Alumnus Zachary Gibson ’09 followed his passion for graphic design to Los Angeles, where he now manages the Snapchat team at BuzzFeed, known as “the media company for the social age.” Learn how he got discovered, and find out about the children’s book he’s been working on, with proceeds going toward Midnight Mission (a charity that fights to relieve the massive homeless population that exists in the City of Angels). “Bethel emphasizes being about other people. It’s a huge asset to remember that it’s not all about me,” he says.

It can be hard to be thankful.

Reflecting on recent current events has left me evermore convinced of this. How much easier it is to let the gravitational pull of negativity push me down further into the mire of pessimism that is so, so, accessible. National security is questionable, the papers I have due this week are certain, and visions of pumpkin pie and turkey stuffing seem to be nothing more than foggy memories or distant dreams.

Yet God calls us to be thankful, always, and for everything.

Jared Schwartz ’04, began his Bethel career as a performing artist with no formal training in voice or vocal performance. Now he is a household name to classical music lovers. His new album, “Gabriel Fauré; Songs for Bass Voice and Piano,” contains 25 songs by French composer Gabriel Fauré and features a conglomeration of old favorites and first-time recordings of some of Fauré’s works.

The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart and hit number 2 on the list of Amazon Hot New Releases. Though Schwartz makes the music sound effortless, his success came after years of work dating back to college.