Gretchen Geyer ’15
Back in high school, social work major Gretchen Geyer knew she wanted to attend a small, liberal arts school with an emphasis on social justice. For her, Goshen College was the perfect fit.
Why did you choose Goshen College?
I knew Goshen was small enough that I would be able to be involved in many activities on campus, but large enough that I could interact with students whom I hadn’t met before. I chose Goshen because our core values, especially compassionate peacemaking and servant leadership, are qualities that I would like to seek out for the rest of my life.
What do you appreciate about Goshen?
One of my favorite parts of Goshen College is the strong professor and student relationship. I know that they all want what is best for me. They push me academically but I also know they are available if I need someone to talk to about real life situations.
What was your favorite class?
My favorite course at Goshen College so far was Human Stories: Utopian Thought (a first-year core class) taught by John D. Roth. We discussed many different intentional communities and created our own utopian society for our final project. The transition from high school to college can sometimes be difficult and scary, but this class made the transition much smoother.
What do you hope to do with your degree?
One hope of mine is to volunteer with the Mennonite Economic Development Association. I would be able to work one-on-one with many different people, creating relationships and sharing my knowledge on sustainable living and economic development. My second dream would be to own a bakery and provide jobs, as well as support, for those in my community who are unable to find work.
What makes Goshen different?
Goshen College’s cross culture experience is very different from any other college or university that I know. Instead of ‘experiencing’ the culture by visiting many tourist destinations, Goshen’s study abroad program allows us to experience a completely different life than we are used to, being molded by the people around us.