Marybeth Bridegam '57

Growing up in a small town, Marybeth Bridegam '57 felt that her "life completely changed at Oberlin." The college helped to instill in her a greater appreciation for education and culture, and Marybeth soon focused her studies on music. The skills she developed became the foundation for her careers as a teacher, a musician, and the director of a travel company specializing in immersive cultural experiences.

As a scholarship recipient, Marybeth knows first-hand how transformative scholarships can be. She established a named endowed fund that provides support to first-generation students. Deferred gifts via her charitable remainder trust and estate will provide additional support for the endowed fund. These gifts were made through close collaboration with Oberlin's fundraising team, which assisted Marybeth in achieving both her charitable and financial goals.

Marybeth has been a dedicated alumni volunteer, serving as a regional coordinator for the Oberlin Alumni Association, promoting the Oberlin Annual Fund, and working on Alumni Leadership Council committees. She is deeply proud of her many ongoing connections to Oberlin, which provided her with experiences that transformed her life and career.