西比尔·范德·托普
毕业一年
2025
故乡/你称之为家的地方
艾顿、锰
主要
商业/金融
你是怎么听说威尼斯人平台的？为什么选择威尼斯人平台？
我选择圣约是因为我想体验这个国家不同的地方！ I grew up in a small farming community in southwest Minnesota, where my graduating class had just 32 students. I was eager to meet new people and explore new places beyond the prairie and long, harsh winters of the Midwest. When I visited Covenant during my senior year of high school, I was blown away by the beauty of the area as I drove up the mountain. It was a foggy day when I arrived, but as the sky cleared, I was in awe of the charming stone buildings and the stunning presence of Carter Hall. The campus felt both breathtaking and welcoming, and I knew this was where I wanted to be.
你最喜欢圣约的哪一方面？
《圣约》中我最喜欢的部分是我所建立的友谊！ I’ve had the chance to meet many different people and grow close to those with interests I never expected to connect with, simply because they’re different from my own. These friends have shared their passions with me, and I’ve come to enjoy them as well. In many ways, this has opened my eyes to God’s goodness in areas I wasn’t exposed to growing up.
教授和/或学者对你影响最大的是什么？
The professors at Covenant create a learning environment where it's safe to ask difficult questions. This is especially true in our Bible classes, where they guide us through wrestling with complex topics. Even when something feels challenging or uncertain, our professors walk alongside us, encouraging us to think deeply and critically. Their commitment to open discussion stems from a desire to equip students with a strong foundation and help them develop a thoughtful, well-grounded understanding of what they believe. Covenant’s professors genuinely care about their students’ success and are always available to grab lunch, schedule meetings, or provide support in both academic and personal development.
你最喜欢你专业的哪一部分，或者觉得你准备得最充分？
The business major at Covenant provides a well-rounded education by exposing students to various aspects of the field. Although my concentration is in finance, I have taken courses in accounting, marketing, economics, and human resources. This diverse background has given me confidence as I prepare to enter the workforce. Beyond the classroom, I secured two internships with the support of Covenant’s career development office, the Center for Calling and Career. One was in compliance at a bank and the other was at an insurance company. The business world offers countless career paths, so gaining exposure to different areas is essential. Covenant excels at providing this broad foundation through coursework while also helping students secure internships that offer valuable hands-on experience.
What do you hope to pursue after Covenant and how do you see Covenant supporting your future career or calling?
我希望从事金融服务或人力资源方面的工作。 The professors in the business department consistently show their support through job recommendations and valuable networking connections. As for my classmates, I know they want the best for me, and I hope they know I am always cheering them on!
How is Covenant equipping you for active membership in the church or discipleship within the body of Christ?
I believe that Covenant has equipped me for active membership in the church by fostering critical thinking and encouraging thoughtful questions - questions that we can bring to God because He is big enough to handle them. The church is facing tough issues today, and being able to approach these difficult matters with biblical knowledge, even when uncomfortable, is incredibly valuable in today’s world.
《圣约》在哪些方面促进了你的属灵培育？
Looking back over the last four years, I see that Covenant’s core curriculum has really shaped me. I genuinely enjoyed my Old and New Testament classes, as well as Doctrine I and II. Though there were the occasional stressful tests and papers, I often found myself excited to attend class and deepen my understanding of God's word from a theological perspective. Some of my favorite moments came from the conversations after class, where I would leave still reflecting on what we’d discussed. Covenant also fosters spiritual growth through chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There have been many great conversations sparked in that space, and it’s been a meaningful part of my time here. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes that "the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance." Looking back, I can see that my spiritual formation at Covenant wasn’t shaped by one big moment, but by the small, consistent things” like going to class every day, engaging in chapel discussions, and being part of an encouraging community. These little things have truly made a big impact on me.
圣约社区是如何支持你成长为一个完整的人的？
While it may seem like a bold claim, I am confident that there is true support in every aspect of your experience here! It may take some time to adjust, but there are plenty of people who are both willing and able to support you in whatever way you need. Whether it’s a professor, friend, counselor, coach, or someone in student development, Covenant is full of individuals eager to help you succeed.
How have your relationships at Covenant shaped your expectations for the other communities God will call you to in life?
Covenant has shown me that I have something unique to offer to the communities I’ll be a part of in the future. I appreciate the size of Covenant because it allows each person to focus on developing and flourishing in their specific gifts, and to bring those gifts to the table. As I move forward into whatever community I join next, I’m confident that I’ll be able to contribute in meaningful ways, just as I’ve been encouraged to do here on the mountain.
你在圣威尼斯人平台最美好的记忆是什么？
我在威尼斯人平台最美好的回忆来自于与我的宿舍和室友一起度过的时光。 我很喜欢校园里没有专为低年级学生建造的建筑。 Having halls that integrate freshmen through seniors has created such a unique and close-knit community, one that I don’t think can be found anywhere else. As an underclassman, being mentored by students who already had a strong sense of what was going on was such a blessing. On the other hand, as an upperclassman, it’s been incredibly rewarding to help new students with anything they might need. 我所在的大厅叫做哈玛拉贝！, a Swahili word meaning "sisters bound together in unity," and I will forever look back on my experience there with such sweet memories!