Virginia Turpin
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown/Where You Call Home
Birmingham, AL
Major
Sociology
How did you hear about Covenant and why did you choose Covenant?
I was in public school growing up, and I really enjoyed it, but I knew that I wanted to pursue a college degree at an institution that would help me grow in my faith, not away from it. I knew that at Covenant I would learn about my discipline through a biblical lens.
What aspect of Covenant do you like best?
I love that everything at Covenant ties back to Christ. Even my ceramics class! I've heard Isaiah 64:8 my whole life, ("But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand") but it wasn't until after taking this class that I learned how stubborn and difficult clay can be when I'm trying to center it. It's a humbling reminder of the condition of my rebellious heart when the Holy Spirit is working in my life.
What about the professors and/or academics has impacted you the most?
I think when my professors begin class by praying it sets the right tone for why we are there in the classroom - to learn about God's kingdom and how we can be light.
What part of your major do you most enjoy or feel most prepared by?
I love how Sociology enlightens me to the lived experiences of people who are different from me. It gives me a broader paradigm for seeing life and opening my eyes to the hard things that exist in society.
What do you hope to pursue after Covenant and how do you see Covenant supporting your future career or calling?
I hope to go to graduate school and get a Master's in Social Work. I hope to be a social worker, or be a case manager of some sorts. I'm pretty flexible in terms of what I'll do!
How is Covenant equipping you for active membership in the church or discipleship within the body of Christ?
They encourage me to regularly get involved in a Church, and intentionally don't have a church on campus so that students can be immersed outside of the Covenant community.
In what ways does Covenant foster spiritual formation that stands out to you?
I think regular Chapel, hall Bible studies, and committed professors are really key to the ways that Covenant fosters the students spiritually. As I said earlier, everything here is done with the focus of Christ as preeminent. Being regularly and consistently exposed to the Gospel and worship has been a catalyst for my spiritual formation here.
How has the Covenant community supported your development as a whole person?
One of the things that I am most grateful for here at Covenant is the Counseling service at Priesthill. Being able to schedule an appointment and receive helpful resources has helped me to grow a lot mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This service helps me to feel seen because we are not just souls, we have bodies and minds that need to cared for as well.
How have your relationships at Covenant shaped your expectations for the other communities God will call you to in life?
The warm and hospitable environment of Covenant has shown me how hospitality can make such a difference in a person's experience.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Covenant?
I think snow days with my friends have created some of my favorite memories at Covenant! We would go outside and explore the snow for a while, then come back inside and either do homework or watch a movie in our warm rooms.