Rhegan H. Hyypio, Arts '01
Young Alumna of the Year AwardDepartment of Intercollegiate Athletics
Young Alumna of the Year Award
Rhegan H. Hyypio, Arts '01
Rhegan Hyypio has done more in her short career than many do in a lifetime. Since graduating, she has done missionary work through Franciscan Mission Service; taught catechism, adult literacy, reading and creative writing to children on a small farm in Brazil; and worked with orphans and other disadvantaged youth in Bolivia. In America, she has volunteered at nursing homes and a homeless shelter, protested abortion, and promoted comprehensive immigration reform. This exhaustive desire to serve began while at Marquette, where she participated in service learning and was a student coordinator, worked at shelters for runaway teens and battered women, and helped at facilities for the elderly. She even drew upon her soccer skills and helped coach inner-city kids and worked with Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.
Rhegan turned down a full scholarship elsewhere because: "Marquette was the right place for me. I sense a responsibility toward those around me and the community at large. I do this through prayer, contemplation and action. I do not do it perfectly, but I pursue excellence, and my faith underlies everything. It truly was the Marquette mission statement that drew me to the university."
Rhegan is among the best soccer players in Marquette history, holding numerous university and conference records and honors while leading a team that went 65-17-9 during her four years. She was a first-team All-American and won the McCahill Award for demonstrating "the highest performance in scholarship, leadership and athletics."
Rhegan is still connected to Marquette soccer and in touch with good friends, family and faculty. She recently returned from doing service work abroad and hopes to become even more involved. Driven by "my faith in God and His love, if I can help — with or without words — someone realize God's love for them more fully, that is the most fulfilling work for me."
Fun facts about Rhegan
What she wanted to be in grade school: A writer
