Everybody loves Servo cookies. They’re a selling point for prospectives, a favorite part of your school years, and an anticipated aspect of reunions. Believe it or not, though, there really are more things to love about Gettysburg!
- Your peers.
If you attend Gettysburg College, chances are you’ll meet your best friend(s) here. While your squad might not last forever, you know some of these relationships will last a lifetime. Some people even marry their former classmates!
- The views.
No matter what, there’s no denying that Gettysburg is gorgeous. At any time of year, you can most likely look out the window of your dorm/classroom/nook in the library and see a beautiful scene.
- The history.
History major/minor or not, you can’t help but acknowledge the history that surrounds the College. Whether it’s because of the monuments along your running route or the countless tourists with selfie sticks and a lack of direction, you’ll notice it at some point. That’s certainly not a bad thing!
- The town.
Aside from being super historical, Gettysburg is a quaint little town. Whether you’re checking out the “Boardwalk” of gift shops and ghost tours on Steinwehr or grabbing drinks and wings at The Pub, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- The other food.
Back on campus, you’ve got plenty of food-related options waiting for you, all as part of your meal plan! Soup and sushi at Ike’s, a smoothie at the Dive, burgers at Bullet, or a bowl of chili and a panini at Servo, you can make magic with minimal effort. Who said college food has to be terrible?
- The squirrels.
Sure, squirrels exist elsewhere, but Gettysburg squirrels are in a league of their own. At any time, they can be found throwing acorns at your head/car/backpack (“Silly human, why aren’t you hiding nuts for winter?”), chasing one another, or generally being adorable. They may be not-so-secretly plotting to take over campus.
- Your professors.
Gettysburg has some of the best professors you will ever meet. Whether you need one-on-one assistance with an assignment or an additional explanation for a concept, nearly everyone employed here truly wants you to succeed. Who could ever ask for more? Be sure to check out your PLA’s, PSM’s, etc., too!
-
The clubs.
Really like board games? Gettysburg has a club for that. Fencing or ultimate frisbee? Yep. Finance, Civil War reenacting, Theatre, or Mental Health awareness? All of the above. If we don’t have a club, it’s super easy to start one! (If you’re looking for a new activity, why not join Her Campus? Email gettysburg@hercampus.com for more information!)
- The community.
From Alumni to DPS workers, the Gettysburg community is tightly knit. Nearly anywhere in the world, you can wear a Gettysburg tshirt and be approached by someone who went here, knows someone who went here, or worked here. In some cases, the “Gettysburg” on your resume might help you land your dream job!
- Your classes.
Even if you claim to despise it, the Gettysburg Curriculum can be pretty amazing— how else could you sit between a BMB and an OMS major in your Introduction to Philosophy course? The small size of classes is a bonus, especially when you might not be very comfortable with the material. You’re bound to make a friend to help you struggle through!
- The opportunities.
Not many people graduate college claiming to have met the Eisenhower family, presented formal research (repeatedly!), held jobs, internships, and externships, been head of multiple clubs, and more; here at Gettysburg, you could do all that in just your first year!
- JMR.
In many schools, the College President is an aloof figurehead or disciplinarian. Here, President Riggs is practically worshiped, adored as a celebrity by all.
While Servo cookies are admittedly great, it’s not the only thing that makes our school Gettysburg Great!
Special thanks to Hugh Martin and his English 101 course for allowing me to photograph their class!