro-life should be treated with respect and dignity. Shouting at those who disagree with you will not solve the problem and will only polarize this country even further. This issue is controversial in that there are legitimate moral reasonings from both sides. I ask that you try to understand those who disagree with you.

June 24, 2022 is a date that will never leave the minds of Americans, when the Supreme Court overturned the precedent case that was Roe v. Wade. While conservatives rejoiced, liberals went to the streets to protest. The case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a symptom of what is wrong with our republic and how it can be corrupted by forces that are not meant to be in government. The modern conservative movement stems heavily from Christian values and in turn conservatives use religion to justify their argument. This cannot be tolerated in a functioning and representative democracy with constituents of all creeds. I myself am Catholic but I do not see any justifications to impose my religious beliefs on anyone. Religion is a personal matter that should not have any say in government because laws without separation of church and state are injustices to those who do not practice. I understand the justification to protect life, but what conservatives don’t factor into the debate is quality of life. We live in a wealthy and industrialized country where women have the opportunity to have autonomy over their lives and their careers, but the overturning of Roe v. Wade opened the floodgates for Republican-led state governments to take away that right.

The anger coming from liberals is granted but that anger should not be directed towards conservatives and should be directed in a more constructive way by voting in droves in this year’s midterm elections. It is very apparent that we can no longer rely on the federal government and the only thing stopping Republicans from succeeding is the state governments with either a Democratic governor or a Democratic legislature. This year’s election is extremely significant here in Pennsylvania where the Republicans propped up a con artist from New Jersey and a Gettysburg-local MAGA fanatic, who both pledged to end abortion rights. Christian nationalism is out and proud in today’s political climate and that’s even more apparent with Doug Mastriano on the ticket, who will definitely work to impose his backwards version of Christianity onto Pennsylvania. I don’t wish to belittle conservatives for their views but to implore empathy in them that the policy they support has immense and negative consequences for women, especially for those who don’t have enough money for the financial strains of having a child. We must all consider the celebrated American virtue of individual liberty in the context of the debate and treat others on the opposing side of the aisle with compassion.

Nathan Keely ’24 is a junior political science and German studies double major from Paoli, Pennsylvania. Keely also serves as the Vice President of Alpha Chi Rho.

Postcard from Abroad: The Joys of Adventuring Alone and Understanding Once in a Lifetime Opportunities

By Laken Franchetti

Within the first week of arriving in the United Kingdom, I had experienced one prime minister leaving, the introduction of a new prime minister, Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, and the beginning of King Charles III’s reign. I would call that an eventful week.

I have never been outside of the United States, and now I was being thrown into a new country at a time when its people and government were adjusting to large amounts of change. In this hectic time, I did my best to remain conscious of what I have come here to do.

I did my best to begin planning activities with friends while also allotting time to branch out and adventure alone. A few days ago, for example, I went out with friends in the morning to visit “touristy” London sites: Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. When we came back to the flat, I knew that the remaining time of the day could not be wasted. After some quick research and a shop recommendation, I had created a Harry Potter themed trip that would take me to locations inspired by the series.

While the trip only lasted a few hours and did not include anything extravagant, it filled up the small portion of the day that I had left, and simple adventures like that themed afternoon allow me to further appreciate the city I am in and the potential adventures it holds. When I returned to the flat that afternoon, I felt accomplished and proud of myself for venturing into the city.

Those who know me understand that I am an introverted person, and this left me with a fear that I would miss out on opportunities while studying abroad due to anxiety and stress. However, in the short time that I have been in the UK, I have uncovered a new motto for myself: sometimes you have to seek out opportunity.

This could mean adventuring alone throughout a new city, but that comes with the chance to discover local cafes, visit interesting shops, and check items off a bucket list. I appreciate the opportunity to spend time with others while in London, yet I have grown to admire spending time by myself. I may never be in the UK at a time this historic again, so the time that I do have here is invaluable.

These opportunities to branch out alone have allowed me to do extraordinary things and meet new people. The other night I attended a West End production of Hamilton, and I started a conversation with the girl sitting next to me. I learned that she was Norwegian and on her first trip outside of Norway since COVID began. Over the course of one evening, I had met someone new, seen a spectacular show, and once again felt proud of myself for adventuring outside of the flat.

Studying abroad has been filled with once in a lifetime opportunities, and I still have the remainder of the semester to appreciate what the UK offers and the joy that comes with seeking out opportunities.

Laken Franchetti ‘24 will be the spring News Editor for the Gettysburgian. Laken is an English with a writing concentration and history double major from Mt. Royal, New Jersey. On campus, she is an intern with the Gettysburg Review, the head editor of Her Campus, a contributing editor for the Mercury, and a user services assistant at Musselman Library. Laken is studying abroad in Lancaster, England.

Postcard from Abroad: A Gaijin in Bunkyo, Tokyo

By Jules Blech

Iam a foreigner in Japan, a gaijin, this semester, who speaks no Japanese. When I go to a restaurant, I grab the menu, point to a random item, and say “kore onegaishimasu.” Then, I nod my way through the questions they have for me. I’ve accidentally ordered some really interesting coffees this way. My main concerns at these restaurants are embarrassing myself, wasting the workers’ time, and/or being culturally insensitive. Sometimes, I get stares, but the workers at these cafes have the most profound patience for me. As someone who feels lost and confused, these moments of kindness and patience improve my day. I want to learn Japanese to show the workers that I respect them as well because I know my furious nodding, smiling, and poorly pronounced “arigato gozaimasu” are not enough to show my appreciation.

I have found that some nights I need to go to an English-speaking, french-fry serving restaurant to keep myself sane. I am more in my comfort zone. I can show the workers that I appreciate them. The main comfort restaurant I frequent is called Pipeline, where you “speak English or die.” You get a discount for speaking English, and they have fries and pizza. The owner seats you, takes your order, cooks your food, and checks you out. He is so excited to learn more English from us. I feel like it is a safe haven in a typically confusing place. I came here to learn about Japan and its culture, but this experience has shown me how much feeling like an outsider can affect you.

I know that in these Japanese local restaurants, I am disturbing the peace of the locals. During my first dinner out, I forgot to take off my shoes before I got on an elevated platform, I was unable to tell the waiter what I wanted to order, and I did not know that I had to press a button to summon the waiter. I ended up sitting at that table embarrassed for way longer than necessary because I did not even know to say “sumimasen” to get his attention. I am trying to learn how to be properly respectful, but often, I unintentionally fail. I am privileged to be able to come to Tokyo and study its culture. A lot of the learning comes from failing and realizing the differences in cultural standards. I like sitting quietly on the train. I love that the restaurants cater to lone customers. There is history at the shrines and temples at every corner. On the other hand, I miss feeling comfortable in a tanktop and jean shorts. I miss being able to strike up a conversation with a cashier and knowing how to answer their basic questions. I miss not having to convert yen to dollars on my phone to understand how expensive something is.

The more time I am here, the easier it is to navigate this amazingly different place. It is impressive how quickly I could adapt, but I understand that I am coming from a place of privilege. In the United States, I do not stick out. People come to the United States because they want to experience what it stands for, but often, they are rejected by a portion of the population. I came to Japan, and while I am able to get around undisturbed for the most part, I find myself getting stares from those who do not love foreigners, mostly older people. I do recognize that this position is still one of privilege, and not all foreigners coming from the United States experience this pleasure of being mostly undisturbed. However, the taste of feeling like an outsider allows me to empathize with those who do not have these same privileges, whether that be in Japan or the United States. I hope to take this experience and apply it and to lend a helping hand when need be.

Jules Blech is a junior political science & economics major from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. On campus, Jules is a Co-President of The Women’s Network. She also works in the Dining & ID Office as an Office Assistant, and she volunteers with Campus Kitchen. This semester, Jules is studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, and spends her time exploring the city.

Radical Hospitality—Bright’s Vision for Religious and Spiritual Life on Campus

By George Malian, Magazine Editor

On March 7, Gettysburg welcomed Michael Bright—known simply as Bright— as the college’s new chaplain.

Like anyone known by only one name, Bright brings a distinct character to his role. Carrying with him a buoyant energy and keen sense of style, he offers a liveliness unfamiliar to the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

A graduate of Lancaster Bible College and Lancaster Theological Seminary, he arrived in Gettysburg after serving as the Residential Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives at Franklin & Marshall College.

According to Bright, serving as a college chaplain “has been a dream come true” and has realized his longtime desire to work “with spiritual religious life, in an education environment, doing spiritual and religious education.”

The son of father who worked as a combat camera man in the U.S. Army and a mother who works in optometry, he was born in Baltimore and spent his childhood in Maryland. From a young age he knew that he was meant to be a preacher.

“I remember being three or four years old on a Sunday in my grandmother’s kitchen and we had gotten home from church. And I remember I couldn’t read yet, but I had a dictionary in my hand and I was pretending to be

a preacher” he said, adding that he knew “it was just something that I was always going to do.”

Growing up as a National Missionary Baptist, Bright attended the First Christian Community Baptist Church of Baltimore and now identifies, spiritually, as a Black American Christian and attends City of Refugee East in Lancaster. Among the photographs of James Baldwin and Toni Morrison hanging in his office is a picture of Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, the presiding bishop of City of Refuge—a member of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries that describes itself as “radically inclusive” after being founded in the outgrowth of the AIDS crisis.

In the spirit of his own religious journey, Bright seeks to make

Gettysburg College a more tolerant place. Among his first priorities as chaplain is deconstructing white religious privilege on campus. After learning more about the College’s own history with religious diversity, he feels that it is important for all students to feel a sense of belonging. Bright observes, how previously, “there was a major Jewish presence on campus and there were Jewish students that felt that they could not be public about their Jewish identity.”

In an atmosphere that has long been dominated by white Christians, he aims to foster the spirituality of students who may have been marginalized in the past. Noting the formation of both

Hillel and the Muslim Student Association, he believes that he was brought here to continue that growth.

“If I’m going to be bold and courageous in feeling free and empowered enough to take this job, I also need to be able to bring a whole self to it so that students who otherwise have never thought about faith, or have never thought about meaning in their life, or have never thought about religion, that have been curious about those things or have been hurt by those things, can see a person like me and know there is room for me in this community,” he said.

For Bright, building an interfaith community is a task he approaches with intense seriousness.

Bright said, “Nobody sniffs out a

fake faster than religious people. So the superficial change, I don’t think in terms of me being a part of it, I can do. I’m not a superficial person. Because of how I do things, we’re gonna do it for real. I believe in a real Jesus. This is not a fake out for me. I’m a real theologian, I really believe in a real creator god who is interested and involved in what goes on here in our world and I’m meaning to give people access to that in a way that they haven’t before.”

Assisting in this vision is Carla Pavlik, the Program Coordinator for the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and International Student Services. Pavlik believes that it is the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life’s job to provide a “welcoming environment for all students, staff, faculty, and administrators from all faiths and for people who don’t identify with any

faith but are looking for spiritual growth and guidance.”

Over the course of this year, the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life plans on holding several retreats and looks forward to taking part in major ceremonies like convocation, commencement, and Spring Honors Day in addition to guiding religious student organizations like Hillel, the Newman Association, and DiscipleMakers. Bright will also be hosting weekly prayer for members of the campus community on Wednesday afternoons in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life’s office on West Stevens Street.

“Our real goals are to practice radical hospitality and create an environment for religious and spiritual solidarity. A lot of times our faith is enhanced by the faith of those around us and that doesn’t necessarily mean they come from the same tradition. But when I make all the room in the world for you to embrace your faith, that means that I also have room to embrace my faith as well. It’s that it’s creating an environment for understanding healthy conversations, friendships, and meaningful connections,” Bright said.

Pavlik remarked that working with Bright has “been really exciting and rewarding,” adding that the two “laugh a lot, which is wonderful to have. To have a supervisor who you can laugh with” and that she thinks they have “very common goals and hopes for the college community.”

When asked why he chose to come to Gettysburg, Bright said, “I really sensed that God was calling me to lead and serve in this community. I think the college itself serves to redefine sort of what this town is good for and has been known for. And I believe that me coming here is a part of that work”

“

I’m not a superficial person. Because of how I do things, we’re gonna do it for real.”

What Do You Want the College to Prioritize in the Year Ahead?

by Mikelyn Britt, Opinions Editor

“

I want the college to prioritize the affordability of class materials. Results of a 2019 campus survey show that the cost of course materials can have detrimental impacts on student success and emotional well-being. Because of the COVID pandemic, issues of academic and financial equity have become more relevant. Professors can help with the financial strain of courses by working to make their classes low-cost or zero-cost. This can be done in many ways, such as using open access materials. While the library works on affordability issues in our classrooms, it can be a student-led initiative. Students that feel passionate about the affordability of course materials can reach out to the library and see how they can get involved.”

“As a freshman at Gettysburg College, I have had a fantastic first few weeks. It is everything that I could have hoped for, from the beautiful campus and town, the quality of the food, the wide variety of clubs, and most importantly, the amazing education that I am receiving from my professors. If I were to focus on one thing that I want Gettysburg to focus on in the future, I would ask the college to stay focused on supplying students with the tools that they need to receive an impactful education. From keeping the library open late to help students who need to study to providing easy access to educational assistance. I would like Gettysburg to stay committed to helping me and my peers get the best education possible during our time here.”

“I want the college to prioritize the safety of students of color on campus. The recent events at D-House have been glossed over by the community. At the time I am writing this, students have only received a brief email regarding the racialized harassment and physical assault of our friends and classmates. There has been no communication from President Iuliano. The Gettysburg Times called the ten-person assault a ‘fight’. I’ve heard my white peers reduce the violence inflicted to ‘harmless’ townie behavior. D-House and its members have received racialized harassment every year I’ve been on campus. Too many students of color have had racist remarks and slurs hurled at them by the greater Gettysburg community. The lack of attention and support is telling us we are unimportant and it needs to change.”

Deirdre Sullivan ’23

Leah Attai ’23

Compiled

Wesley Lill ’26

“

Seeing the college enhance its commitment to ensuring that students can seamlessly fulfill all of their Gettysburg General requirements in conjunction with their major requirements would amount to a significant incentive for more students to travel abroad, further explore student activities on campus, and have greater autonomy in course engagement. From a junior perspective, having the college address its efforts towards simplifying the general Gettysburg [Curriculum] while also partnering with overseas institutions for a more obtainable credit transfer should warrant an academic priority. We live in a ever changing, globalized world and by enabling our students to have broader course latitude, choice and flexibility, we inspire greater academic retention, a well versed student body that majors and minors in multiples heterogeneous disciplines, and enable them to engage with the worlds culture, markets and opportunities in multiple semesters.”

“ I’d like to see Gettysburg College devise actionable plans for three items: ensuring that the new chief diversity officer has independent power to make and implement decisions; make as public as legally possible as much explicit information about all sexual assault cases and all incidents of any kind of bias, from the occurrence to resolution. Greater transparency for the entire process will produce greater security, equity and a more effective learning environment to ensure student success (the new buzzterm), and reduce perceptions, justified or not, that at times the college may be more concerned about image than reality.”

“Gettysburg College prides itself on being a school with fantastic dining services, high end facilities, and top notch on campus health care. But can we really consider our health care “top notch” if it isn’t readily accessible when the students need it most? It’s common knowledge that germs spread quickly on a college campus. We can’t avoid it. With large numbers of students all living together in close quarters it is inevitable that when something starts going around, almost everyone will catch it. Our campus health center needs to be prepared for these large waves of demand from the students, as last year it clearly wasn’t ready. Last spring while an illness was rapidly spreading, large numbers of students were turned away from our health center and put on waiting lists that grew up to two weeks long. These sorts of waiting lists are completely unacceptable, and changes should be made in order to effectively serve our student body.”

(Photos Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian; provided)

Aidan B. Wisniewski-Campo ’24 Chairperson & Assistant Professor of Africana Studies

Scott Hancock

Katherine L. Speltz ’25

“Iwantthecollegetoprioritizethesafetyof studentsofcoloroncampus.”

-Leah Attai ’23

A New Era at Sunderman Conservatory

By Alicia Method, Staff Writer

This fall, the Sunderman Conservatory introduced several new faculty to its community. These new faces include Dr. Kyle Weary, Dr. Larissa Irizarry, Professor Nana Vaughn, and Professor Krista Kriel. The introduction of new staff comes on the heels of several departures the Conservatory experienced last fall. Dr. Marta Robertson and Dr. Paul Austerlitz retired from collegiate education last spring while Drs. Talbot and Cordle have moved on to other positions in Illinois.

Robertson and Austerlitz will be remembered for their exceptional work in the musicology and ethnomusicology fields. Robertson’s classes were known to foster an energetic and creative feel, filled with student-led discussion. Her specific focus on music and dance resulted in “an integrated rhythmic analysis of music and choreography” in Aaron

Copland’s ballet Appalachian Spring. She conducted further work on movement and music in Okinawan diasporic communities and World War II Japanese American incarceration camps.

Like Robertson, Austerlitz was a well-known and revered figure on campus. His background in AfroCaribbean music informed his jazz musicianship, which he used to lead the Jazz Dispatch group on campus. He is the author of two books, Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, and Humanity and Merengue: Dominican Music and Dominican Identity, and performs on the soprano clarinet and tenor saxophone.

Austerlitz had an especially strong relationship with the Africana studies department, an element of the position which the Conservatory was eager to continue as they searched to fill the open spot.

The job description for Visiting Assistant Professor of Music explicitly discussed this element in the position summary: “We seek applicants with expertise in African American Music and/or Music of the Black Diaspora.” The position summary also pointed out that at least two courses would be cross-listed with the Africana Studies program.

This job description was posted publicly, and its genesis involved a great deal of care and meticulous effort. Dr. James Day, the director of Sunderman Conservatory, noted that clarity of requirements is especially important in a job search, as published qualifications place a barrier against any biases which might infiltrate the process.

Scott Hancock, associate professor of History and Africana Studies, was on the search committee for this position,

(Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

alongside Conservatory staff. Day highlighted Hancock’s importance in this role, as it ensured the candidate and position would fulfill the goals of both programs.

The search committee landed on Dr. Larissa Irizarry, who earned her PH.D. in musicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Irizarry specializes in queer theory and the musical film, Black feminist theory, and is currently looking at alter egos through the lens of Black women in the music industry. This semester, Irizarry is teaching courses entitled “Music of the African Diaspora” and “World Music.”

Along with Robertson and Austerlitz, the Conservatory gave a melancholic farewell to Dr. Brent Talbot and Dr. Adam Cordle. Talbot left to pursue a leadership position as Head and Professor of the Department of Music in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Cordle, his spouse, additionally pursued opportunities in this area as well.

Talbot, who became the Coordinator of Music Education in 2010, created an internationally recognized program and founded the gamelan program.

In an email to the Conservatory in March 2022, Day described the music education program as being centered on “social justice, creativity, music making in diverse contexts, and working to address issues of equity.”

Cordle, whose area of focus was viola, impacted students through one-onlessons, chamber coachings, and workshops.

Both Talbot and Cordle were integral parts of the larger Gettysburg community, which they interacted with through performance programs, tutoring, radio shows on WBZT, and even instrument petting zoo projects. The Gettysburg Music Education program has also become known for

its students’ 100% placement rate in jobs or graduate school within the first year of graduating.

When looking for Music Education replacements, the Conservatory was especially interested in candidates who had recent education experience, not just on the collegiate level, but pre-college as well. Day highlighted that this type of experience “brings an immediacy” to the position and the courses it requires.

Joining the Music Education department are Dr. Kyle Weary and Professor Krista Kriel. In accordance with Conservatory goals, Weary has extensive experience teaching at both the college and pre-college levels, which he has been engaged with up until this fall. He was the founder of the Vocal Music program at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and the Director of Choirs and Theatre at Boiling Springs High School and Yellow Breeches Middle School.

Lilly Newton ’23, a Music Education student of Weary stated, “he is very down to earth. He just came out of teaching so he has very relevant ideas that we haven’t heard a lot of.”

Kriel, who has joined as an adjunct assistant professor of Teaching and Learning Strings, has been teaching music for over 25 years, which most recently included the Gettysburg School District. An active member of the community, Kriel plays violin for the Carlisle String Quartet, the Shippensburg University Orchestra, and the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra.

Kriel said, “Gettysburg College students have brought joy to my day. Their enthusiasm is contagious. In each class, students are picking up a stringed instrument, and make music on a new (to them) instrument. I am impressed with the music-making that is already taking place in class.”

The Conservatory has also welcomed Professor Nana Vaughn as an adjunct assistant professor of viola. Before her time at Gettysburg, Vaughn founded Violin2Viola, a series of workshops sponsored by Shar music that assists violinists in learning viola. Vaughn plays with the Baltimore Symphony, Washington National Opera, and National Symphony.

When speaking of his Gettysburg experience thus far, Weary said, “I am thoroughly enjoying my time here at Gettysburg! Everyone at Sunderman Conservatory (from the students to the faculty) has been nothing but welcoming and excited to help me in any way possible in my new adventure here. When I saw the opportunity arise here at Gettysburg, I knew that I had to apply for it! Being a Central PA resident, I am quite familiar with the top-notch music program that Gettysburg has to offer and was excited to be afforded the chance to be on faculty.”

Micah Smith ’25, a student of Professor Vaughn’s, noted her compassionate teaching style. “She seems really understanding,” said Smith, “she has three kids in college, so she knows what we’re going through.”

Elizabeth Li ’25, another viola student, talked about Professor Vaughn’s clear goals. “Each lesson is very structured,” said Li.

While the Conservatory was sad to see beloved faculty members move on, the community is excited to welcome these new, exceptional professors.

“Gettysburg College students have brought joy to my day. Their enthusiasm is contagious”

-Professor Krista Kriel

A Change in Leadership: Two New Staff Members at Athletic Communications

By Jack Herr, Sports Editor

Athletic Communications plays a vital role in the overall health of Gettysburg College athletics. Without the department, the fan experience would be much different; there would be no live streams to allow friends and family of student-athletes to watch from afar, no live game updates on social media, and no post-game recaps summarizing each competition with accurate statistics.

Both the former Director and Assistant Director of Athletic Communications left their positions in the spring semester of 2022, giving the opportunity to current Director Luke Stillson and Assistant Director Olivia Moyer to step in and lead the department. Each entered their position with a passion for the industry, and they are already leaving their mark on Gettysburg Athletic Communications.

Stillson has been in athletic communications for his entire career, spanning back to his days as an undergraduate student. In fact, starting in 2003, he worked for Gettysburg for two years as the primary media contact for eleven varsity teams. Since then, he was at Millersville for one year and McDaniel for the last sixteen years before deciding to return to Gettysburg.

Moyer enters her position with less professional experience relative to Stillson, having just graduated from Elizabethtown College. In her senior year there, she started working for athletic communications in various capacities, and in the spring semester, she began doing more in-depth video work for the department, something both she and Luke look to bring to the

forefront of their efforts at Gettysburg. Both Stillson and Moyer were drawn to Gettysburg by a chance to be a part of the wave of changes occurring in the college’s athletics.

Stillson commented that “it was a return home for [him]. There has certainly been a lot of change here in the last several months, but that has just provided more opportunities for growth and new ideas.”

Moyer echoed her new colleague’s words, saying that she liked the “newness” of the department.

“With Luke, myself, and several new coaches coming on,” she explained, “I saw a unique opportunity to not only learn a new position, but to be a part of shaping it.”

As Moyer referenced, athletic communications is not the only area of Gettysburg sports experiencing

change. Recent head coach retirements have brought in a group of motivated individuals looking to lead their teams to continued success. Charlotte Cunningham was announced this past summer as the next women’s lacrosse head coach following the retirement of Carol Cantele, a thirty year veteran of the position. Another long-term coach, John Campo of the baseball team, also retired after his 36th season as head coach after the spring season of 2022, making way for Cory Beddick to step in at the wheel. This September, Brooke Kalman was named head coach of the softball team, taking over for Annette Hunt-Shepherd, who changed course in her career with a move to become the College’s Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness and the athletic department’s Senior Woman Administrator. Other notable new faces include Peter Toner, entering his second year as head coach of the

(Photos Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

men’s lacrosse team, and Maurice Banks, in his third year as head coach of the football team.

Moyer also said that she brings a “unique perspective” to the position as a recent graduate: “I feel I’m in tune with what the average college experience is like with sports and what different audiences want to see from us.”

Along with the new hires in coaching positions, the leadership of Gettysburg athletics is looking more rejuvenated than ever.

Both Stillson and Moyer bring a potent combination of experience and enthusiasm to the table, and they are already delivering on their promises and making changes in the department’s overall approach to interacting with fans.

Live video streaming has skyrocketed in popularity in the industry in recent years. Allowing fans to watch competitions from anywhere with an internet connection, not just at the stadium, has revolutionized athletic communications, especially on the collegiate level. Improvements in live video technology in the last decade have made live streams more accessible, efficient, and entertaining for spectators.

As Stillson said, “there’s no easier way to reach a wide audience and have them captive (hopefully) for two hours.”

Gettysburg’s Athletic Communications department has maintained a strong live video presence in recent history, but Stillson and Moyer are already working to make live video an even bigger component of their product.

“It is—in a lot of ways—the single most important thing we do,” Stillson offered. Both commented on the new equipment they are implementing, such as cameras and live video software, to make their live streams more engaging. If you tune into a Gettysburg Athletic Communications livestream this year, you can expect video from multiple camera angles to capture every aspect of a game, content featuring student athletes or promoting other programs across campus during play stoppages, and an overall captivating experience that will maintain high rates of viewership.

“I think the wave of video will usher in change,” Moyer said, emphasizing that she and Luke want to create something they are “proud of.”

Beyond the live streams, the team is taking an updated approach to handling social media aspects of their position as well as offering video content on

non-game days, expanding the reach of Gettysburg athletics into more mediums and communities.

Stillson and Moyer said that their passion for athletic communications stems from it being such a rewarding industry. Specifically, Moyer noted that “it really creates a sense of school spirit and pride in both the work that you do and in Gettysburg College’s athletic teams…I think this position and the involvement it has with athletics is really special, and it’s almost impossible not to enjoy.”

A new position, of course, comes with new challenges, challenges that Stillson and Moyer plan to address in stride. They want to be flexible and able to stay at the frontier of the latest trends in athletic communications, most importantly with live video streaming.

These challenges will not prevent them from making an impact on the athletic community at Gettysburg. Moyer said that this new position gives her “a unique opportunity to not only learn a new position, but to be a part of shaping it.”

For athletic communications at Gettysburg, change looks to bring prosperity.

Shakespeare in Love” and Gettysburg Will Be Too

By Kenzie Smith, Staff Writer

The beginning of the fall semester brings a flourish of activities, clubs, and groups, one of these being the Theatre Arts Program. This fall, the program will perform the adapted stage version of “Shakespeare in Love.” Auditions were held on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 with over thirty people auditioning.

The experience of those auditioning ranged from students who had previously participated in high school drama clubs to seniors who have been involved in Gettysburg’s Theatre Arts Program for years. Regardless of the previous training of the auditionees, a place was found for them in “Shakespeare in Love.”

This is one of the larger casts of recent productions put together by the Theatre Arts Department, allowing all who auditioned to be involved in the play through varying roles and positions. There are thirty-one cast members, one main stage manager, and four assistant stage managers. Even more people will be involved through set design, costumes, and other aspects of the play.

Shakespeare in Love has a complex storyline filled with comedy, drama, sword fighting, and romance. The tale follows William Shakespeare, played by Blake Dudley ’23, as he overcomes his writer’s block to pay back his creditors. He finally gets a streak of inspiration from the beautiful Viola, played by Laura Duffy ’23, who has a love for poetry and a

secret desire to be an actor. Viola not only becomes William’s muse as he writes the renowned Romeo and Juliet, but is also able to disguise herself as a man to act in the play. The plot thickens as Viola is revealed to have been promised to a Lord. Viola and William’s romance begins to parallel the play that Shakespeare is writing; the only question left is, will both stories or only one end in tragedy?

“ This show presents so many unique challenges that I’m really excited to tackle. From having to portray both a man and a woman onstage, to memorizing and reciting multiple characters worth of Shakespearean verse, Viola is unlike any role I’ve done before,” said Duffy. “Being in shows at Gettysburg has been integral to my experience here—it’s given me incredible opportunities and lifelong friends.”

Dudley echoed Duffy’s statements.

“ Working with the whole cast and crew has been a blast,” Dudley said. “Learning all of the lines has certainly been a struggle but when you see it on stage you’ll see how great the show is.”

Theatre Arts Professor Christopher Kauffman will be directing “Shakespeare in Love.” He is very excited to be able to embody this play with a “cast [that] is fantastic and talented.” Kauffman talked about the many aspects of the play that will be fun to perform but also the challenges some present.

“ This is a funny play with great love scenes, broad comedy, sword fighting, and even choreography,” Kauffman said, “We will need to strike a balance between comedy and genre.”

Kauffman spoke on the versatility needed for some of the roles. Certain actors will need to dive into their inner poet, while others will need to bring forth their comedic side. All this variety will need to be achieved while “inhabiting the world of the play,” Kauffman said. On top of these dynamics, choreographer Jeremi Dilworth will add her own vision to the mix.

The play will debut at the Majestic Theater Nov. 10, Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m and then on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.

Editor-in-ChiefKatieOglesbyandSocial MediaManagerLaurenChucontributed toreporting.

“

(Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

The Best of Summer Movies

By Victoria Staub, A&E Editor

Summer hosts the premier of many of the year’s blockbuster films. With school being out of session, theaters see an increase in moviegoers, therefore prompting them to release some of their most anticipated films during this time. Summer 2022 was no exception to this, giving us some of this year’s highlights. Here are a few of those features.

“Nope”

Jordan Peele has become a leading director in the horror genre with “Get Out” and “Us” making waves in the past few years. His newest film, “Nope,” only helps to solidify him as one of modern horror’s best directors. This July release explores the extraterrestrial in a neo-Western setting. Daniel Kaluuya, the lead of “Get Out,” returns for this film, but Keke Palmer truly steals the show. Her character, Emerald or “Em,” is so loveable and incredibly stylish. This film’s teasers have been intentionally vague, shrouding the film’s plot in mystery and, ultimately, enhancing the film-watching experience. Like all of Peele’s films, “Nope” is jam-packed with societal commentary that, unlike his past films, is envisioned as more of a thriller than a horror movie. Despite being one of the less discussed films of this summer, “Nope” viewers certainly left the theaters pondering quite a bit about the flaws of humankind.

“Thor: Love and Thunder”

Unsurprisingly, Marvel released a highly anticipated film this summer. “Thor: Love and Thunder” is technically the fourth Thor movie, but it is the second one directed by Taika Waititi, the first being “Thor: Ragnarok.” These films have provided more of a goofy take on Thor’s character, which has prompted a bit

of backlash from some fans while, at the same time, engaged others. This newest installation into the Marvel Cinematic Universe included the return of Natalie Portman’s character, Jane Foster, and the introduction of a new villain, Gorr, played by Christian Bale. “Thor: Love and Thunder” was heartfelt, rom-com-y, and a bit cheesy, but it was certainly not devoid of action. Gorr is arguably one of the scariest villains to terrorize the MCU, and Bale’s performance truly enhances the film in a holistic sense. As the title suggests, love is very central to the theme of this film, so don’t be surprised when love ultimately saves the day, not just Thor.

“Lightyear”

An additional franchise owned by Disney released a film this summer with Pixar’s “Lightyear.” This film tells the story of Buzz Lightyear, the man embodied by the loveable “Toy Story” toy. While this film was obviously made for children, the nostalgia associated with the origin story of Buzz Lightyear is too tempting to skip out on. Throughout the film, we see a determined Buzz, voiced by Chris Evans, who risks spending time with those he loves to complete a space mission. We are also gifted with a robot-cat companion for Buzz named Sox as well as the identity of his famed enemy, Zurg. This film is incredibly heartwarming, but it has attracted some controversy. “Lightyear” portrays a lesbian main character as well as a kiss shared between her and her partner, of course receiving criticism from more conservative audiences. In fact, this storyline was partially why Tim Allen, the former voice of Buzz, was not cast in this film as he is an outspoken conservative. Overall,

“Lightyear” provides a nostalgic experience for moviegoers who wish to know why Andy idolized Buzz Lightyear as much as he did. It is now available for streaming on Disney+.

“Top Gun: Maverick”

Nostalgia seemed to be a theme for movies this summer as “Top Gun: Maverick” is the sequel to the 1986 film “Top Gun.” Different generations of moviegoers have been able to bask in their nostalgia this summer, but this film was not only popular amongst parents. In “Top Gun: Maverick,” Tom Cruise reprises his role as Maverick, hence the title. Thirty years after his time at TOP GUN, Maverick returns to assist in training a new class of U.S. Navy test pilots. Some characters from the original film show up, as well as a new character, Rooster, who is the son of Maverick’s best friend, Goose, who died in the first film. Rooster, played by Miles Teller, has assisted in bringing in a new generation of “Top Gun” fans while also kick-starting a mustache craze over the summer. This movie is full of action with the actors actually piloting Navy jets during the flying scenes. “Top Gun: Maverick” is the continuation of a classic that will appeal to the whole family, and its excellent reception is telling of just that.

Summer 2022 had far more film releases than those listed above. Some were blockbuster hits. Others were not. Some may receive Oscar buzz in the upcoming months. Others will fall victim to time forgotten. However, the four films discussed above, “Nope,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” “Lightyear,” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” were all notable releases from this summer, and are certainly worth a watch.

Gettysburg College Introduces New Chief Diversity Officer

By Sydney Dyer, Staff Writer

and oppression of marginalized groups. She described how it struck her to see these experiences in America, where devotion to democracy is high but the access to it is quite limited to those in the oppressed groups her work supported. According to her, these moments inspired her to continue her work.

more possibility than others within the challenges [of DEI work], and I feel that Gettysburg, because of its history and its people…there ought to be a constant reevaluation of those understandings,” she said.

After months of searching, Gettysburg College introduced Dr. Eloísa Gordon-Mora to the President’s Council as the new Chief Diversity Officer heading all strategic, policy, and educational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) concerns for the 2023-2022 academic year.

Dr. Gordon-Mora holds a doctorate in Political Science with a concentration on transitions to democracy from the University of Notre Dame. After graduate school she began her career as a professor at Bates College. Desiring to work with a broader community, inside and outside higher education, she started working in administrative, as well as community organizing positions on issues of diversity while in New York City. There she worked at the New School, Marymount Manhattan College, and Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim services nonprofit, serving survivors of all forms of violence.

At Safe Horizon, Gordon-Mora was Vice President of Government Affairs. In her position, she witnessed many different situations of poverty, violence

After Gordon-Mora’s time in New York City, she moved to Puerto Rico for several years, where she worked as Dean of Social Sciences before coming back to the mainland U.S. Upon her arrival, she lived in Nevada and worked as University Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the University of Nevada, Reno for several years before finally finding her way to Gettysburg.

When talking about DEI work, Gordon-Mora addressed that the field is still developing, and that ideas on what diversity is and how it should be instituted are not universally understood.

“ It’s in a moment of transition and redefinition,” Gordon-Mora described her office.

Currently, she is working to evaluate the work done on campus in the past and figure out how to move forward. Gordon-Mora is working to connect with the community—students, faculty and staff alike, and is moving towards more active, frequent and effective communication with these groups.

“ I think there are places that inspire

According to Gordon-Mora, the needs and desires of all groups need to be considered in DEI work, creating an environment of success and comfort for all in the Gettysburg community. She wants to take these ideas and make them into a workable plan for the entire college to follow, creating strong bonds with other offices and groups to accomplish these goals as a whole. As described by her, diversity work is not just the burden of her office or other singular groups alone; it is work we all need to share to make a better community for everyone. Gordon-Mora described her plan to continue to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into the foundation of our community by instilling diversity work in every sector of the institution.

As DEI work becomes more prevalent and continues to develop as a professional field, Eloísa described how there is no room for complacency in higher education. It is instead a time for change and new direction, and while these new directions are still being developed, she is devoted to the strategic work needed to make these aspirations a reality.

“I feel that Gettysburg, because of its history and its people...there ought to be a constant reevaluation of [DEI] understandings.”

(Photo provided)

“Ithinkthecollegeitselfservestoredefinesortofwhatthistownisgoodforandhasbeen knownfor.AndIbelievethatmecominghereisapartofthatwork”-ChaplainBright

(Photos

Borna Ganji/The Gettysburgian)

The Gettysburgian Staff:

Katie Oglesby, Editor-in-Chief

Alli Dayton, Managing & News Editor

George Malian, Magazine Editor

Gracie Meisner, Assistant News Editor

Kyle Hammerness, Features Editor

Victoria Staub, A&E Editor

Mikelyn Britt, Opinions Editor

Jack Herr, Sports Editor

Anna Audia, Lead Copy Editor

Lauren Chu, Social Media Manager

Eric Lippe, Director of Photography

Dr. Scott Boddery, Advisor

CoverPhotobyBornaGanji/TheGettysburgian

StaffPhotobyEricLippe/TheGettysburgian