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College History
Gettysburg College, Witness to America's History
Anti-slavery theologian Samuel Simon Schmucker founded Pennsylvania College in 1832. Five years later, the institution (which became Gettysburg College in 1921) moved into Pennsylvania Hall on land provided by abolitionist Congressman and College Trustee Thaddeus Stevens, author of the 14th Amendment that guarantees full civil rights to citizens of all states. Today, our founders' commitment to social justice continues through the College's Center for Public Service.
The Civil War's decisive battle swept through campus in July 1863; Pennsylvania Hall became a hospital. On Nov. 19, 1863, students, faculty, and townspeople marched to hear Abraham Lincoln hallow the National Cemetery with his Gettysburg Address. An 1851 graduate of the College, David Wills, invited Lincoln to deliver "a few appropriate remarks." Today, first-year students recreate the procession through town to hear an honored guest read the Address, and the College remains known nationally for its Civil War programs.
A half-century after the Civil War, Dwight Eisenhower commanded a training camp on the Gettysburg battlefield. After serving as US President from 1953 to 1961, he retired here, became a College trustee, and wrote his memoirs in the College's Admission Office, now known as Eisenhower House. His legacy continues through the College's Eisenhower Institute for public policy.
Gettysburg College's commitment to the liberal arts and sciences is reflected in our graduates' continuing contributions: Nobel Prize-winning cancer researcher Michael Bishop '57; Oscar-nominated cinematographer Owen Roizman '58; 9/11 Commission member and counsel to two US presidents Fred Fielding '61; past UNICEF and Peace Corps director Carol Bellamy '63' Newbery Medalist Manic Magee author Jerry Spinelli '63; former NAACP President Bruce Gordon '68; past Lutheran World Relief President Kathryn Wolford '79; Broadway actor Rick Holmes '85; TV and fashion star Carson Kressley '91; Rhodes Scholar Luke Norris '06. |