Elaina Reuther, '20

B.S.W. in Social Work, Minor in Psychology

How big of a role did the affordability of Grove City College play in your college decision-making process?
Having two other siblings attend college influenced my decision based on the ones they attended and their considerations when looking at colleges. Each member of my family values a quality education with reasonable tuition. For many students, debt is a reality they face each year as they start another semester at their university and that is something my parents advised against when choosing a school. I am very blessed to have the ability to attend Grove City College without any debt. I’m assisted by my parents to pay tuition, but the tuition was an important part of why I chose Grove City College.  

How has your faith been strengthened and perhaps even challenged during your time here?  
Entering a new stage of life brought challenges and opportunities in my walk with Christ. Grove City College provided many avenues to personally choose to pursue my faith, to make it my own through finding a new church, providing ways to get involved in ministries, Bible studies, and chapels. I was made aware of the freedom I had to either pursue or put aside Christianity at Grove City College - I could make it my own. Having a culture and atmosphere where students can come together openly and discuss their faith has helped immensely in growing my faith. 

How would you describe the level of academics you have experienced at Grove City College? 
Grove City College is thorough in how they challenge and form students. The College takes to heart the rigorous aspect of education to help students become the best they can be in their future fields. The classes I have experienced are extensive in the requirements but beneficial because of how inclusive and detailed the courses are in their assignments, discussions, lectures, and learning activities. I have found that it takes dedication, time, and intentionality to succeed at Grove City College, but it is not impossible. The choice lies in the students and how they want to create and form their educational experience.  

What is the nature of the relationship between students and professors? 
Arriving at Grove City College, one of my fears was the relationship with faculty members, specifically those who would be in my major. However, the fear disappeared once classes started, and I took a step of out of my comfort zone and visited my advisor’s office. The faculty are intentional with how they engage with their students. I feel very welcomed, acknowledged, and heard by the faculty at Grove City College; they genuinely want to know and relate to the student body.  

What is your favorite aspect of Grove City College? 
There is a big emphasis on involvement and on-campus activities. This really fosters community and engagement from various groups of students. My favorite part is that, because of the availability of activities, I have been able to interact and build relationships with students whom I would not normally interact. The campus-wide activities and specific groups and clubs are one of part of Grove City College campus life that I love.

What are some of the things you do during your free time either on or off campus? 
During my time on campus, when I am not studying or attending classes, I enjoy attending IMPACT Outdoor Leadership Program, Polk Outreach Ministries, Outing Club, and sporting events. I also am involved with the women’s rugby team. When I am off campus, I love any outdoor activity: hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, etc. I love that Grove City College has become an extension of the activities I enjoy doing off campus.  

What opportunities did you find at Grove City College to explore your interest in social work outside of the classroom?
The campus ministries have been a great opportunity to experience different populations that I may be interested in working with once I graduate. Polk Outreach provided an awesome experience to build relationships with residents who have different disabilities at a facility. New Life gave me the chance to interact and invest in juvenile youth.  

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