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Susan Church Zibell \u201997 grew up in Hartford County, but she didn\u2019t discover Trinity College until her junior year of high school. She had already built her life around sports, competing in soccer, gymnastics, and softball. A standout shortstop, she caught the attention of Trinity softball coach Richard Ellis, who urged her to visit campus. \u201cI fell in love immediately with the beauty of the Long Walk and all that Trinity has to offer,\u201d Zibell recalls.<\/p>\n
She arrived planning to play only softball but soon walked on to the soccer team. Upper-year teammates showed her it was possible to balance multiple sports with academics and other activities. \u201cThey were so encouraging,\u201d Zibell says. \u201cEvery experience gave me opportunities to reflect and grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Softball, though, remained her anchor. She spent all four years on the team, serving as captain for two. Ellis became a defining mentor. \u201cHe taught me how to take lessons from the classroom, the field, and life, and to make sure I followed a lifelong learning process,\u201d Zibell says. Ellis left Trinity before she graduated, but during her senior year, Zibell received an award created in his honor. \u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful way to stay connected to his legacy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
After arriving with no clear major, Zibell immersed herself in Trinity\u2019s liberal arts curriculum. She gravitated toward humanities courses that were cross listed with religion and ultimately chose religion as her field of study.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe professors were amazing,\u201d she says. \u201cThey had that balance of being scholars, researchers, and published authors, as well as encouraging the journey of continuing to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professors including Ellison Findly, John Gettier, and Frank Kirkpatrick sharpened her critical-thinking skills and broadened her world view, and she cultivated an appreciation for interdisciplinary studies.<\/p>\n
Zibell spent the fall of her junior year in Austria. Energized by the challenge of learning a new language and culture, she found it an ideal setting to apply Trinity\u2019s lessons in empathy and perspective. \u201cI was able to look at global systems and social issues that were complex and changing,\u201d she says. \u201cThat ability to gain confidence and independence while becoming adaptable and self-reliant was incredibly transformative.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zibell knew she wanted a career shaping people\u2019s lives. She coached at a local YMCA before earning a master\u2019s in education. For more than 25 years, she has worked in Connecticut public schools, teaching elementary and middle school and serving in various leadership roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a teacher, I love connecting people and ideas and opportunities,\u201d Zibell says. \u201cGiving students a chance to dream, ask questions, and think bigger than they ever thought possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
That drive to connect kept her close to Trinity. After graduating, she volunteered as a class agent and then joined the Trinity Club of Hartford (TCOH) in the mid-2000s, relishing chances to link alumni with the College, the city, and one another.<\/p>\n
For the past two years, Zibell has served as president of the TCOH, having held previous roles as vice president and secretary. Whether hosting events about current programs at the College or sponsoring outings such as a night at the Hartford Yard Goats, she values every chance to bring Bantams together.<\/p>\n
\u201cSue leads not just with dedication but genuine care for every member,\u201d says past TCOH president Francesca Borges Gordon \u201982. \u201cHer commitment to fostering meaningful relationships, promoting alumni engagement, and advancing the mission of TCOH has left a lasting impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the Trinity College Alumni Association, Zibell is excited for yet another way to stay involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt goes back to being grateful that Trinity provided me with opportunities and paths I didn\u2019t know existed,\u201d Zibell says. \u201cKnowing I\u2019m contributing something small and collectively we\u2019re working to create something enriching for future generations\u2014that\u2019s why I continue to do what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014By Eliott Grover <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Susan Church Zibell \u201997 grew up in Hartford County, but she didn\u2019t discover Trinity College until her junior year of high school. She had already built her life around sports, competing in soccer, gymnastics, and softball. A standout shortstop, she caught the attention of Trinity softball coach Richard Ellis, who urged her to visit campus. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":0,"parent":5511,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5705","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u2014Illustration by Kathryn Rathke<\/em><\/p>\n