Tripp York
Class of 1998


From pursuit . . . to performance 


“When I arrived at Trevecca, I knew that I wanted to pursue two passions: theatre and theology. Little did I know that many faculty members at Trevecca would serve as catalysts for that pursuit. I had the good fortune to learn from professors who actually befriended a rather high-strung and oftentimes easily confused young man. They were able to share knowledge while also addressing the complaint of J.D. Salinger’s infamous ‘Zooey’ by offering wisdom in a world predicated on efficiency and cold calculation.   

“Because of their countercultural pedagogical styles, Trevecca’s faculty prepared me well for life after college, enabling me to spend the last ten years working jobs directly related to both of my majors: dramatic arts and religious studies. Immediately following graduation I procured a job as an assistant technical director at the Paramount Theatre in Burlington, N.C., (a position I still maintain) while I pursued both a master’s and a doctorate  in Christian theology/ethics. Upon completion of my Ph.D., I joined the faculty of the religion department at Elon University, in Elon, N.C., and I continue performing on stage.


“When I think about how privileged I am to be able to work in these areas, I come back to the training and formation I received during my all too brief time at Trevecca. I remain indebted to those faculty and staff members who enabled me to pursue a life in which my work is not so much work as it is an ongoing fulfillment of a particular calling.


In addition to his teaching and performing, Tripp is also a published writer whose writings have appeared in various journals and magazines, and his books include The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom as well as his first work of fiction, a novella, entitled Anesthesia.

 

Empowering Students to Make the Leap

Trevecca is committed to empowering students to make the leap. Those leaps are as unique as the persons who make them, but all leaps involve growth or change in the life of a student. Some of those leap stories are presented here, and more stories will be added.
Do you have a "leap" story? If you do, Trevecca wants to have your story. Please send your story to myleap@trevecca.edu.