ORDINARY GIRL, EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE: A Tribute to Cheryl Beckett
During her years at IWU, Cheryl Beckett ’00, embodied the characteristics of a typical college student — academically focused, friendly and upbeat. As a biology major, she spent plenty of time in the library but still made space for hangouts with friends and regular church attendance. Anyone who talked to her could tell she loved the Lord. What most people didn’t know was that one day, that Jesus-loving college student would lose her life while courageously serving God’s mission in Afghanistan.
According to Vonda Patten Snellenberger ’00, a fellow IWU alumna and friend, the two quickly bonded after arriving on campus for their freshman year.
“Cheryl Beckett was the first person I met on freshman orientation day,” Snellenberger said. “We found out we were both from nondenominational churches, and she invited me to go to church with her.”
Beckett was always faith centered. She always stood bravely for what she believed in, even when she was young, and invited others to do the same. Maridith Marsh, a small group leader at the time, led a college-age class at Beckett’s church — Converse Church of Christ. Beckett became close with Marsh and other students in the group. To them, she was joyful, honest and relatable.
“Cheryl was one of the first actual students that came to our class — she was consistently there every week for several years,” Marsh said. “She had to do an insect collection for one of her biology classes, so we helped her look for bugs. She was just like any other college student.”
Despite her discipline and drive, Beckett had a way of being fully present around people. She built deep friendships during her time at IWU.
“She just seemed to be joyful wherever she was, whatever she was doing,” Marsh said. “She was constantly bringing her friends to church. There was a consistent group of four of them that came all the time.”
“NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUR AGE MADE GOD THE CENTER OF WHO THEY ARE. CHERYL DID...”
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JEANNA ROGERS ’01
IWU Alumni
One of her college roommates, Jeanna Rogers ’01, admired Beckett’s boldness in living out her faith, and the way she brought others into it.
“Not a lot of people our age made God the center of who they are. Cheryl did, and that encouraged me to live that way as well,” Rogers said. “We shared the usual college experiences — talking about classes, boys and life over meals.”
After college, Beckett didn’t chase comfort or familiarity. She worked in Florida for a time before ultimately moving to Afghanistan as a missionary.
“She just felt so called to help the women there [in Afghanistan],” Marsh said. “She saw the need, and she saw where she could be a benefit.”
Beckett served in Afghanistan for nearly six years before she was tragically martyred while traveling to a remote village to help provide medical aid.
“I am very proud of who she became,” Snellenberger said. “I love that she became a missionary helping others.”
Though her death was heartbreaking, those who knew her weren’t surprised that she gave her life in service to others.
“She was constantly looking to see how she could help other people,” Marsh said. “She was the kind of person who could be that oasis for others.”
Beckett was always the confident type. Rogers remembered taking walks with her around campus, reflecting on life.
“We would talk about school, problems we were facing, our unknown futures, and how God fit into all of it,” Rogers said. “I always felt better when we got back to our room.”
The lasting impact Beckett made on those around her — both on and off campus — was honored in 2011 when IWU’s North Hall, a women’s dorm on the east side of campus, was renamed Beckett Hall.
“She probably would have laughed really hard about it,” Marsh said.
Her admirable journey started with small steps, as many things in life do.
“She just took every day and tried to see the good, tried to love other people, and tried to be kind to them,” Marsh said.
Courage doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. It’s often found in the everyday choices — like the ones Beckett made throughout her college career. Through studying hard, building relationships and growing in her faith, she laid the foundation of courage and character that enabled her to face situations that many would fear.