Gettysburg Institutes the 87 Days Campaign

By Connor Lees 

November 19^th falls “Four Score and Seven Days” from this year’s First Year Walk to the National Cemetery. This date is of incredible importance especially to this town, as it is the date of Remembrance Day, the day Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous and hallowed Gettysburg Address near the very location where it was presented to this year’s incoming class of First Years.

The school has taken to the significance of the metaphorically convenient length of time between these two events, and has developed the “87 Days Campaign” to go along with the “What makes you Gettysburg Great?” movement. Encouraging the many First Years to get involved, the school is asking them what they will do in their first “Four Score and Seven” days at the College. This could include getting involved in clubs, joining sports teams, volunteering, or finding a job on campus, Gettysburg College hopes that not only the First Years, but all the students here will make an effort to better engage themselves in the Gettysburg community during this famous length of time.

The College is really ramping up its efforts to encourage students to get involved as of late, and signs seem to be pointing up. The campaign is gaining ground and hopefully publicity in these coming weeks as Remembrance Day approaches.

All of these efforts fall in line with the hope that every student has something that motivates them to be “Gettysburg Great”, and in turn to “Do Great Work” during their time here at the institution.

It is excellent to see the school expanding its efforts and encouragement, and the onus is not only on the students to prove that they can improve themselves and get engaged. The school itself has been making drastic improvements lately, as a result of much feedback from students as to what they want to see at the school.

Although many students find it easy to mock the nature of these efforts and their slogans, we all need to appreciate what it means to be a part of this community, and the significance of this 87 Days Campaign should find positive support.  The deeper meaning of these campaigns and slogans should be appreciated if only for the reason that the school is leading by example. Gettysburg College is making every effort to improve itself to be “Gettysburg Great”.

Well, guess what, students? It’s your turn.

How will you use your first 87 Days?