Before Bethany Pope practiced positioning patients for X-rays, she positioned herself under stage lights in Nashville, Tennessee, where she chased a dream in country music.
Pope, a 2025 graduate of Newman University’s radiologic technology program, grew up in Rose Hill, Kansas, and graduated high school in 2001. She then moved to Nashville in 2002 to pursue her music career as a singer, where she toured, traveled and entertained. She released a self-titled debut album in 2010, which is available on her website, bethanypopemusic.com.
Then life called her in a new direction.
“I became a single mom,” Pope explained. “And that life and the hours are just really tough. I still sing, and I’ll hopefully get to record again one day. But I knew I wanted to go back to school for my son.”
Entering radiologic technology
Originally drawn to cardiac sonography, Pope enrolled in Newman’s radiologic technology program as a stepping stone toward that goal. But to her surprise, she found a passion for radiology itself.
“It was not what I expected,” she said. “I thought I’d just go right on to echo, but I really enjoyed it. So I plan to work in both fields.”
Returning to school after 20 years wasn’t easy, especially while balancing motherhood, studies and work.
“It was very challenging, but also very rewarding,” Pope said. “Sometimes I felt like the younger students had it easier because they didn’t necessarily have to think about all the home responsibilities like laundry or dishes. I had to really get my brain back in gear.”
A support system that feels like family
Despite the challenges, Pope found support through her cohort and Newman’s faculty.
“It all comes at you really fast,” she said with a laugh. “But the professors really care about their students. I could not have done it without the support I had from the faculty here.”
She credited program director Jeff Vaughn and instructors Jeskan McGovern, Kristin Weakland and Sherry Ewing for their encouragement and guidance.
“They were all amazing. They were all so supportive of us,” she said.
Pope will always remember the hours she spent studying with fellow radiology students in her favorite campus library spot.
“We called it the sunroom. It’s the only room with a window,” she said with a smile. “I think it’s technically a break room, but we took it over.”
A future in Wichita
Walking across the graduation stage represented more than just earning a degree for Pope. It was also a powerful message to her son.
“It’s such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment,” she said. “I’m most excited that he gets to see me succeed and accomplish what I put my mind to, despite adversities and struggles along the way. To see me obtain something that I earned, that no one can ever take away from me … go back to school, work hard and finish it well. That’s what graduation day was all about for us.”
With graduation behind her, Pope is preparing to take her national registry exam at the end of June. She plans to start working in radiologic technology in August and will begin a cardiac sonography program through Washburn University the following year.
Originally intending to return to Nashville, Pope now plans to remain in Wichita for the foreseeable future. But she hasn’t completely left her singing days behind, as she shares her vocal talents as a member of the worship band at NewSpring Church.
“My whole family is here and I met my fiancé here,” she said. “I’ll probably be here for a good 10 years before moving back south.”
Earn a degree in radiologic technology
The radiologic technology degree at Newman University empowers graduates by giving them the skills necessary to be a highly valued employee through providing high quality, compassionate patient care.
