Sarah Grassel: Service

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Grassel and I’m a Biology major with a Spanish minor. I’m from Corvallis, Oregon, and have lived my whole life in the Pacific Northwest. Because of this, I’ve developed a love of the outdoors, especially of hiking, biking, and paddle boarding (and also coffee of course). I love to go on walks, especially on the beach, and like to read, bake, play piano, swim, and spend time with friends and family. At Gonzaga, I’m involved in campus ministry and work as a tutor in math and chemistry, and, of course, I am a Seton.

Coming to Gonzaga, I knew I wanted to find a community that valued service and connection. Service has always been an important part of my life. Through volunteering, I’ve gotten to meet so many people from different walks of life while working on various projects. I believe serving others is essential to living a flourishing life. It’s an act of love and humility, recognizing the gifts one has received and working for and with others in gratitude. Becoming a Seton was one of the best choices I’ve made during my time here, because it has allowed me to get to know some incredible people and feel more rooted in the Spokane community. This fall, I spent my Tuesday afternoons at the Isaac Foundation, and got to hang out with some incredible kids. I enjoyed getting to know them all, as well as my fellow sisters, and we always came home with a funny comment or story to share. These couple hours each week made such a difference in my semester, giving me purpose, connection, and a much needed break from the fast pace of school. It’s so easy to stay on campus and never get to know the community that supports GU, but volunteering is an amazing way to expand your community and connect with the place and people that surround you.