Greetings from Sewanee! We have wrapped up a semester full of enriching programming on campus and impactful experiences off the Domain. Our seniors have graduated, and students are returning to the Mountain for summer school and research opportunities. We hope you enjoy our recent highlights!

Two experts in energy finance, Robert Birdsey, C’99, co-founder of Greenfront Energy Partners, and Steve Ridge, CFO of Dominion Energy, discussed energy market trends during a panel discussion on March 19. Birdsey is the managing director at GreenFront Energy Partners, an investment banking advisory firm that focuses exclusively on energy transition. Ridge leads one of the nation’s largest energy providers and has held leadership roles at Dominion in mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, corporate strategy, financial management, and operations. Previously, they worked together in energy investment banking at J.P. Morgan in New York City. 

Birdsey and Ridge discussed the increased demand for energy due to the growth in data centers, and Ridge shared details about the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project to be completed in 2026. Birdsey noted that in his interactions with Sewanee students and alumni, they consistently come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate sharp insight.

Birdsey and Ridge spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of students, staff, and community members.

Babson Center director Myles Elledge, Birdsey, Ridge, and senior Carey Fellow Easton Strickler, who introduced the speakers.

Seniors Annabel Feltner, Aqsa Jamali and Kabir Menon were inspired by the speakers, financial leaders in their field.

Bryan Viewpoints speaker John Davies, C'81, an agricultural biotechnology and business professional, returned to Sewanee on April 1 to give a presentation entitled "From Academia to Industry: Learnings from My Career in Biotechnology." During his talk, Davies discussed details of his work during his time in academia and in the corporate sector. Davies currently serves as interim chief scientific officer of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan. The institute's mission is a world where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.

Senior biology major Kostas Andriotis introduced Davies.

Carey Fellow seniors Marshall Coley, Talha Ehsan, and Ryan Stewart

Carey Fellow Maria Kennedy, C'27, Noah Bjorkman, C'28, and Carey Fellow Savannah Gann, C'27, are pursuing a minor in business.

The Babson Center awards Lewis Conference Scholarships for Quinnipiac University's Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum and Big Path Capital's Momentum (MO) Summit. In April, three business students attended the GAME Forum, a student-led financial conference. Two students worked for Michael Whelchel, C'89, co-founder and managing partner of Big Path Capital, at the MO Summit. Lewis Conference Scholarships are funded by a generous gift from Amy & Tandy Lewis, C’80.

Left to right: Logan Johnson, C'27, Caroline Gilmour, C'25, and Molly Yeager, C'25

“By attending the GAME Forum, we were able to hear different perspectives and outlooks on macroeconomic issues, geopolitical concerns, and innovation. The speakers were incredibly knowledgeable and prominent in their respective fields and offered insights that helped us to understand the necessary skills to be successful in the industry."

Kabir Menon, C'25, Michael Whelchel, C'89, and Alpha Bah, C'26

“Serving as an intern at the MO Summit was an inspiring experience. Every business owner we met was driven by a mission to create meaningful value for society, and we truly felt that our values aligned with the community around us. The relationships we built over the summit will continue to be a guiding force as we pursue careers in the world of impact-driven business."

Freshman Carey Fellows Visit Huntsville

The freshman Carey Fellows participated in executive briefing meetings at the Huntsville International Airport and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Thank you to Carey Fellow parents Kelli and Brian Pollock for hosting these students. From left to right: Brayden Petras, Canon Moore, Ivy Spence, Nora Quinn, Frances Barnett, Eva Mosby, Rad Burt, and Chapman Wiehardt

Sophomore business honors students traveled to Nashville for three executive briefings with business leaders in economic development, music, and health sectors. We are grateful to alumni and friends, including Lori Odom, Whitaker Elledge, C'07, and Chase Spurlock, C'09, who generously gave their time, advice, and insights into their work.

Students met with Chase Spurlock, C'07, CEO and co-founder at Decode Health.

From left to right: Jawaria Jaleel, Maria Kennedy, Savannah Gann, Max Miller, Logan Johnson, and Scott Busey

Five Sewanee students have been awarded scholarships to attend summer programs at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management and the London School of Economics. These immersive programs give liberal arts undergraduates a competitive edge professionally. 

Two students were awarded Beecken Scholarships to attend the London School of Economics, including Grace Whitley Olson, a politics major from Nashville, Tennessee, and Drew Rukavina, a finance major from Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Three 2025 Sewanee-Vanderbilt Scholars will attend the Accelerator Summer Business Immersion Program including Holden Phillips from Davidson, North Carolina, Emma Meyer from Farragut, Tennessee, and Noah Bjorkman from Brentwood, Tennessee.

The Beecken Scholarships are funded by a gift from Kitty and David Beecken, C'68, and the Sewanee-Vanderbilt Accelerator Scholarships are funded by Philip K. Woodlief, C'75.

 Grace Whitley Olson, C'27

Drew Rukavina, C'27

Holden Phillips, C'28, Emma Meyer, C'26, and Noah Bjorkman, C'28

Students creatively presented and displayed their scholarship and research throughout the day during Scholarship Sewanee, vying for distinction in their field. Congratulations to everyone who participated and was present to explain their work to faculty, staff, and fellow students. 

Carey Fellow Kabir Menon gave an oral presentation outlining how liquid natural gas shipping routes impact the populations of marbled murrelets, a seabird, and Carey Fellow Marshall Coley participated in the finance and economic research posters session.

Senior biology student Kabir Menon

Senior finance students Jake Nevle, Marshall Coley, and Jonah Patton

As part of their final project for BUS353 senior seminar, Carey Fellows presented five-minute “TED talks” in response to the prompt: “How can business be a force for good?” Great work preparing and presenting your informative and interesting talks!

Left to right: Ryan Stewart, Talha Ehsan, Easton Strickler, Tanner Gray, Jennifer Quispe, Marshall Coley, Aqsa Jamali, Jackson Mott, William Hull, Babson Center Director Myles Elledge and Kabir Menon

Family and friends of our 10 senior Carey Fellow business honors students gathered to celebrate their accomplishments during Commencement weekend. Read their reflections from their time as Carey Fellows here.

Left to right: Marshall Coley, Kabir Menon, Aqsa Jamali, Tanner Gray, Ryan Stewart, Myles Elledge, Talha Ehsan, Jennifer Quispe, Easton Strickler, William Hull and Jackson Mott

Senior Carey Fellows

Talha Ehsan with his family and friendship family member Sherri Bergman

The Gray Family

Graduates Kabir Menon and Aqsa Jamali with friends and family

Carey Fellows Inducted Into Phi Berta Kappa

Senior Carey Fellows Kabir Menon, and Talha Ehsan were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society. They are pictured with Director of the Babson Center Myles Elledge. Congratulations!

Thank You for Answering the Call on #TigerTuesday!

We want to thank our current students, alumni, parents, and friends of the Babson Center. Seventy-six donors gave $43,556 to support our programs. Thank you for investing in the Babson Center and our students during Sewanee's #TigerTuesday campaign!