After more than two decades dedicated to higher education, Becky Toth, Director of the ZIPD program at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, is stepping away to pursue a higher calling. On February 2nd, Toth will begin her journey into the ministry through online seminary, marking the end of a long and impactful career in academia.
Toth’s professional journey began in 2002 at Luzerne County Community College, where she served as the Director of the Northumberland Regional Center. “I worked there for four years doing everything from admitting and registering students to helping hire adjunct faculty and managing the center itself,” she recalled. In 2006, she returned to her alma mater, Susquehanna University, where she spent the next sixteen years rising from Director of Alumni Relations to Associate Vice President for Advancement. Eventually, a move to Bloomsburg brought her to CU-Bloomsburg, first as the Director of Orientation and later as the leader of the ZIPD program.
However, beneath her professional success, a personal transformation was taking root. “My journey toward ministry began after I experienced a deep personal loss,” Toth shared. Her father, a Lutheran minister, passed away in 2014; since then, she has also navigated the loss of her brother and mother. “It was during my years of grief that my faith actually grew stronger. I have always wanted to help people and make a difference in the world.”
The path to the pulpit became clearer at the end of 2024 when the pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bloomsburg retired. Having recently been elected to the church council and asked to chair the worship and music committee, Toth stepped up to lead Sunday services when no lay leaders were available. As she filled the gap, her congregation took notice.
“I recently learned that there is a shortage of pastors and many churches are in need,” Toth explained. “That, along with how much I was enjoying the work, made me start to think again about going into the ministry.”
The final confirmation came this past November when she delivered her first sermon. The experience of breaking down scripture for others energized her and solidified her sense of purpose. “Sometimes opportunities just hit you over the head, and there is no doubt that this is what you are meant to do,” she said. “You have to take a risk and jump in with both feet.”
While she is eager to begin her studies, Toth remains deeply connected to the students she has mentored at Bloomsburg. “I will miss all of you students tremendously, but I have complete faith in your ability to keep moving forward,”she said, adding that she will never forget the relationships built at CU. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have spent time with you all.”