GTheettysburgian
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Listeners & Performers: Building
a
Community Through Music and Art
The club's founders share their musical journey through Gettysburg
A Note From the Editor: On Embracing the Unknown
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
I arrived for my first semester here on August 25, 2021. I was absolutely terrified — I’ve always been a quiet, shy person. I’ve never been that person who can easily adapt to a brand new environment. How was I going to find my place at Gettysburg? For a while, it felt like I hadn’t.
No matter where I turned, however, I knew I needed to embrace something new. I first joined the Gettysburgian staff as a sophomore. Admittedly, throughout my first year, I barely even read The Gettysburgian, nor did I understand the importance of college newspapers. But I did not have my place back then, I desperately wanted to find it, and I liked writing, so my thought process was essentially “why not try it out?” Fast forward nearly three years, and it is safe to say I don’t regret walking into that first Gettysburgian meeting.
The past year has been anything but easy. A lot has happened since classes began in August around the world, across the country and here in Gettysburg. We are living through difficult times. I knew this entering the academic year back in August, but admittedly, I did not expect this sheer volume and scope of important stories affecting Gettysburg College. But with each story, we approached with curiosity and a desire to report the truth, even when it led to unexpected places.
Taking and digesting criticism while trying to cover breaking stories and succeeding in my classes, all while making deadlines and ensuring that our work accurately reflects Gettysburg College was admittedly quite an exhausting task at times. And even though this isn’t a paid position, I’d be lying if I said I regretted a single second of time spent on The Gettysburgian.
As I am writing this on April 7, 2025, I have been sitting on the second floor of Musselman Library, struggling to think of some sort of inspirational note or funny tid-bit to share here. Ultimately, what I decided to communicate in this final note is that your time at Gettysburg College is both short and full of unknowns. But each unknown is an opportunity — to find your community, to contribute to something you care about, to embrace the unknown. Without embracing some unknowns and taking some risks, then what’s the point of challenging yourself by attending college in the first place?
I certainly do not believe I made the absolute most of my experience. I, like most, have many regrets, such as opportunities I rejected or was too fearful to take on. But I am satisfied with my time here. I found my passion for journalism, learned from so many incredible people including fellow students, staff and faculty, and ultimately, I am walking out of Gettysburg College as a much more confident person.
In the final magazine issue of this academic year, we cover professor Randy Wilson’s new award-winning book on Yellowstone, detail the history of astronomy at Gettysburg College and highlight some of the best sports moments of the year from Gettysburg’s talented student-athletes.
Every day, I will miss The Gettysburgian, the Gettysburg College community and the people who have made this school what it is.
Vincent DiFonzo Editor-in-Chief The Gettysburgian
(Photo
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
By Nathaniel Swindell, Staff Writer
By Max Ferguson, Staff Writer
By Owen Kutlu, Sports Editor
Listeners & Performers: Building a Community Through Music and Art
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
When Ratul Pradhan ’25 and Jack Joiner ’25 arrived on campus as first-year students in 2021, they immediately noticed the lack of a live music scene in Gettysburg.
After a semester of jamming in Joiner’s dorm room, the two came up with an ambitious idea — starting a community-oriented music club of their own.
Soon after, Listeners and Performers (L&P) was born. After a late-night walk to 7/11, Pradhan and Joiner began discussing the possibility of forming a club for musicians and artists alike.
L&P hosted their first event at Waldo’s & Company in Gettysburg that same semester, allowing talented students to form a community of artists and perform in front of a live audience of students and locals. This first L&P event was so well-attended that Waldo’s went over capacity.
“Waldo’s inspired the philosophy, the founding principles of the club, in terms of creating purpose and community,” said Joiner.
Since the club’s debut in the spring
of 2022, L&P has grown from nothing more than an idea into one of Gettysburg College’s most active and far-reaching student organizations. They successfully got funding to purchase instruments and equipment and worked with the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life (OSAGL) to secure a practice room in Plank Basement.
“We're seeing [students] using the [practice room] more than ever. There's emerging bands coming up, and it's really interesting to think about it, because these people are just
doing what me and Ratul did in our first year dorm room, but in an actual [practice] space, and it's much more encouraging to have a set practice space where you don't feel worried about noise complaints, and you're given access to pretty reliable equipment. It's cool seeing these bands kind of naturally form,” said Joiner.
“The club runs very idiosyncratically, where there is this built-in community with that, but everyone involved with that is part of different communities of their own. Like, we
Ratul Pradhan (left) and Jack Joiner (right) are the founders of Listeners & Performers and members of the band My Favorite Intersection. (Photo by Dana Brunsima)
L&P's semi-regular Open Mic Nights have often led to full-capacity audiences at Waldo's. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
have people who are involved with Art House, we have people who are involved in Farm House. We have people who are involved in fraternities. We have people involved in the conservatory. And it's almost like this one melting pot,” said Pradhan. “It’s a place where you can interact with people you normally would not have.”
Since its founding, L&P has continued its growth with new members joining with each incoming class. Students have formed new bands and expanded where L&P performs, including performances at the Painted Turtle Farm, the Attic and Farm House.
“Seeing [L&P] grow in the last four years has been honestly really rewarding,” said Pradhan.
Joiner commented that his favorite part of being part of L&P has been seeing other students perform: “That's the whole reason I started: to be able to see people I know play music and to have a space to hang out with music and support friends.”
Samantha Stancavage ’27 joined L&P after expressing interest to her first year RA, who, coincidentally, was Pradhan.
“On my very first day at Gettysburg College, during icebreakers with the people on my floor, my RA, Ratul, asked us, ‘What do you want to get involved in on campus?’ I had no idea at the time that Ratul was one of the founders of the club, but I proudly shouted, ‘I want to join [L&P]!’ He laughed and said something like, ‘Well, perfect! That’s my club!’
From that moment on, I dove right in. Attending events, performing and going to meetings
quickly became a weekly routine, and I couldn’t be happier,” she said.
Just a few weeks into her first year, she performed live on campus for the first time at an open mic night. After the set, she recalled how she “immediately felt like I had found a place on campus that felt like home.”
“By the time the next open mic rolled around a few weeks later, I was already helping run the sign-up table,” she said.
Since then, with her acoustic guitar in hand, Stancavage has been a regular performer at L&P events. She shared
that her favorite part of L&P has been meeting and learning from other student-musicians with different styles.
“That’s what makes it so special. Everyone brings their own sound and performs what they love. I’ve learned so much about music just by listening to others share their songs and their stories. More than anything, I’ve made lifelong friends through this club, and that’s the most meaningful part of all,” she said.
Xander Romendio ’27 learned about
Listeners & Performers will often perform at college-sponsored events around campus, such as this performance on Stine Lake photographed below. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
L&P's first-ever public performance at Waldo's & Company on April 2, 2022, photographed by Eric Lippe for The Gettysburgian.
L&P from his childhood friend and now-bandmate, Ben Sarnitsky ’26. “[Sarnitsky] told me about the club during his first year when he’d come back home for breaks. He mentioned all the gigs and bands that he was part of and all the people that were involved, and I just knew it was something that I had to be a part of,” said Romendio. “Hearing this from Ben was honestly a deciding factor on committing to Gettysburg.”
After arriving on campus, Romendio “made it [his] mission” to get involved with L&P. “I quickly met Jack Joiner and Ratul Pradhan and started helping move things for the club, set up performances, and performing at any events I could.”
Romendio met additional students through L&P who ended up forming a band together. He, along with drummer Sarnitsky, bassist Joiner and guitarist Hugo Pochan ’26, founded their band called Horseshoe. Romendio alternates between lead and rhythm guitar, and alternates vocals with Pochan. On April 3, they released “Snackies,” their debut EP, which was recorded in one day at
Madhouse Records in Clifton Heights, Pa. Their EP is available for purchase on Bandcamp.
Romendio gave a shout-out to their song “Drops,” and praised the songwriting of Pochan: “Drops has exactly what the title suggests: some kick-ass drops, and Hugo knocked it out of the park with his songwriting and lyricism.”
“Whether it’s visual artists, other musicians or just music appreciators,
I’m so grateful that LP offers a space for all of these people to engage with each other while supporting and creating each other’s art. [L&P] was the first community I found at the College and I’m beyond appreciative for all the opportunities that have come with the club,” he concluded.
As soon-to-be graduates, Pradhan and Joiner expressed sadness that their time with the club is coming to an end and excitement for the club’s future, praising the club’s newest leadership.
“It's sad to leave. It's like dropping your kid off for kindergarten,” Joiner said. “I'm excited to see how [L&P] grows and changes, and what type of new events they do [in the future].” ∎
On Feb. 11, L&P students performed at the “Jarty,” during which showgoers and band members alike all dressed in their best denim. During this performance, Ryder Hobbs ’25 hung from the ceiling and sang upside down. (Photo Sofia Gutierrez/The Gettysburgian)
Artwork for Horseshoe's debut EP "Snackies," which is available on Bandcamp.
Ratul Pradhan, Jack Joiner, and Nate Kong ’25 performing on Stine Lake. (Photo Eric Lippe/ The Gettysburgian)
Life After Gettysburg: Post-Graduation Plans
Compiled by Gettysburgian Staff
Sophia Marrone ’ 25, Physics Major
"After graduation, I will work with the National Parks Service in Valdes Caldera National Park in New Mexico to develop an astronomy-related ranger program for the summer. I am very excited about this opportunity, and I cannot wait to explore the great outdoors. After this summer, I plan on securing a position at a national lab and eventually going to graduate school for astrophysics. From making my own planetarium show to gaining observatory knowledge through X-SIG, I am incredibly grateful to Gettysburg College for all the opportunities it has given me these past four years. My favorite memories from college include the long walks to Mr. G’s, the late nights hanging out with friends doing homework, and impromptu late-night talks with my roommates. Gettysburg College has given me the best four years of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else." ∎
Amanda Phan ’ 25, Economics & Political Science Double Major
"After graduation, I will be moving down to Washington, D.C. to work as an Advisory Associate at Penta Group, utilizing my background in communications, economics, and political science. Penta is a public affairs and communications firm helping clients navigate the policy and political landscape. I found out about this job through a Gettysburg alumna and am very excited to start my new chapter soon."
Sophia Marrone ’25 in front of the National Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO) in Phoenix. (Photo courtesy of Sophia Marrone)
(Photo courtesy of Amanda Phan)
Prof. Randall Wilson Wins Zalaznick Book Prize for ‘A Place Called Yellowstone’
By Nathaniel Swindell, Staff Writer
Environmental studies professor Randall Wilson recently won the Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize for his book “A Place Called Yellowstone: The Epic History of the World’s First National Park.” The book focuses on the history of Yellowstone National Park, as well as the cultural impact it has had since it was initially established in 1872. The book was praised for its biographical approach to the history of the park, highlighting the figures who contributed to it as well as how it connects to America’s national parks today.
The Barbara and David Zalaznick Award is given out to a nonfiction book about American history that is notable for its academic appeal and literary style.
“I felt very humbled by [winning the award].” said Wilson. “The past recipients of this award are folks that I look up to. They’re major figures in the field of history, especially American history, and also biography. It’s just a wonderful thing, wonderful news to receive. I’m just deeply honored by that.”
The book was created from his first publication, “America's Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond,” where it evolved from a wide array of national parks to Yellowstone in particular. Wilson was inspired to do
so after researching his first book, where he discovered just how prevalent Yellowstone was in the history of America’s national parks system.
“This project on Yellowstone, in particular, really grew out of a book that I did about ten years ago that was all about the public lands system,” said Wilson. “So it wasn’t just national parks, it was national forests, wildlife refuges, the bureau of land management, the whole thing. And so in the process of writing that book I kept running into Yellowstone, basically at every turn. So if you’re trying to understand where national forests came from, it takes you back to Yellowstone.”
One of Wilson’s major ideas
when creating the book was the idea of “place” and the cultural and historical importance of such a location for others like it, which for him was Yellowstone. Hence, the title of his book.
“I’m trained in part as a geographer. My Ph.D. is in geography, one of the concepts that’s central to that is the idea of place,” said Wilson. “So, sense of place, place of identity, how does place matter in American society, or any society? It dawned on me that Yellowstone is a special place in American society, in U.S. history. And it’s analogous to say the National Mall. So the National Mall is a place that’s a touchstone, it’s a place we gather to discuss and
(Photo of Randall Wilson by Lori Stevens)
motivate all the major social and political issues of the day we have done throughout U.S. history. And it seemed to me that perhaps Yellowstone played a similar role with regards to the environment.”
During the writing of “A Place Called Yellowstone,” Wilson took a narrative approach to the history, examining key people involved with the history of Yellowstone and focusing on their stories throughout the past few centuries.
“So the Yellowstone one, there’s a narrative approach, so there’s a narrative history,” said Wilson. “It’s impossible to have a single person. So a lot of histories that are biographies, you can follow the person’s arc of their life story from beginning to end. Since the focus here was on the park and U.S. history, at least since 1872, that’s at least 150 years. Of course the way I wrote it, it’s much more than that. So you can’t focus on one person, but what you can do is use individuals for the focal point of the story. There’s the narrative of their experience in Yellowstone as the entry point, and then you can follow their story and with luck, and this is what I tried to do, is find where their story overlaps with the next character that came along.”
Wilson described “America’s Public Lands,” in comparison to his newest book, as more of an academic textbook, but pointed out that both works are meant to be formal and educational.
“So [both books] are used as and treated as textbooks. I use them in classes, and they’re used in everything such as
of it is celebratory history,” said Wilson. “Some of the things that happened there are negative or perhaps things that we needed to address and still have to address, right? So, that’s a big part of the story, too. It’s not just the sunny side of the street and everything’s ‘yay!’ One of the first indigenous dispossessions from public lands happened up there. The idea that indigenous people shouldn't be here because they’re gonna somehow be problematic when visitors come to the park — that started in the 1870s, and then again in the 1880s, [the government] made efforts to remove people that had been living there for thousands of years.”
Wilson wanted readers to take away an environmental message from his book, giving readers the opportunity to reflect on various environmental issues throughout the national park’s history.
law schools. I’ve had students in my environmental policies class go into law school, and they’re like, ‘Hey, we’re using your book again,’” said Wilson. “It’s in political science departments that have an environmental policy, it’s [used in] in environmental studies like we are and it’s used in history courses as well.”
Wilson also took a moment to elaborate on Yellowstone’s past before becoming a national park, namely the parts that many people would rather not talk about. The treatment of indigenous people is among topics that he does not want people to forget. He expressed that we should remember that Yellowstone, for all its beauty, still has a dark part of its past that shouldn’t be forgotten.
“Some of the important lessons from Yellowstone are that not all
“I think Yellowstone offers an entry point for folks to learn about the evolution of environmental protection in the U.S. in a way that’s user-friendly, so to speak,” said Wilson. “The stories are so amazing, the things that happen there. So it can take something that might otherwise be considered maybe more dry. Why are we managing the environment this way? Why are we valuing nature this way, instead of that way? Well, a lot of that can be explained by just looking at the stories and the things that happened in Yellowstone, and then decisions that were made there that had this rippling effect out across the country. So, I’m hoping they can just incite further interest in environmental issues and environmental concerns.” ∎
Cover of Wilson's prize-winning book published by Counterpoint Press.
Gettysburg Introduces New Communications Studies Program
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
Beginning next semester, Gettysburg College will offer students a new academic program in communication studies.
This program is intended to develop practical career skills in the creation, exchange and interpretation of human communication across multiple mediums such as writing, public speaking, digital content creation and interpersonal communication. It also seeks to create an understanding of the complex factors that impact the transmission of information, including individuals, institutions and social dynamics.
The program was proposed and planned by cinema and media studies professor James Udden and English professor Melissa Forbes. They presented their proposal at the faculty meeting on March 6.
During the meeting, they argued that communications is the tenth most popular major in the United States, and only two of the College’s “like” and “watch” schools, Franklin & Marshall and Dickinson College respectively, do not offer communications or a similar major.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities suggests that there will always be a demand for graduates with written and communication skills, as communication is constantly evolving. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be about 109,500 job openings each year in communications, on average, over the next eight years.
Several students have demonstrated an existing interest in communications curricula. A 47-person poll of interdisciplinary studies majors at the College showed that 37% have chosen to create their own pseudocommunications major from existing courses.
According to the College’s
admissions data from 2021-23, 419 accepted students who chose not to enroll in Gettysburg had expressed interest in communications on their application. “Communications” is not a listed option for the Gettysburg Common Application, and these students denoted their specific interest in the “other” category. Of these students, 76.5% have attended an alternative institution with a communications major or similar program.
The program was approved by a faculty vote on March 22, passing by a wide margin of 91-14. Students may declare the new major or minor as soon as the upcoming fall semester.
“In an increasingly interconnected world and workforce, effective communication is paramount,” Provost Jamila Bookwala commented. “With the launch of our new communication studies major and minor, Gettysburg College will empower our students to take a deep dive into learning and applying the art and science of communications so that they can pursue careers in communicationsrelated fields and make an indelible impact in their professional lives and in their communities.”
The communications major and minor will be co-administered by the English and cinema and media studies departments. Its curriculum is designed to balance theory, analysis and practice while maintaining flexibility. This is to encourage students to pursue communications as a double major or minor, as the programs will leverage existing courses and faculty from other departments.
The major will consist of three core courses, three analysis courses, three praxis courses and a practicum/capstone. These will include a combination of English and cinema studies classes in addition to new classes under the communications designator, including a communications methods class which will be an option alongside English and cinema
studies methods. The practicum will likely involve an internship or other first-hand experience in a relevant field. The capstone will include an individual project similar to that for English and cinema and media studies majors.
“The communication studies program is designed to help students understand how communication can be influenced by various factors including individuals, institutions and greater social dynamics,” said Udden. “It will help them to develop career skills in the creation, exchange, and interpretation of human communication across multiple mediums such as writing, public speaking, digital content creation and interpersonal communication.”
The major will also include two optional tracks: “digital communication” or “public communication.” Future tracks may include “science communication,” “political communication,” “professional communication” and “intercultural communication.”
“We’re building a program that will help our students become compelling storytellers and strategic thinkers, ready to make a real difference both here on campus and in their future lives and careers,” said Forbes. “It’s been exciting to see the whole campus embrace this new program. Faculty and staff all over the College are already reaching out with ideas for new courses. This program is going to be truly special.”
In addition to new classes, the program also requires a basic operating budget, new computers for video editing and a new staff lecturer to assist with advising for students communication majors and related campus organizations such as the WZBT radio station and The Gettysburgian.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for Gettysburg to offer a major and minor in communication studies,” said Forbes. “This is going to open so many doors for our students.” ∎
A Liberal Arts Education: Alessandro Zuccaroli’s Story
By Sarah Daniels, Content Manager
Soon-to-be graduate Alessandro Zuccaroli ’25, a biochemistry major and history minor, has a bright future ahead of him.
Directly after graduation, he will work as a research specialist in an infectious disease laboratory at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.
After two years in this position, Zuccaroli plans to apply to MDPh.D dual degree programs. For his Ph.D, he is still deciding between a molecular biology path, addressing molecular mechanism of pathogenicity, or a historical approach to medicine and infectious disease. He feels confident in both subjects. “In this position, I will assist with the testing of an mRNA vaccine that the laboratory has developed against the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the causative agent of herpes. I am able to consider both options due to the training and mentorship I have experienced at Gettysburg College.”
He attributes his success and future academic endeavors to two professors at Gettysburg.
The first, professor Steve James in the Biology department.
“Under Dr. James’s masterful tutelage, I have developed as a young scientist with a love of research and an appreciation of the impact that dedicated teaching and mentorship can have on others.”
He also credits professor Jim Downs of the history department with helping him succeed. “It was Prof. Downs who first introduced me to the history of medicine and the possibility of an MD-Ph.D in the history of medicine. Without his continued encouragement and belief in me, it is safe to say that I would not have had the confidence or experience necessary to consider this path.”
Gettysburg College’s liberal arts approach allowed him to explore these options across departments. “I was able to combine rigorous scientific study with an intense investigation of history precisely because of the interdisciplinarity that is part and parcel of the College’s mission. I am truly indebted to the faculty and staff of Gettysburg College for their tireless efforts and dedication.”
Zuccaroli’s future is bright, thanks to his parents.
“Primarily, I will celebrate my achievements with my family. I owe it all to my parents for their courageous decision to immigrate to the United States when I was a young child. Opening up opportunities for my sister and myself was foremost on their minds, and it is because of their selfless actions that I have been able to attend Gettysburg College and receive a fantastic education. I cannot thank them enough.” ∎
(Photo Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
The College Planetarium and Observatory:
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
Professor Ian Clarke began working for Gettysburg College in 1991, taking a job as an adjunct English professor for his first years at the College. He soon made a significant and unexpected career change. After taking some time off to take care of his young kids in the late 90s, he returned to Gettysburg College with a dramatically different title — astronomy lab instructor. Soon after, he took over as the director of Hatter Planetarium.
Explaining his career shift towards astronomy, Clarke said that Laurence Marschall, professor emeritus of physics, approached him and asked if he’d be interested in running astronomy labs around the year 2000. Since then, and despite his background in English and poetry, Clarke hasn’t looked back.
“None of this was ever part of my life plan or anything like that, which I think is a shout out to the liberal arts,” said Clarke. “It's good to have a lot of different things in your toolkit that you might do because you never know what opportunities might arise.”
The College’s planetarium, located in Masters Hall, was built in 1966 and opened the following year after an unexpected donation from George G. Hatter, an alumni from the class of 1911. Clarke explained that Hatter wanted his alma mater to have a planetarium, given the unprecedented innovations in astronomy throughout the 1960s. After all, the space age had begun.
Hatter’s donation “kick started a sort of renewal of astronomy at the College.” Astronomy was nothing new at Gettysburg College, as astronomy courses have been taught at the College since its founding in 1832. Michael Jacobs, professor of mathematics, chemistry and natural philosophy until 1866, was the first to teach astronomy at the College.
Jacobs was instrumental in securing the College’s first telescope in 1853. He used this telescope to observe the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, keeping the only
record of weather conditions during the battle. Using the portable telescope, “[Jacobs] viewed the battle from the roof of his house,” explained Clarke.
In the 1870s, the College began raising funds for the construction of its first observatory. The College obtained a larger telescope, and construction on the observatory finished in 1874. It was located where the West Quad residential buildings now sit, just off North Washington Street.
The original observatory housed this larger telescope. The physics department is still in possession of the telescope’s original tube and lens, which has since been cracked. For a time, two students called the original observatory home. They were responsible for maintenance.
Later, the College stopped allowing students to live inside the observatory, leading to a decline in its condition. Eventually, the old observatory fell into disrepair. No longer in use, the observatory was torn down in 1925.
Decades later, as Hatter Planetarium was just beginning to operate, its first director, professor Eugene Milone, wanted a new observatory for the College. His efforts kick-started its construction. Situated on land leased from the National Parks Service, the current observatory is located just north of the West Building, near the baseball field, the Painted Turtle Farm and the railroad tracks. The tracks used to be placed closer to the observatory, which created problems with stability because passing trains would rock the telescope.
The observatory contains three rooms: the dome, the warm room and the classroom. The dome houses the telescope — a 16-inch f/11 computer controlled Ealing Cassegrain reflector telescope that was purchased in 1969. The warm room, or control room, was where the telescope was operated from, housing two main computers that
Above: The original observatory, photographed in 1890. (Musselman Library Special Collections and Archives)
Below: The observatory photographed today from the outside. (Photo Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
controlled the telescope. The last time students worked in this room was in 2022 as part of an X-SIG summer research program. Unfortunately, the telescope stopped functioning later in 2022 and has not been usable since.
The planetarium remains in use constantly, having received a major renovation in 2016 that transformed the planetarium into a classroom and upgraded the projector to digital. Clarke explained how the previouslyused mechanical projector worked.
“The stars are represented by the
Gettysburg’s Gateway to the Sky
holes and lenses in the ball. They're fixed in relationship to one another. But the planets are not, they have to move,” explained Clarke. “So each planet has its own little system with the gear and a mirror and you had to align those periodically. There was this whole process that you went through with little thumb screws and mirrors, and there's an individual little 12 volt bulb for each planet. It’s crazy, but that was how planetariums worked.”
In addition to serving as a classroom for 100-level astronomy courses, the planetarium frequently hosts planetarium shows for the public and for field trip groups.
Every month, Clarke, along with student staff, put on a show called “The Sky This Month” which “shows you what to look for from your backyard in the upcoming month as well as explaining recent astronomical news.”
Additionally, the planetarium has hosted a variety of shows, many of which are developed by planetarium staff. Later this month, the planetarium will debut a new show called “Astronomy of the Civil War Era.”
Ole Beu ’25, an international and global studies and French double major with an economics minor, is one of five student assistants at the planetarium.
“It's something I'm passionate about, and that's why I really enjoy [working at the planetarium],” said Beu.
Explaining how he got into astronomy as a non-STEM major, Beu explained that he took Astronomy 102 (Stellar Astronomy) to fulfill the science with lab requirement and ended up with a fascination for the field. One lab that stood out to him involved measuring the diameter of the Milky Way using radio waves.
“It was really awesome to see how you
can figure out so much about where we are in space just by looking outward,” he said.
Beu found out from a friend that the planetarium employed student workers, and soon after, he approached Clarke to express his interest and was hired. In his position, Beu learned how to use the planetarium software and animated the introduction of four of the planetarium’s shows.
The student assistants split work on the planetarium shows and contribute to developing new shows. One example that Beu worked on is called “Bob the Battlefield Bunny,” a show intended for younger audiences that covers seasons, moon phases and the night sky.
“The cool part, of course, is presenting that show to elementary school students,” said Beu. “We often have field trips that came in from Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. We had a charter school come one week. To see [the students] be like, ‘Oh my god, look at the bunny over there.’ That was fun.”
Beu said one of his favorite parts of running planetarium shows are Q&A sessions. “One of the best parts is to teach something — to other kids, to other students, to other people — that you know you're passionate about.” ∎
Above: Reporting on the observatory telescope from The Gettysburgian archive. (The Gettysburgian: Jan. 10, 1969 issue)
Below: Reporting on the planetarium’s construction from The Gettysburgian archive. (The Gettysburgian: April 9, 1965 issue)
Editorial: The Essential Role of Diversity in Higher Education
By the Gettysburgian Editorial Board
Editor’s Note: This editorial represents the collective opinion of the Gettysburgian Editorial Board. We invite all campus community members to share their thoughts in our opinions section. Please contact editors@gettysburgian.com if you are interested in writing an opinion in The Gettysburgian.
When students enroll at Gettysburg College, they are not expected to sit in a classroom and be told what to think by their professors and peers. Liberal arts colleges like Gettysburg exist to enable students to think critically, not to teach them what they should think. Our small class sizes exist to foster passionate debate and discussion among students and faculty alike. This is how learning should occur in higher education. By equipping students with the skills to engage in discussion that makes us think beyond the classroom, the College is successfully helping students develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the world around us.
The interdisciplinary nature of the liberal arts plays into this. While we have many majors and minors that allow students to gain a deep understanding of their discipline, a Gettysburg College degree requires students to also take courses outside of their major. Students at Gettysburg are inevitably exposed to ideas and concepts outside of their chosen discipline.
All of these factors contribute to making Gettysburg College graduates better thinkers, listeners, learners and debaters. Being exposed to perspectives you don’t hold and hearing about experiences that are different from your own makes you think. This can either broaden your perspective or strengthen your own belief, allowing you to better articulate and defend your own point of view in the future.
Diversity in all its forms — diversity of thought, origin, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, socioeconomic class — is essential to enabling college students to expand our understanding of the world beyond our hometowns and beyond campuses. While the College remains a predominantly white institution, the student experience has benefited from becoming more diverse.
Yet recently, academic freedom in the classroom and diversity on college campuses have been under attack.
Across the country, international students have had their visas revoked. In some cases, they have been detained and deported simply for expressing their political opinions. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, one of the organizers of last year’s pro-Palestine protests and encampment at the university, is one of these students. He was detained last month and flown to an ICE detention center in Louisiana.
As of mid-April, no charges have been brought against Khalil, but he remains in detention. Khalil is an Algerian citizen with a permanent green card. Due process should be afforded to all living within the U.S., not just citizens. Instead, he is being targeted for exercising his freedoms of speech and protest. His status as a noncitizen made it all the easier for the Trump administration to target him.
Tufts University doctoral candidate Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national studying on an F-1 visa, was surrounded and then arrested by plainclothed ICE agents in late March. She was also flown to Louisiana, where, as of midApril, she also remains in detention without charge.
Khalil and Ozturk are not alone. On April 8, the New York Times reported that upwards of 300 international students have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration. Some have “self-deported” by simply leaving the country, while others have been detained without charge.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has even ordered diplomats in the State Department to scour visa applicants’ social media accounts and deny visas to those who have criticized the U.S. or Israel. According to Inside Higher Ed, at least 80 colleges and universities have reported visa revocations for
their students.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education has made demands to universities around the country to change their diversity-related policies or lose federal funding, mainly research grants and student financial aid. In February, a “Dear Colleague” letter was sent to hundreds of colleges and universities, including Gettysburg College, decrying diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies while threatening to axe vital federal funding.
Schools like Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Cornell and Harvard have been hit with hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding loss. Much of this money was in the form of research grants — the very research that millions of Americans depend on. Employees at the National Institutes of Health have been warned not to fund research that includes words like “women,” “diversity,” “Covid,” and “trans.” Among the fields hurt by the funding cuts are cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes research.
After Harvard refused to comply with a list of demands from the Trump administration, about $2 billion in federal funding was frozen. Demands made at Harvard included lessening the power of faculty in the school’s policies, changing admissions policy to prevent the recruitment of international students who are “hostile to American values” and ending all DEIrelated programs, according to the letter sent by the Trump administration.
These cuts are an unjust use of the federal government’s power. The government should not have any control over the curriculum at universities. In their attempt to reconstruct higher education to conform to their worldview, the Trump administration is also hurting part of what has made America so successful — its scientific innovation.
Colleges and universities are where advances in science, medicine and technology are made. With funding losses seen across the country, the rest of the world is going to get ahead while American institutions fall behind. The pointless crusade against DEI-related language in federally-funded scientific research could have grave realworld implications.
Threats are not only being made to larger, more elite universities. Here at Gettysburg, the Young America’s Foundation (YAF) filed a complaint to the Department of Education last month, alleging “ongoing civil rights violations against conservative students at Gettysburg College.” The complaint cites a number of College policies and initiatives, an academic department and identity-based student clubs and events they’ve held.
Besides falsely claiming that some identity-based student organizations and a residential space are exclusive to students of that identity, the complaint alleges that these parts of Gettysburg College are somehow a threat to free speech.
As Gettysburg students, we have observed the opposite — these College clubs and
initiatives are what enable students to find their community, express their thoughts and organize events that make students of different backgrounds feel included.
As of mid-April, the Department of Education’s Philadelphia Office of Civil Rights, the recipient of the complaint, has not opened an investigation.
Higher education does not thrive under threat. It does not thrive under investigation from a politically-charged Department of Education searching for anything that broadly falls into “DEI.”
Higher education does not advance under this intense scrutiny, and it certainly is not the environment in which students become better, more well-rounded thinkers. Students do thrive in a learning environment in which we are exposed to perspectives we have never considered before. We thrive through interacting with and learning about the perspectives of other students from across the country, or even across the world, who may have grown up under entirely different circumstances from our own backgrounds.
Students are not here solely for the bachelor’s degree. We are here to learn, grow and become better people altogether. This is why diversity in all its forms, including diversity of thought, background, origin, and race, is so important to the Gettysburg College student experience. ∎
Postcard from Abroad: Degradation of Democracy in Seoul
By Michael DeRenzo, Guest Columnist
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA —
Maybe this was meant to be. There have been many places I have dreamed of studying abroad. The historical and religious aura surrounding Rome, Italy. The dreamy skies of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Perhaps even the Pho and Banh Mi of Vietnam. At one point, I was even interested in studying abroad in my country of Poland despite it not having an affiliated program with Gettysburg.
In a panic choice, I ended up choosing Seoul, South Korea as a last-minute effort to finally decide on where I should go. In the back of my mind, as I am an international and global studies major, I was interested in the contentious relationship between South Korea and its northern neighbor, both of whom claim the other is part of themselves.
I knew nothing about what others typically associate South Korea with. For instance, I don’t (and still haven’t) listened to much K-pop, nor have I seen K-dramas before despite how many times they’ve been recommended to me. It was this thought of a classic tale between two countries — separated by the most fiercely guarded border in the world — representing two ideals to represent themselves in the global political atmosphere we abide by. One is a state that is strictly authoritarian, ripe with militarism and home to a cult of personality dictatorship. The other is, in my opinion, a miracle state that seemed like a stable country.
And then came December 3 of last year. I was in my bed in Gettysburg just about to go to sleep when I saw a BBC article detailing President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in the country. His reasoning, although vague and perhaps even wrong, led to severe backlash.
I will spare you the full insight of this martial law and subsequent reaction from officials and civilians alike. In short, it was a jaw-dropping moment for me. Not only was I going to embark into Seoul in a few short months, but a country seen by many as one of the most politically stable no longer was.
As I am writing this, I am fine. More than fine, actually. Seoul is drop-down gorgeous and although my mind was not on studying abroad to Korea for the
longest time, I firmly believe it was the best choice I could have made. However, something feels strange in the air, and no, it’s not the air pollution here. It’s something more insidious, and, without taking sides, I believe that South Korea is now entering into a new stage of democracy that is happening in other parts of the world: a rise in what I consider a “cult of personality.”
Much unlike what other students before me had to witness, there is now an unprecedented aura of politics that is inescapable. Everybody here has a view about not only Yoon Suk Yeol, but for the future of Korea. Some that I have spoken to remind me of the far-right in the United States, where their loyalty to U.S. President Donald Trump was previously unheard of.
As I have witnessed pro-government protests, it seems that this sense of loyalty to a figure is now arising in Korea as well. In one protest I saw, both American and Korean flags were on full display; chants in favor of Yoon Suk Yeol were heard throughout the bustling neighborhoods, and people ranging from young adults to seniors were busy partaking in such protests. Koreans in favor of the government appear to view Yoon Suk Yeol as a martyr for the sake of Korea’s future. An ultra-nationalist wave is forming, and as the voices of those against the president become louder, so too do those in favor of the president have their voices louder. The same, of course, is happening in the United States. It is no longer a matter of agreeing or disagreeing on how a government should work, but rather it is a fight for what the purpose of a country even is.
Of course, with every action there is a reaction. And surely enough, I have also witnessed staunch anti-government
protests. One thing is apparent, though: everybody here is now taking a side, and it is more vocal than ever. Those in favor of the government seem to act just like how pro-Trump supporters act, in that they often chant values that used to be universally accepted. Supporters of the government will accuse opponents of many things, such as being communist, pro-North Korean and anti-South Korean. It may sound familiar to those back home. Since these protests started, Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from office by South Korea’s Constitutional Court, but support for him remains. The purpose of this article, then, is to reveal to those back home a simple yet significant point: a rise in political extremism is occurring, and due to what had happened on December 3, I believe being abroad in South Korea truly was the right place to study in. I originally came here to learn about the uneasy tension between the North and South, and I will come back out of the country learning an even more valuable lesson. To be able to experience such an astronomical event as it is unfolding in-person is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To see a country like South Korea — which was thought of as extremely politically stable
— become a center of a major political crisis for the actions committed by the president is simply absurd. Furthermore, these experiences that are currently unfolding have taught me another thing: what is happening in the United States is not unique to itself. This rise in ultranationalism and distancing between both sides of the political spectrum seems to be occurring in nations worldwide.
We truly are living in a special time. It may not be a pleasant time for any of us, and even less so for some, but we are nonetheless living in a time that will be emphasized in the history books. To see such nations like the U.S. and South Korea, among others, fall to a cult of personality is unbelievable. In America, it is no longer republican versus democrat, but pro- or anti-Trump. In Korea, it is no longer liberal or conservative, but pro- or anti-Yoon Suk Yeol. Everybody is taking sides for the ultimate fate of Korea, much like what is currently occurring in the United States. Does this mean Korea is doomed? Not necessarily. What it does mean, however, is that the left and the right are at each other’s throats, and precious aspects of our democracies, such as freedom and pride, are now held hostage by respective groups. ∎
Photos courtesy of Michael DeRenzo
Faculty Spotlight: Professor Pede on Teaching What Textbooks Can’t
By Sophie Lange, Features Editor & Social Media Manager
In his undergraduate years, adjunct professor of public policy Charles Pede attended three colleges: Millersville State College, George Mason University and the University of Virginia. He had an ROTC scholarship and studied anthropology before going to law school, also at the University of Virginia. There, he earned his Juris Doctor after receiving an educational delay from the Army. After graduating, he began his career at the Judge Advocate General’s Court of the United States Army, which is the Army’s law firm that provides around 1,800 active duty lawyers worldwide.
Speaking on his career in law, Pede said, “The Army has so many different facets to the practice of law. It includes not just providing legal advice and creating meaningful relationships with your clients but trying to make a difference every day in the life of somebody accused of a crime, or a commander who's trying to do the right thing with the money he's been given to train his soldiers, or perhaps on the battlefield. How do I care for these prisoners of war or detainees who are unlawful combatants? It covers such a wide spectrum.”
While working with the Judge Advocate General’s Court, Pede recognized the many educational opportunities, particularly
those that allowed him to teach. In over 35 years in the Army, he regularly ran courses to educate senior leaders within the Army and taught as a part-time professor both within the United States and abroad.
“At the same time, and I think this is true for lawyers generally, but Army lawyers in particular, there are a lot of educational opportunities,” he explained.
“I actually became a professor at our Army law school. It's in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well, right next to the UVA law school. I taught there as a professor of criminal law… but I also found myself teaching in local community colleges, wherever I was stationed. I’d teach property law, business law and different kinds of law in communities.”
During this point in his career, Pede discovered his love for teaching, and when he retired from the Army in 2021, he decided he wanted to keep teaching into his retirement, which is when he began teaching at Gettysburg. His areas of academic focus include national security policy, military policy and criminal law.
When asked what he wanted others to better understand about these focuses, Pede said he wished people understood the Army better, especially the Army Judge Advocate General Corps.
“It's the oldest, and in my mind, best law firm in the world, and certainly in the United States. We provide honest, principled counsel
to commanders and soldiers who face difficult situations, and it's important that people understand what lawyers do for our armed forces, and that's to enforce and uphold the rule of law,” he explained.
To Pede, the rule of law is important because it provides order and purpose and protects the individuals living within a society. Lawyers, he said, are tasked with ensuring public trust in the rule of law and those who are responsible for it, such as judges, prosecutors and defense counsel. When those legal professionals can be trusted, it is because society as a whole holds them in respect due to their good conduct. He expressed that humility is a vital part of their role as custodians of the rule of law.
The main reason why Pede teaches is that he feels he can offer more than what the law says concretely, but he also has the capacity to apply practical experiences to the practices of law and public policy. He said that many people tend to know about policy in solely academic or theoretical terms, but the application and execution in the real world is not necessarily as well-understood. Because of his experiences as an Army lawyer and, ultimately, the Judge Advocate General of the Army, Pede is able to offer unique insights into the realities of the legal and public spheres.
“I feel an obligation to give back. The country has invested a lot in me over the years, and I think I owe this to the people I live and work around,” he said. He expressed that the most memorable aspect of teaching has been seeing students become aware of the many different perspectives that they previously had not considered. It comes down to the moment when students discover the difference between knowledge and wisdom. “Wisdom is converted knowledge. Knowledge is only useful if it converts to wisdom, and that only happens through experience,” Pede explained, “so when you combine knowledge and experience, you get wisdom. Wisdom is learned over time, over the course of life. That's what students begin to learn as we start to think about what it is we're trying to learn in class, and especially in public policy.”
This ties directly into the role of higher education in preparing students for the future, which, for Pede, is opening students’ minds to those new perspectives. He said that many of the students whom he encounters begin with a myopic point of view and fail to consider all the stakeholders. He often reminds his students that they will almost always leave out a stakeholder.
“We will inevitably… omit, forget, discount, ignore a potential stakeholder — somebody with equity, somebody who's got skin in the game. It's our job in public policy to ensure we haven't neglected those people,” he said. “What I
find is that at the beginning of a conversation, we bring our biases and our personal life experience, which is normal and natural to a discussion of public policy, and we have failed to consider others’ interests, others’ equities.”
However, he explained that teaching students to approach that conversation with the knowledge that a stakeholder will be left out is key to ensuring that they find the missing stakeholders. This is a mind-opening experience that he believes makes students better people because it forces them to shed their biases. To achieve this, Pede employs an open manner of engagement in which he deliberately makes use of the pause in a way that encourages
students to educate themselves, especially through practical exercises.
According to Pede, these exercises “are the ideal methodology for students to learn with a professor accentuating the learning process. It magnifies the students’ own responsibility to learn the topic and then explore it through handson experience… I think the practical experience of it is just a profoundly more enriching learning experience, so I try to maximize that in my classes.”
When asked what advice he had for undergraduate students, Pede recommended that they not commit too early to a singular area of study. He said that the most important thing in an undergraduate education is student exposure to vast fields of study, and for students, the choice to take advantage of that opportunity to broaden their horizons. He also advocated for public service.
“Public service is a noble, worthwhile pursuit. There are endless opportunities to contribute and give back to our communities… and I believe everybody should commit to public service for at least a period of time in their life,” he said. “I think given the blessings we all enjoy in this country, we all owe it to our country and our fellow citizens to give back in some way. It doesn't have to be forever, but just a little bit. But that's kind of my priority: trying to encourage people to pursue public service.” ∎
Prof. Charles Pede, now retired, previously served as U.S. Army Lieutenant General. (U.S. Army photo by William Pratt)
A Year in Review: Gettysburg’s Best Sports Moments from the 2024-25 Year
By Max Ferguson, Staff Writer
The end of the school year is coming faster than anybody can realize. For most students, the beginning of the semester feels like yesterday, yet campus is preparing to hunker down for finals. Likewise, the Bullets teams sports seasons have also flown by. Spring athletes are in the heat of conference play, excited to launch long playoff berths. Fall and winter athletes are in the weightroom making sure they are in top shape for the start of their respective seasons. In the midst of how fast time seems to be moving, it is worth taking a pause to reflect on the amazing successes that Bullets athletic teams have had as the 2024-25 school year comes to a close.
Musselman Stadium’s New Lights
The 2024-25 academic year marked the first time in Bullets athletic history that an outdoor sport was able to host a home night game. Thanks to the philanthropic contributions of several donors, stadium lighting was installed at Musselman Stadium so teams that play in the stadium can play night home games. The lights were installed over the offseason in time for fall sports to practice and play under the lights during their season. The football team was the first to play under the lights in a victory against McDaniel. The game, which ended in a 20-7 final score, saw Gettysburg score
twice on defense. The electric turnovers turned touchdowns were only amplified by the effects made possible by the lighting system installed. The Bullets Marching band also put on a halftime performance synced to the lighting system. The game was also one of the first in Division III to feature replay review. Although not used, the Centennial Conference piloted coaches’ replay challenges at Division III this season. This also marked the first of two games in the “Under the Lights” celebrations that the College put on to rally families, students, faculty and donors to support Bullets teams and experience a night game for themselves. The men’s lacrosse team had an identical event in the spring semester which also ended in a victory against a ranked Swarthmore team. The game also featured
Charlie Johnson ’27 scoring six goals which could be considered one of the year’s best sports moments in and of itself. Overall, the new lights have added to the atmosphere of Musselman Stadium and more night outdoor events are likely to be scheduled in next year’s seasons.
Volleyball’s Dominant Season Ends in National Tournament Appearance
The Bullets volleyball team had a dominant season as they went 7-3 in conference play and 24-6 overall. Their dominant season was capped off in an appearance in the national tournament where they swept Manhattanville 3-0 in the first round. Their season was ultimately ended by Middlebury College. However, the Volleyball team still dominated in a highly contested conference and should go even further in next year’s
Views from the first-ever football game under the new Musselman Stadium lights.
(Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
tournament with a strong rising senior class and intense recruiting of some of Division III’s best incoming talent.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball Make National Tournaments
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had extremely successful regular seasons that ended with the women’s team winning the Centennial Conference trophy. For their first appearance in the tournament since 2009, the Men’s team received an at-large bid to compete in the national tournament. The women’s team advanced to the quarterfinals, where their run was cut short by NYU, the eventual Division III Women’s Basketball Champions. In the final National Basketball Coaches Association poll of the year, the women’s team was ranked #10 nationally. In the D3Hoops.com ranking, they came in at #9. Both the men’s and women’s Basketball teams have much to celebrate. Both teams are hot off of incredible seasons and have consistently improved year after year. Expect even more success from Gettysburg’s basketball teams in the coming season.
Wrestling Sends Two to the National Tournament
Wrestling had their best season in years. Led by a new head coach, Brad Brosius, the team doubled their dual meet wins from two to four and sent two wrestlers to the national tournament compared to none last year. Rustin Barrick, wrestling’s assistant coach, has largely taken the reins on
recruiting. The year over year improvement has caught the eyes of many prospective wrestlers to the point where in his words: “we’re having to turn guys away if the wrestling or the GPA isn’t there.”
Gavin Pascoe ’27 and Justin Richey ’26 both appeared in the National Wrestling Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island after an emotional qualifying tournament at Messiah University. The duo will serve as an inspiration to their teammates as the team look to send even more Bullets to next year’s tournament.
Men’s and Women’s Swim Continue to Dominate
After numerous record setting performances at the Centennial Conference Tournament, both the men’s and women’s swim teams sent swimmers down to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete in the Division III National Swimming Championship. Where the women’s 200 meter freestyle relay earned All-American Status with a 14th place finish. Swimming has been a historically successful program in both men’s and women’s.
Softball Defeats #4 Tufts to Open the Season, Paige Forry ’25 Throws a Perfect Game
In the opening tournament of the seasons, the softball team took down #4 nationally ranked Tufts University in an upset win. Since, the team has been on a roll and remains nationally ranked at #13.
Paige Forry ’25 also threw a perfect game against LaGrange in a game Gettysburg won on a mercy rule 8-0. Forry also currently boasts a .64 ERA, making her one of the most dominant pitchers in program history. They look to repeat last year’s Centennial Conference title and seek a playoff berth in the Softball World Series as they enter the latter half of their season.
Baseball Earns 15 Game Win Streak
The baseball team won their first fifteen games straight which carried all the way into spring break. The streak has put baseball into the national limelight. Currently, they stand ranked #16 nationally in the D3baseball.com national coaches poll. The team also boasts a 24-5 record. This is largely in part to a much more robust bullpen. Pitching ability is not only elevated but consistent throughout the bullpen. Aside from pitching, fielding and batting are also greatly improved upon from last year.
The past school year has led to countless amazing moments. Even so, the good times are far from over. The Bullets spring teams are in the midst of elite seasons. Players, coaches, and fans alike are all excited to see how the end of the spring season will play out. Looking at the greatness that occurred over the school year will motivate teams to replicate that success, fans to witness it firsthand and coaches to take pride in their teams. ∎
Gettysburg Women’s Lacrosse: Eyes on the National Stage
By Owen Kutlu, Sports Editor
The Gettysburg College women’s lacrosse team entered the 2025 season with expectations as high as ever. After being named the preseason favorite in the Centennial Conference with seven first-place votes, the Bullets had a clear message to send: they’re not just here to compete; they’re here to contend.
The season opener on Feb. 19 against Messiah set the tone. Gettysburg came out firing, securing a 17-12 victory behind a standout performance from Julia Daly ’26, who tallied a career-high nine points on three goals and six assists. Emily Crane ’25 chipped in with three goals and three assists of her own, and the rest of the offense saw five players score multiple goals. It was an early sign of the team’s offensive depth and talent. However, the road hasn’t been without its challenges. A midMarch matchup against No. 1 Middlebury proved to be a learning moment. Gettysburg jumped out to a 3-0 lead, showing they could hang with the nation’s best, but Middlebury responded with an eight-goal run on the way to a 15-6 win. The result was a setback, but also a chance to regroup and refocus. Games like that are often what shape a team for the postseason.
Statistically, the Bullets have remained strong throughout
the season. As of early April, they’ve averaged around 15 goals per game, while allowing fewer than 10. Their defense has caused over 40 turnovers, and their clear percentage, just above 84%, shows that they are taking care of the ball. These numbers aren’t just impressive on paper, but they’re the foundation of the play style that Gettysburg strives to put on the field week in and week out.
Daly has been a constant force, not only as a scorer but as a playmaker. Her ability to draw defenders and set up teammates has been a difference-maker in close games. On the defensive end, Lily Macatee ’25 has provided a strong presence, especially in the draw circle, where she recently broke the program’s career record for draw controls. Her consistency in getting the Bullets possession has often set the tone for the entire game.
Despite being the favorites, the Centennial Conference schedule is no joke. Teams like Franklin & Marshall and Haverford always come ready to give a gritty battle, and one off day could mean the difference between a win and a loss, as shown by the Bullets narrow 10-11 defeat to Franklin & Marshall on April 2. But for the most part, the Bullets have met each challenge head-on, building
momentum for May. One of the strengths of this year’s team has been its balance. Veterans have stepped up, but so have younger players, providing a glimpse at both the present and the future of the program. First-year contributors have carved out roles and helped sustain the team’s high level of play as the team enters the thick of the season.
Looking ahead, Gettysburg knows the competition will only get tougher. The path to a national title is filled with heavyweights like Tufts, Middlebury and Salisbury. All of these programs boast deep rosters and loads of postseason experience. But the Bullets have been here before too. The program’s consistent excellence, built on years of deep tournament runs and national success, has maintained a culture of belief. The foundation is there, the pieces are in place, and the opportunity is real.
As the regular season winds down and the postseason picture takes shape, Gettysburg’s focus is clear: keep pushing, keep improving, and make a run at the national championship that’s eluded them since 2018. If the early months are any indication, the Bullets have every reason to believe this could be their year. ∎
The Crossword
By Heather Wirick, Assistant News Editor
Across
1. One of Nightshade’s cousins, a large funnel-shaped flower.
3. You’d better wash your hands with this.
7. Close your eye and you’ll see this.
10. Great for holding soup or cereal.
11. A course ___ combines some of your classes.
13. Some teachers use this in order to check if students have used it.
14. Some say the best stories start with “___ upon a time…”
15. Major player in the oil industry.
18. The number most underclassmen dread.
20. Meh.
21. You can get a ___ to wear at commencement by graduating with honors or being involved on campus.
23. Atomic number 52 (abbr.)
24. First-year students tend to brag about these credits.
26. …and behold!
27. Many are worried that 13 Across will take over the production of this.
28. Placeholder.
33. The sister of one of your parents.
34. Known to “make the world go round.”
36. Current Era (abbr.)
37. …T-O-G-O!
38. An abbreviated limb?
40. “Denial is a…”
Down
1. Xavier Roberts is to thank for the vegetable-based baby doll craze of the 1980s.
2. American Civil Liberties Union (abbr.)
3. Shade of grey; clean.
4. __! I’m walkin’ here!
5. 36 Across is the more secular way of using this acronym.
6. The __ Underground was a prominent psychedelic rock band in the 1960s and 70s.
8. Not across, but…
9. American Counseling Association; Affordable Care Act (abbr.)
12. Organ puddle?
15. To mark something, or to remove a mark from something.
16. One-syllable verb or noun, or twosyllable food.
17. This Warner is to thank for the great Beanie Baby craze of the late 90s.
19. Mass notification system.
22. This prefix means everything.
24. ___ hands on deck!
25. The trumpet, trombone and tuba are members of this instrument family.
27. Barthesian death?
29. This Cape in Portugal is the western extremity of continental Europe.
30. Not odd?
31. It’s not you: it’s ___.
32. Stove bucket?
35. We’re made of these. Particle, ion.
39. If you get your doctorate, you get to put this abbreviation in front of your name.
Grace
Heather
Brandon
David
Kenzie
Sophie
Owen
Sarah Daniels, Content Manager