Rebekah Tripp
- Rice Lake, Wis.
- Social work major, Spanish minor
- Future plans: I have a passion for people, culture, traveling, adventure and Jesus. I hope to be able to incorporate all of these in whatever I do. My thoughts have ranged from the Peace Corps to working with at-risk adolescents on the East Coast.
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
Deciding on a major did not come quickly for Rebekah Tripp.
“I was an undecided major for two years and finally took two personality tests that helped me see areas that might be a nice fit for me,” she said. “Part of my trouble in deciding an educational path was the many interests that I have. Social work appealed to me because of its variety and expansiveness. I also love working with people, and social work is all about people.”’
A population in which Tripp has developed a particular interest are at-risk youth. During most of her time at UW-Eau Claire she worked at the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley. She also worked one summer as a tutor and mentor for UW-Eau Claire’s Upward Bound program for area high school students, and she spent two summers as a camp counselor in New York.
“Through these interactions I have seen the profound potential of youth and impressionability,” she said. “I enjoy their spunk and passion. I also think that at this critical stage in their life they need good role models and people to influence them positively.”
Tripp rounded out her time on campus through involvement in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship student organization, through which she “met a lot of wonderful people, formed great relationships and really grew in my faith and as a person.” She also participated in intramural sports, which she credits with being an outlet for exercise as well as social activity.
But time on campus was a bit shorter for Tripp than for the average university student. She was drawn to UW-Eau Claire’s study-abroad opportunities, so much so that she spent six weeks in Scotland and a semester in Costa Rica/Nicaragua, followed by her social work internship in South Africa during her final semester.
During her times abroad, she learned much about people, their cultures, the world — and herself, Tripp said.
“I grew to love diversity and miss it when it's gone,” she said. “I learned that life tends to be a lot more gray than black and white. I think I have learned how to be a better person. The more that I see and learn about people and this world, the more urgency I feel to help make it better, to make life better for people. It has helped me know what is truly of value in life and that those things are worth fighting for.”
More on Rebekah Tripp
A UW-Eau Claire person, class or project that made a positive difference in her life: There are several professors and classes that have made positive impacts on my life, but there is one professor and class that I am continually grateful for. I was three semesters into the social work program when I had a class on generalist social work with Dr. Gloria Fennell. At this point in my social work education I was admittedly frustrated but committed to completing my degree. This class taught me about other people and myself in ways I had not anticipated. It challenged me to think and reach deeper than I had before. The impact this class had on me hinged significantly on Dr. Fennell. She not only taught with a unique combination of intelligence, professionalism, practicality, compassion and insight, but she inspired me to be the best that I could be. She made me want to be great at whatever I did because she believed that I could. Naturally the class ended, yet Dr. Fennell has continued to make an impact on my life. No question seems too trivial and her door seems to always be open. This is a professor who genuinely cares about her students and her commitment to the profession. She has been an incredible asset to the social work department and to me personally.
Highlights of her life at UW-Eau Claire: Perhaps to my discredit, I have never been particularly fond of school, which could be why I was immediately interested in the extensive study-abroad programs UW-Eau Claire has to offer. Although I never anticipated studying abroad quite so frequently, I had the opportunity to spend a summer in Scotland and a semester in Costa Rica/Nicaragua, and I recently completed my semesterlong internship in South Africa. For me, studying abroad has been my greatest teacher throughout college. What I have learned during my times in other countries are things that could never have been replicated in any classroom. I cherish my experiences abroad and the extraordinary people I have had the privilege of meeting. I am deeply grateful and blessed to have been able to participate in so many wonderful and life-forming experiences.
How she defines the UW-Eau Claire Advantage: To me the UW-Eau Claire Advantage represents opportunities. There are many ways for students to be actively engaged and supported by excellent faculty. A student needs to take the initiative, but this is a decision that reaps many benefits.
Advice for success to incoming UW-Eau Claire students: Be intentional, purposeful and balanced. There are many fun and exciting things at UW-Eau Claire to participate in and enjoy. Take advantage of these but also remember that there comes a time when you need to hit the books and take your education seriously. So make friends, have fun, take good risks, study hard and earn your degree.
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