For the love of animals and the theater
Pursuit of passions helps student find community
“Isn’t that what college is truly about--
finding your community and discovering what you’re passionate about?”
For as long as she can remember, Renee Bippus, a rising sophomore in animal sciences with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration, has had two great loves: animals and theater.
“Since elementary school, I have known that veterinary medicine was for me. It was the thing I was most passionate about. But theater has always been a close second.”
Finding a way to pursue both interests during her time in college was paramount in Bippus’ decision to attend Purdue University.
Bippus knew that a career in veterinarian medicine, with a focus on companion pets, was her dream job. She was drawn to Purdue because of its veterinary program, “I loved the small, intimate size of the program and the hands-on learning opportunities available to students.”
She also knew that she wanted theater to remain a lifelong hobby, “I wanted a university where I could grow and thrive in both passions and Purdue offered opportunities for that.”
Bippus says she grew “in more ways than one, ”during her first year at Purdue. There were times when she admitted to feeling overwhelmed. “Coming from a small town it was daunting at first to be at such a large university with a rigorous schedule, but the communities I found had my back and supported me. That really kept me going and helped me feel part of something bigger than myself,” she said.
As she works at an internship this summer in a veterinary office in her home town, Bippus is looking forward to her second year at Purdue. She is excited to return to the communities with which she feels so connected. “It’s the people I have gotten to work with and know that have made it worthwhile.”
Meet Renee Bippus
Hometown: Mount Vernon, Indiana
College: College of Agriculture
Major: Pre-Veterinary medicine in the Animal Sciences department
Notable Accomplishments: Purdue Veterinary Scholar
Fun Facts:
- Bippus' love for theater began in the fourth grade when she performed in her first show, “The Little Mermaid.”
- Bippus also joined the Farrowing Club at Purdue her freshman year and became certified.
- Bippus plans to be a veterinarian with a focus on companion pets, specifically dogs and cats.
Bippus appeared in the following shows at Purdue University in 2022-2023:
- “Twelfth Night Goeth Awry”
- “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”
- “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play"
- “Shakespeare in Love”
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