Bethany Brun
Early-day historians in Erie, Pa., referred to Mercyhurst College as “the college atop a wooded hill.”
Standing tall on that hill today is Chaminade Julienne graduate Bethany Brun, who has continued to write a collegiate success story by earning a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship nomination.
The 22-year-old senior, who could be headed for Oxford University in London in 2011, wound up at Mercyhurst on a rowing scholarship and starred last spring as Mercyhurst won the NCAA D-II rowing eights championship at Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif.
Brun, named the Lakers’ “Best Rookie” as a freshman rower, has been working for a year on the Rhodes nomination bid, writing essays and compiling leadership honors.
She also received character and academic references from professors and coaches at Mercyhurst. The school normally selects two students for the nomination, but named only one this year.
Brun, a sociology and religious major who is also pursuing a minor in marriage and family studies, carries a 3.937 GPA.
The daughter of Randy and Peggy Brun, formerly of Huber Heights and current residents of Beavercreek, also is the product of an ambitious sports family, starting with Mom, who was a volleyball standout and drill team member at Carroll. Dad participated in multiple sports at Carroll.
Her brother, David Brun, 20, was a volleyballer at Carroll and is a junior visual communications major at the University of Dayton. Her sisters are Emily, a senior high jumper at Beavercreek; and Michelle, an eighth-grade soccer stalwart at Ascension School in Kettering.
Completing the Brun roster are John Luke, 10, Kevin, 7, and Samuel, 3.
“I’m very proud of the family support I have been fortunate to have through my college years,” said Bethany Brun. “The Rhodes Scholarship provides two to three years of graduate study at Oxford ... so I have my fingers crossed.”
Contact this writer at (937) 236-6032; mickeyz@zooomtown.com.
About the Author