Gettysburg College Programs

The Eisenhower Institute and Gettysburg College have long enjoyed a close affiliation. Our goal is to develop the non-partisan Eisenhower Institute as a premier organization for research, dialogue, and outreach in issues of leadership and public policy, while also being recognized as sponsoring one of the nation's strongest undergraduate programs in public policy. 

Henry M. Scharf Memorial Lecture on Current Affairs 

Dr. F. William Sunderman, a member of the class of 1919, established the Henry M. Scharf Memorial Lecture on Current Affairs in 1977 to honor his long-time friend Henry Scharf. Scharf, a member of Gettysburg College's Class of 1925, was the builder of the Majestic Theater - a venue the Eisenhowers frequented while in Gettysburg. Within the broad focus of "current events," the annual lectures have provided a podium for many distinguished speakers. In 2006, Susan Eisenhower spoke before the screening of the documentary film Why We Fight. The 2007 Scharf Lecture was given by former Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, now President of the U.S.-China Education Trust.  

The Seiden/Levy Public Policy Seminar 

I. W. Foundation has provided an endowment to support an annual seminar in public policy. Offered through the department of political science and coordinated by Professor Ken Mott, the Seiden/Levy Public Policy Seminar is designed to provide a team-taught, issue-oriented, advanced undergraduate seminar, often matching a leader in public policy or media with a Gettysburg faculty member as co-instructors. Occasionally, the seminar has incorporated international travel as part of the experience. 

Public Policy Education 

A proposal for the development of a curriculum in public policy is currently under consideration at Gettysburg College. At the moment, the Seiden/Levy Public Policy Seminar (offered annually and sponsored through independent studies) is the credit-bearing course sponsored by the Eisenhower Institute.  

The Eisenhower Institute sponsors student research projects related to public policy and the history of the Eisenhower era. Students who are engaged in significant projects or theses on these topics may apply for financial support. The Institute may select final papers to be published in its History Series or Public Policy Series.