Letters from Gettysburg

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For those who appreciate truly fine music, it’s a wonderful time to be on the Gettysburg College campus. In just one weekend, I was able to attend four performances showcasing various members of the Sunderman Conservatory, and I left each one inspired and in awe of the spectacular talent of our students and faculty.

There is one performance, however, of which I would like to make special note. On Saturday, April 13, the Gettysburg College choirs and percussion ensemble kicked off the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with a poignant event that will live long in the memory of those in attendance. Avner Dorman, a world-renowned composer and member of the Sunderman Conservatory faculty, held the world premiere for his most recent voice and percussion piece, Letters from Gettysburg. This composition incorporates words taken from the letters written by a Union soldier who was mortally wounded at Gettysburg, as well as from a letter his mother wrote at his deathbed. Gettysburg College’s Director of Choral Activities, Rob Natter, and percussion ensemble director, Tim Sestrick, led our students in performing this five-movement composition.DormanPerformCrowdw

This was a truly stunning performance—one that not only gave tribute to this 150th anniversary, but that also conveyed the tragedy of war. Though it is easy, even as residents of this small town, to feel disconnected from this turning point in our history, Letters from Gettysburg made the Battle of Gettysburg personal. It brought into sharp focus the toll that war has taken in the past and that it continues to take today on the individual, on families, and on those whose lives are forever changed or end far too soon—a powerful message, indeed.

A Journey to Remember

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Journey to Remember

Yesterday was Founders Day at Gettysburg College—the 181st anniversary of our College’s establishment, originally as Pennsylvania College. To celebrate, a group of students and campus community members participated in our first annual “Journey to Remember,” a student-coordinated walk to Gettysburg’s Peace Light.

As we stood at the foot of a monument built to remind us of our commitment to peace, unity, and democracy, we paused to remember our founder, Samuel Simon Schmucker, and the generations of Gettysburgians who have worked to assure that Gettysburg College remains strong. We also reflected upon the privilege of education, the opportunities it affords us, and the responsibilities that come with it.

Looking out into a crowd of students who had dedicated their Sunday evening to celebrating our College’s founding, I was inspired by the potential that they hold for our future. I reminded them that they, too, could make an impact in our campus community and beyond.

As Gettysburgians—as students and alumni, as community members and professionals, and as global citizens—we are charged to serve the greater good, to work towards justice, collaboration, and peace, and to do truly great work.

This Founders Day and every Founders Day, let us remember that charge and carry it forward.

Transformed by history: Gettysburg College’s call to service

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This piece is the third in a seven-part New York Times series sponsored by Gettysburg College as we join the country in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. It also appeared in the Huffington Post. 

As Gettysburg College joins the nation this year in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, it’s clear that not only our location binds us to these historic events. We are also bound by service.

When the Civil War made its way to Pennsylvania, Gettysburg College stood in its midst. With news of an approaching Confederate States Army in June 1863, 48 of the 116 students enrolled in the College at that time abandoned their studies and joined Company A, 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia Regiment, offering their service to the Union Army. The Battle of Gettysburg ensued in early July, changing our town, our college, and our country forever.

Our students jumped to action – filling a need where they saw it–in a spirit of service that has repeated itself throughout Gettysburg College’s 181 years.

Later that same year, David Wills, an 1851 graduate of the College, was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin to procure land for a national cemetery to bury the Union dead. Wills not only handled the arrangements for the cemetery, but took it upon himself to invite President Lincoln for its November 19, 1863 dedication. Wills hosted the President at his home the night before, where Lincoln is said to have finished drafting the Gettysburg Address.

If it wasn’t for our own David Wills inviting the president to deliver “a few appropriate remarks” at the dedication ceremony, the world’s most famous oratory might not have happened.

Our students’ passion for and commitment to service have only grown since 1863. Our goal at Gettysburg College is to help our students develop the capacity to solve big problems, resolve conflict, and improve our world—to feel a responsibility to apply their education towards purposeful action for the greater good.

I’ve spent my career working in higher education because I’m a firm believer in the power of the individual. As someone who interacts regularly with our younger generation, I’m happy to report that these young people understand that power. Making the world a better place is the promise of our students’ generation.

Earlier this month, Gettysburg College was one of five colleges and universities in the nation to be named a Presidential Awardee in the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll – the highest honor an institution can receive for its commitment to public service. More than 70% of our students engage in service-related activities, but our approach goes deeper than providing service. Our students engage with community members to facilitate partnerships and alliances that foster social justice and positive personal and community change.

When the world turns its attention to Gettysburg this year, I take pride in knowing that our college, which shares a name with a place that forever changed our country, prepares students who are dedicated to changing the world for the better. As cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

And change the world we will.

The state of Florida is alive with Gettysburgians

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I’ve just returned from a trip to Florida, where I had the opportunity to visit many Gettysburg alumni and parents.  As usual, I exhorted everyone to wear their Orange and Blue—until it was pointed out to me that Orange and Blue colors in Florida summon up thoughts of Florida Gators before Gettysburg! So our friends in Florida need to be a little more assertive about wearing Gettysburg on their sleeves, not just the Gettysburg colors. Along those lines, I was pleased to see the Gettysburg G on Bill ’63 and Jean ’64 Kirchhoff’s car – there was no mistaking that their car carries Gettysburg College friends!

Pres. Riggs with alumni in Florida

Carmen and Donna Romeo, parents of Nick ’12, hosted an event at their lovely home in Miami Beach, and on the other side of the state, we had a large gathering hosted by Vince ’57 and Margery Scola, Jack ’57 and Carol ’58 Bream, and Bob “Wheaties” ’62 and Marsha ’62 Parker, who are pictured. In the meantime, another group of Gettysburgians was gathering in St. Petersburg at the home of Mark ’73 and Barb ’71 Shames. The state of Florida was alive with Gettysburgians!

Over and over, I am buoyed by the loyalty of Gettysburgians everywhere and by the bond that ties us together.

Numbers Don’t Lie — A Cost/Value Analysis of a Liberal Arts Degree

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This blog post also appeared in the Huffington Post on February 26, 2013.

Can the poor and middle class afford an education at a private liberal arts college? And is it a wise investment?

What a shame that news stories about the high costs of college lead many to think that the answer to these questions is no. Not only is a liberal arts education not as expensive as news stories lead us to believe, but there may be no better investment in America today.

According to CNN/Money’s interpretation of data provided by Peterson’s Guides, the average annual student cost of attending my institution, Gettysburg College, after receipt of grants and scholarships, is $25,400, making the average four-year cost $107,800. That sounds like a lot of money. However, this is significantly less than the “sticker price,” thanks to alumni, parents, and friends who believe so strongly in the value of a Gettysburg education that they help support those students who could not afford to attend otherwise.

Now let’s factor in the fact that the average living cost for a single person in America, including rent, utilities, cable, groceries, entertainment, transportation and health insurance is $1,300 per month. This doesn’t include car payments or insurance, gym memberships, weekend trips, or the occasional vacation.

At Gettysburg we provide our students with high quality dining; access to cultural events, speakers, and fitness facilities; and the opportunities to participate in a vast array of activities. Although one could easily make the case that this quality of life exceeds the average standard of living, let’s assume that all of this could be bought for the average living cost of $1,300 per month. That totals $11,700 for the 9 months that our students typically spend on campus each year. If those living costs are subtracted from what the average student is paying, the annual cost for their education is $13,700. So one could conclude that the average cost of a four-year Gettysburg education is under $60,000. And it’s worth noting that most of our students earn their degrees in four years.

The point is that when considering cost of a college education, one should factor in living expenses as well as available scholarships and grants. The cost of the education may be far less than the “sticker price” would lead one to believe.

But what about value? Is this investment worth it? Is it worth it enough to take on debt? That’s the question we should all be asking, whether it’s a private liberal arts college, a business school, or a major research university.

Once again, if we turn to the numbers, we find evidence that a college degree is indeed a financially sound investment. In 2011, a report issued by the Center for Education and the Workforce stated that those holding bachelor’s degrees earn nearly a million dollars more over a lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. The numbers make the case.

In addition, a survey of college graduates done in 2002 and repeated in 2011 by education consultant Hardwick Day indicates that relative to graduates of public flagship universities, liberal arts college graduates feel better prepared for life after college and say that their academic preparation played a more important role in their acceptance to graduate school and finding their first job.

The bottom line? A private liberal arts college is an excellent financial investment and within financial reach for most. Fortunately, despite the misleading headlines, many families and students understand this cost/value analysis. For example, the average family income of those going to private colleges here in PA is lower than that of those going to the state universities.

Of course, value extends beyond a paycheck. The same Hardwick Day survey shows that liberal arts college graduates report a higher degree of academic challenge, greater involvement in community service, stronger leadership skill development, greater benefits from high quality teaching-oriented faculty, and greater satisfaction with the overall quality of their education.

Liberal arts colleges are focused on the development of critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills, all of which are essential to solving the complex issues our globally interconnected world faces. We prepare students to be responsible citizens, individuals who will work to improve their communities. That value to our nation and the world might be harder to quantify than individual salary, but it’s no less important.

Visitors from the United Arab Emirates

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One of the great perks of being the president of Gettysburg College is the opportunity to meet a wide range of interesting people.  This week we’ve had the privilege of hosting on our campus a group of diplomats from the United Arab Emirates who are spending a week in Gettysburg for leadership training.  Ed and I invited the group for dinner at our home, and they also spent an evening with faculty and students from our Middle East and Islamic Studies program.  In addition to the social and cultural exchange, this provided our students with a great opportunity to practice their Arabic language skills!

Before they left, our guests presented me with some amazing gifts to Gettysburg College:  a cast of Abraham Lincoln’s left hand, a pewter plate from Stonewall Jackson’s birth home, and a collection of items from Robert E. Lee’s funeral.  I was so moved that they gave us these pieces of American history, which will now have a home in Musselman Library’s Special Collections and will be available for viewing by our students, other members of the College community, and the public.   There was something very poignant about the fact that our visitors from the Middle East understood the significance of these items to us, particularly during the 150th anniversary year of the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  This kind gesture and gracious gift forged a bond of friendship that will live on beyond their visit.

Reflections on the passing of Charles Glatfelter

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Charles Glatfelter graduated from Gettysburg College in 1946, began teaching in the History Department while working on his PhD at Johns Hopkins, and continued until his retirement 40 years later in 1989. During that time, he taught and mentored countless students, served as department chair and dean of the faculty, served on and chaired countless committees, all the while researching and writing on the history of Pennsylvania, the local community, and the College. Charlie’s life was entwined with the life of Gettysburg College for decades.

On February 12 many of us in the College community and the Gettysburg area community gathered to mourn the loss of Charlie, to express condolences to his family, and to celebrate a life well lived. The service provided a fitting tribute to a well respected and greatly admired teacher and scholar, to a devoted community member, to a loving husband and father.

Charlie lived a life for which we aim to prepare our graduates—- a life characterized by continuous learning, lively intellectual curiosity, thoughtful reflection, high standards, commitment to one’s community, service to one’s neighbor, and a high level of integrity.

When I have a question about the history of Gettysburg College, I always turn first to Charlie’s 2-volume tome, A Salutary Influence. Although he modestly relegates a mention of himself to a footnote, there is no question that Charles Glatfelter was himself a salutary influence on Gettysburg College. The Gettysburg College community has lost a hero, but there is no question that his legacy lives on.

More information and other reflections are available on the College’s news@gettysburg section.