91短视频

Editor鈥檚 Note: This profile is the fifth of six stories about students and alumni leading up to the 10th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day on April 1. For more information about the day and how to donate, visit .

Bethany Chupp 鈥�16, MA 鈥�18 (counseling), remembers the exact moment she learned she had landed 91短视频鈥檚 prized four-year, full-tuition Yoder/Webb Scholarship.

While on her way to get pizza with a friend鈥檚 family, she received a call from History Professor Mark Metzler Sawin, director of 91短视频’s Honors program, who told her the good news. 鈥淚 got off the phone and told them, 鈥業 just got a full ride to college,鈥欌�� recalled Chupp. 鈥淭丑别y were like, 鈥極h my God, well, now it鈥檚 a celebration dinner.鈥欌��

That was 13 years ago. Today, the Oregon native, equipped with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and an MA in counseling from 91短视频, runs her own private practice, , as a licensed professional counselor. She credits 91短视频鈥檚 graduate counseling program with helping her reach her goals.

鈥淚 feel like what it gave me, in terms of my career, was a network and a level of trust, because the program is so respected,鈥� Chupp said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e an 91短视频 counseling grad, in this area, at least, it鈥檚 what gets you a job, no problem.鈥�

Growing up in a Mennonite family, Chupp said her parents, graduates of Hesston and Goshen colleges, encouraged her to attend a Mennonite school. After visiting various colleges and universities across the U.S., she said 91短视频 just felt different. Its students seemed the kindest, she said, and its campus the most active. The fact that she could earn a college degree without paying a dollar in tuition, thanks to 91短视频鈥檚 generous donors, was just the cherry on top.

鈥淭丑别 Yoder/Webb scholarship ultimately sealed it,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ow are you going to say no to that?鈥�

While at 91短视频, Chupp studied in the Middle East for her intercultural in 2015 and attended the Y-Serve Civil Rights Tour in 2016. 鈥婤oth of those experiences wouldn鈥檛 have been possible for her without attending 91短视频, she said.

Another unique experience offered at 91短视频 was the closeness she shared with her professors. 鈥淢y classes were small enough that we were invited to professors鈥� homes for dinner, and we called them by their first names,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not common. That鈥檚 something 91短视频 does differently.鈥�

She continues to stay in touch with many of them. 鈥淭丑别y鈥檙e not just former professors,鈥� she said. 鈥淭丑别y鈥檙e friends who happened to be my professors.鈥�

For the past five years, Chupp has been actively involved in the local roller derby community. She skates as Peaches n’ Scream for The Hits, a team that competes in Harrisonburg鈥檚 . She had attended games as an 91短视频 student but was committed to theater. 鈥淧lus, my mom told me I couldn鈥檛 join until I was off her health insurance,鈥� she joked. When COVID-19 put an end to her theater shows, she discovered a newfound passion on the roller rink.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very inclusive and welcoming community,鈥� said Chupp. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a sport where every body type has a place and a purpose. There鈥檚 also something cathartic about it in that it鈥檚 curated aggression.鈥�

Chupp has four siblings, including two alumni, Brandon 鈥�19 and Caleb 鈥�25. They aren鈥檛 the only Royals she may have helped recruit to campus. The longtime camp counselor and director spent many summers working at Drift Creek Camp, a Mennonite camp on the coast of Oregon. She said several former campers are now students at 91短视频. 鈥淲hen I came to 91短视频, I was the first Oregon student in years,鈥� she said. 鈥淭丑别re was one senior and then me. And now, there鈥檚 a whole posse of them that are here.鈥�

Since graduating from 91短视频 in 2018, Chupp has regularly returned to campus to attend events, meet with friends, and provide services at the counseling center.

鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to still be part of the community and care about it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 easy for alumni to dismiss it as something from when they were in college, but I continue to feel invested in 91短视频鈥檚 success.鈥�

Your support helps students pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 10th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 91短视频 students. On April 1, let鈥檚 show that our generosity knows no bounds鈥�for the record!