Despite Elizabethtown College being a small school compared to most of the colleges in the area, it is nearly impossible to know all of the students on campus. Each one of them has their own unique story on how they came to attend Etown, and it is important to know that each has value. One such example is the tale of sophomore Gunner Gehr.
Gehr is from the small town of New Holland, Pa., which is approximately 40 minutes away from Etown. He tries to get home every so often so that he can see his family which consists of his two siblings. Unlike many students who loathe going home, Gehr loves it. He spends his time in the fall seasons hunting and going to the high school’s football games and in the spring seasons, hanging out with his friends.
“I’m actually planning on commuting next year,” Gehr said.
First-floor Schlosser residents might recognize Gehr as one of their Resident Assistants (RAs). One of his jobs as an RA is to plan four floor events per semester. Two are take events where residents come and grab a snack or some gift that the RA has provided. The other two are make events where residents get to express their creative side.
“Last semester, we did a building event around Halloween time for door decorating contests,” Gehr said. “That one was pretty fun.”
Gehr is a finance major at the College, and he plans on becoming a financial advisor after he graduates. Despite only being a sophomore, Gehr is already taking steps towards his future career. This semester, he has an internship with Northwestern Mutual, a financial services company.
“If it all works out, and I’m good at it, that’s probably what I’ll end up doing,” Gehr said.
One of Gehr’s favorite classes that is not a major related class: Spanish. He has been spending a lot of his time trying to learn the language because of his interest and because of a special someone in his life.
“My fiance’s family all speaks Spanish, so I’m trying to learn it,” Gehr said.
Besides being an RA, Gehr has found other ways to get involved on campus, like joining the wrestling team. Right now, the team is in their off-season, so they are planning and building up for the next season.
“I’ve been wrestling since I was little,” Gehr said. “My dad was a wrestler.”
When Gehr is on campus, probably due to his wrestling hobby, he likes to exercise. Although he frequents the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being often for their state of the art facilities, Gehr also finds himself spending a lot of time in Thompson Gymnasium. He enjoys it there because usually it is just him, and it is peaceful.
“I spend a lot of my free time working out. It’s just something I like doing,” Gehr said.
When it comes to spending time in front of the screen, Gehr has a go-to television show and movie. His new favorite show is “The Walking Dead,” even though he is only on season five of the hit AMC show. Gehr’s favorite movie, on the other hand, is the 2000 film “Gladiator” directed by Ridley Scott.
“I watched that movie when I was young, probably too young to watch that movie,” Gehr said, “and it just fascinated me.”
Good luck to Gehr as he finishes out his internship and with his job as an RA!
