A Student Story: Theresa Bettmann
After being in the work force, Theresa Bettmann, became “hooked” on her course work at Missouri State leading her to follow her passion for learning and continue to pursue her education. Currently, Bettmann is a master’s student in the Social Work program at Missouri State.
Early on, Bettmann did not follow the traditional student route. Her academic minded father, Reverend John Bettmann, allowed his children to have that time for exploration.
Bettmann said of her father, “He knew I would catch the bug and get bored without an education.”
Reverend Bettmann was right. After working full-time, she started taking a few courses here and there to get her general education completed. Bettmann found herself enjoying courses she never would have right out of high school.
While pursuing her degrees, Bettmann has relied on student loans and scholarships to pay for her education. One scholarship in particular, the Al and Margaret Hemphill Scholarship, got Bettmann thinking about giving through scholarships.
After an impactful semester in class with Dr. Lorene Stone, the professor that started the Hemphill Scholarship, Bettmann knew just how she wanted to honor and memorialize her father’s sudden passing.
“My father should have been a professor. He was always devouring books. He was a lifelong learner,” said Bettmann.
Choosing to start the Reverend John Bettmann Memorial Scholarship at Missouri State just made sense to Bettmann. She has made a lifelong career out of being at Missouri State University and in Springfield.
“I value hard work and perusing an education,” said Bettmann. “I got that from my father.”
With this award, Bettmann knows she can bring her and her father’s passions together and make a difference for other Missouri State students in the future.
Make a contribution to the Reverend John Bettmann Memorial Scholarship.
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