Cybil Vander Top
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown/Where You Call Home
Edgerton, MN
Major
Business/Finance
How did you hear about Covenant and why did you choose Covenant?
I chose Covenant because I wanted to experience a different part of the country! 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.
What aspect of Covenant do you like best?
My favorite part of Covenant has been the friendships I鈥檝e formed! I鈥檝e had the chance to meet many different people and grow close to those with interests I never expected to connect with, simply because they鈥檙e different from my own. These friends have shared their passions with me, and I鈥檝e come to enjoy them as well. In many ways, this has opened my eyes to God鈥檚 goodness in areas I wasn鈥檛 exposed to growing up.
What about the professors and/or academics has impacted you the most?
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鈥檚 professors genuinely care about their students鈥� success and are always available to grab lunch, schedule meetings, or provide support in both academic and personal development.
What part of your major do you most enjoy or feel most prepared by?
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鈥檚 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?
I hope to pursue a career in either financial services or human resources. 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鈥檚 world.
In what ways does Covenant foster spiritual formation that stands out to you?
Looking back over the last four years, I see that Covenant鈥檚 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鈥檇 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鈥檚 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鈥檛 shaped by one big moment, but by the small, consistent things鈥� 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.
How has the Covenant community supported your development as a whole person?
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鈥檚 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鈥檒l 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鈥檓 confident that I鈥檒l be able to contribute in meaningful ways, just as I鈥檝e been encouraged to do here on the mountain.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Covenant?
My favorite memories at Covenant come from the time spent with my hall and suitemates. I鈥檝e loved that no building on campus is strictly for underclassmen. Having halls that integrate freshmen through seniors has created such a unique and close-knit community, one that I don鈥檛 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鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to help new students with anything they might need. The hall I was part of was called Hamarabe!, a Swahili word meaning "sisters bound together in unity," and I will forever look back on my experience there with such sweet memories!