Having trouble locating some information about us Visits are the best way to understand the Briar Cliff difference and get answers Ask a question or let us help you navigate our site You are a vital part of our Cliff community and leadership gathered to recognize students for their academic excellence and commitment to Franciscan values at the 2025 Honors Convocation in the Chapel of Our Lady of Grace on campus The ceremony included remarks from Mark Rossi Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Faculty members Brian Hazlett and Jeremy Owens led the academic procession and the Briar Cliff University Singers performed the National Anthem Business Administration: Garrett Trapp International Business: Helene Getz Bergmo Mass Communications: Madaleine Dishaw Elementary Education: Olivia Arndorfer Human Performance & Management: Anesa Davenport Sister Muriel Ford Social Justic Award: Brooklyn Grady Distinguished Graduate Student in Health Care Administration Award: Kyler Steinborn Distinguished Graduate Student in Management Award for Human Resource Management: Sarah Hovden Distinguished Graduate Student in Management Award for Leadership: Luis De la Fuente Castro Distinguished Graduate Student in Management Award for Sports Management: Grace Flanagan Distinguished Graduate Student in Nursing Award: Ashley Konz Distinguished Graduate Student in Physical Therapy Award: Sophie Kramper Brockhaus Distinguished Senior Alumni and Graduate Student Awards: Distinguished Senior Alumni Award: Logan Hartnett Distinguished Graduate Student Award: Janessa Conrad Aden Ford was named Valedictorian along with Cade Pepper being named Salutatorian © 2025 Briar Cliff University. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy & Legal Information | Web design by Blue Compass Website funded in part by the Department of Education Formerly an annual tradition, Amherst County Day welcomes the Amherst County community to campus to encourage Sweet Briar and local residents to get to know each other Amherst County residents and the campus community will share fun and educational experiences from hayrides to craft booths student project displays to musical performances This year’s event will feature the annual Amherst County Easter Egg Hunt, food vendors, craft vendors, and activities for all ages! The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture is also holding its Tree Climbing Championship on campus that day which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly We look forward to seeing you at Sweet Briar College! and I’m an organizer with Save Briar East Woods in Hammond my friends attended a Hammond Common Council meeting to get involved in local issues They sloughed through bureaucratic jargon and roll calls until public comment when a man came up and passionately made the case to save a forest in the Hessville neighborhood from destruction I met my friends and we walked to a bar on Calumet Avenue Ken told us all about the dune woodland he had fiercely defended in his speech earlier: the Briar East Woods ancient shoreline of Lake Michigan; the last unprotected remnant of the High Tolleston Dunes resplendent with horsetail and other native flora down to the lake where he played ice hockey as a kid He reminisced on more recent trips to the woods for birdwatching and solitude We craned our necks up toward the sky to take in those 150-year-old black oaks monolithic and sturdy in the changing colors of autumn Governor’s Parkway is a bridge ostensibly designed to get people -- in cars and emergency vehicles, but primarily children walking to school -- over a train crossing on Grand Avenue. Kids there climb over stalled trains on their walk to school. It’s a huge safety hazard that received national attention a couple years ago I can go on about how Governor’s Parkway is two miles away from Grand Avenue crossing, exorbitantly expensive, entirely ineffective, and a ruse to throw up a housing development over Briar East Woods, some of the last undeveloped land left in the city of Hammond (4,000-Year-Old Forest Under Threat by Hammond Mayor - JTNWI) and that is not what I’m writing about here. What I am writing about is how I got hooked on this dune woodland the much-needed intermission it provides from its industrial surroundings the service it provides to the people of Hessville and the region at large. I got hooked on the energy of Ken and my friends and everyone who has participated in the fight to Save Briar East Woods On how our collective voice can challenge the powers that be cleaning it up to make it inviting for the community The truth is that the natural world can offer you much more than the man-made chaos We take for granted the few natural areas left in our region and many people don’t engage with them at all But once you destroy a 4,700-year-old ecosystem No one can build back the historic landscape that defines our region or acres of crucial habitat for so many types of wildlife I have witnessed firsthand the power of the natural world and how it compelled thousands of people to come together to defend the Briar East Woods you might be compelled to come together with us Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. © Sierra Club 2025.The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright SIOUX CITY, Iowa- [BOX SCORE]- In a competitive NAIA Women's Basketball Championship Round of 16 matchup Briar Cliff (Iowa) secured a decisive 80-64 victory over Mid-America Christian (Okla.). The Chargers advance to the quarterfinals for the 11th time in program history We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service Briar Cliff University proudly celebrated the remarkable student leaders who make a difference on our campus every day The Step Up & Stand Out Awards recognized individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles and dedication to the Briar Cliff community The ceremony was a moment to reflect on the impact of student involvement and to applaud those who truly stepped up and stood out this year Outstanding student organization program of the year award: social work and education’s pen pal program theater club’s production of death of a doornail and Enactus’ renovation of the Tanzania classroom Student employee of the year: Ethan Gregg and Kathryn Sims-Kormann Emerging Leader of the Year: Sydney Woods and Britton McKenzie Landmark Leader of the Year: Anesa Davenport and Sarah Glover Student organization of the year: Social Work Club and the Siouxland community together for a night of celebration with its Final Concert of the Year and connection as attendees enjoyed a festive outdoor atmosphere The concert featured standout performances by the Briar Cliff Singers A highlight of the night included a special guest appearance from Omaha Central High School’s Mariachi ensemble whose energetic set was met with enthusiastic applause Guests were invited to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the show while indulging in hot dogs and hamburgers served fresh from the grill Yard games across the lawn added to the evening's casual Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event a success It was a joyful way to celebrate the final weeks of the semester and we look forward to more moments like these in the future 2025) Briar Cliff University proudly celebrated the academic accomplishments of its students during the 2025 Excellence Event The annual event brought together students and community members for an evening showcasing scholarly and creative work across a wide range of disciplines in the Heelan Atrium with welcoming remarks and an overview of the evening’s sessions From poster presentations to oral discussions and virtual sessions students demonstrated the depth and diversity of their academic pursuits Doctor of Physical Therapy and Undergraduate Nursing Posters: Displayed in the Heelan Atrium these sessions highlighted innovations in healthcare and patient-centered research. Spanish ePoster Sessions: Held in multiple classrooms students from Spanish 101 to Spanish 311 presented language-focused research and cultural projects. and the Science of Happiness: Students shared in-depth insights and findings many tied to real-world application and interdisciplinary inquiry. Graduate Nursing Presentations: Delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams graduate students showcased advanced research and clinical studies the classrooms and atrium buzzed with energy as attendees engaged with student presenters and explored their work The Excellence Event continues to serve as a platform for recognizing the hard work and creativity of Briar Cliff’s undergraduate and graduate scholars “This event is always a highlight of the academic year,” said Alexis Becker Patterson Briar Cliff University’s Librarian and Archivist “It’s a celebration of student dedication and the support of faculty mentors who guide them.” The university extends its congratulations to all students who participated and thanks the faculty and staff who made the event possible For more information about student research and academic events at Briar Cliff University, contact Alexis Becker Patterson at alexis.becker@briarcliff.edu or (712) 279-1771. 2025) Mariachi Las Cimas de Briar Cliff has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Kind World Foundation to further its mission of celebrating and advancing the art of Mariachi in the Siouxland region The funds will support the purchase of new instruments “This grant will enable us to grow the program and share the richness of Mariachi music with even more people,” said Dr Assistant Professor of Music and Founder of Mariachi Las Cimas “We’re excited to expand access to music and education to the community.” the university’s Mariachi Academy received a $10,000 grant from the Gilchrist Foundation and raised $5,000 during its fall donation drive thanks to the generosity of community supporters These combined resources will help Briar Cliff continue to establish itself as the home of collegiate Mariachi in the Siouxland community the program is actively recruiting talented Mariachi musicians to join Briar Cliff for the 2025-2026 academic year is poised to build on its reputation as an inspiring and dynamic ensemble For more information about the Mariachi program or how to support Briar Cliff University’s music efforts, please contact Dr. Brian Cook at brian.cook@briarcliff.edu or (712) 279-5548. Sweet Briar College is celebrating a decade of resilience and prosperity fueled by the generosity of our supporters! alumnae and friends have contributed generously to Sweet Briar This generosity has fueled many improvements and accomplishments intended to enhance the student experience at the College This slideshow highlights and gratefully acknowledges the sacrificial giving of our supporters and reflects the tremendous accomplishments and dedication of many to bring these innovations to fruition. Elston Inn Refresh: In 2016, the Elston Inn and Wailes Conference Center debuted refreshed rooms and event spaces Tennis Courts: Alumnae and friends rallied in 2016 and 2017 to fund the much-needed rebuild and resurfacing of the tennis courts. Much was accomplished to reconfigure and rebuild the courts to meet NCAA and Intercollegiate Tennis Association standards. The Vixens have been achieving new heights and breaking records ever since the courts were resurfaced again in 2023 thanks to the generosity of alumnae and friends Tuition Reset and Women’s Leadership Core Curriculum: In 2017, Sweet Briar reset its core curriculum and tuition for excellence, relevance and affordability. Pictured here is a student hard-at-work during Core 110: Design Thinking Sweet Briar House Renovation: In 2017, Sweet Briar College partnered with architecture, interior design, preservation, and planning firm, Glave and Holmes to undergo a rehabilitation of the public spaces of Sweet Briar House Most Innovative College: In 2018, Sweet Briar College was named one of the nation’s Most Innovative Schools News & World Report Best Colleges rankings Nominated by higher education leaders around the country Sweet Briar ranked higher than any other college or university — national liberal arts or regional — in the Commonwealth of Virginia Vineyard & Wine Production: In 2018, nearly 18 acres of vineyards were planted as a part of the College’s agricultural enterprises. Our vineyards now produce Sweet Briar College Farm Wine that is sold in the College’s Wine Shop Vineyard & Wine Production: The College’s vineyard tracts include the Merlot Tract named in honor of Cornelia Long Matson ’58 Vineyard & Wine Production: The Chardonnay Tract of Sweet Briar’s vineyards are named in memory of Langhorne “Lanny” Tuller Webster ’58 Pictured here are Lanny’s family and her 1958 classmates after the ribbon cutting of the tract Wildflower Meadow: In 2018 with support from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service the College’s 20-acre wildflower meadow was planted as a pollinator habitat Greenhouse: As a part of the College’s agriculture enterprises, our 26,000 square foot greenhouse was completed in 2020 and utilizes both hydroponic and soil-based growing space Presidential Scholars Expansion: In 2019, the College announced a $5 million dollar gift to expand its Presidential Scholars program Pictured here is then president Meredith Woo speaking to a group of accepted students at a Presidential Scholars weekend Stable Renovation: The College renovated the stables at the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center in 2020 thanks to a gift from Richard C. Colton, Jr The stables were renamed the Howell Lykes Colton ’38 Stables in memory of his mother Bailey Room Renovation: In 2020 the College renovated the Bailey Room at the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center Randolph Parlor was refreshed thanks to a generous donor Creation of Kelsey Health Center: In 2020, Sweet Briar relocated its health center from the Harley building to a newly renovated space in the lower level of the Mills Chapel. This space was named for Rev. Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66 in honor of her generosity Creation of Kelsey Health Center: In 2020, Sweet Briar relocated its health center from the Harley building to a newly renovated space in the lower level of the Mills Chapel. This space was named for Rev. Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66 in honor of her generosity Most Innovative College: Sweet Briar College was once again named as one of the nation’s Most Innovative Schools according to the 2021 Best Colleges rankings by U.S Sweet Briar tied for 24th place with Bryn Mawr Middlebury and two other institutions in the National Liberal Arts College category Mills Chapel: In September 2021, Sweet Briar College’s chapel was renamed to recognize the generosity of Norma Patteson Mills ’60 and her husband, Olan Mills the outing cabin underwent a rehabilitation to remain a much-loved rustic retreat in the woods Boathouse: Upgrades made to the Boathouse in 2021 included new windows and a new roof Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows: Since its inaugural year in 2021 and because of the generosity of Laura Willits Evans ’79, the Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows program has given students the opportunity to combine hands-on experience in campus agricultural operations with opportunities to pursue diverse endeavors related to agriculture Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows: Since its inaugural year in 2021 and because of the generosity of Laura Willits Evans ’79, the Willits Summer Food Systems Fellows program has given students the opportunity to combine hands-on experience Here students work on bottling line for the College’s 2023 Meadow Merlot Bird Observation Deck: Members of the Class of 1976 donated funds for the creation of a bird observation deck in memory of their classmate Martha “Ookie” Hays Cooper Most Innovative College: For the third time since 2019, Sweet Briar has been ranked as one of their Most Innovative Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation —this time at #29 Athletic Fields: In 2022, the College broke ground and completed the installation of both the Thayer Turf Field and the Meyer Soccer and Lacrosse Field - named for Mildred "Bee" Newman Thayer ’61 and Margot Saur Meyer ’60 respectively (Credit: Andrew Shurtleff Photography Kelley and C.T. Fitzpatrick Center for Creativity, Design, and the Arts: In May 2022, Sweet Briar College dedicated its Center for Creativity, Design and the Arts in honor of Kelley ’85 and C.T. Fitzpatrick Guion: In October 2022, Sweet Briar announced that a lead gift had been made to renovate Guion—the College’s science and engineering building 1972 Student Commons Courtyard: The area formerly known as the “Lower Quad” was renamed for the Class of 1972 after the class raised over $10 million to fund the renovation in honor of their 50th Reunion 1972 Student Commons Courtyard: The area formerly known as the “Lower Quad” was renamed for the Class of 1972 after the class raised over $10 million to fund the renovation in honor of their 50th Reunion the quad received its final touches with the addition of new teak furniture Student Spaces: The Class of 1972 raised funds for the renovation of all the dorm kitchen and lounge spaces in honor of their 50th Reunion Pictured here is one of the updated lounge spaces in Grammer Student Spaces: The Class of 1972 raised funds for the renovation of all the dorm kitchen and lounge spaces in honor of their 50th Reunion Pictured here is one of the updated lounge spaces in Carson Pictured here is one of the updated lounge spaces in Dew Student Spaces: The Class of 1972 raised funds for the renovation of all the dorm kitchen and lounge spaces in honor of their 50th Reunion Pictured here is the updated kitchen in Manson Pictured here is one of the updated lounge spaces in Meta Glass Student Spaces: Reid Pit also received a renovation of its own as a part of the Class of 1972 Reunion class gift in 2022 Student Spaces: As a part of their 50th Reunion gift the Class of 1972 raised funds to support the renovations of the student spaces on campus—including Daisy’s Cafe the College received a gift specifically for the award winning renovation of Reid Parlor Pictured here is the updated lounge space in Randolph the College underwent updating campus signage as a part of its wayfinding endeavors Gray Hall: The College announced that Reverend Keenan Colton Kelsey ’66 pledged a gift of $5 million to support the rehabilitation of Gray Hall in November 2023 Pool Renovations: Thanks to the generous support of the Perkins-Prothro Foundation and other donors the Prothro Natatorium in the Fitness & Athletics Center underwent renovations during the summer of 2024 including replacing the metal halide lights with LED fixtures replacing the ceiling and metal grid supporting the new lights Christopher Smith appointed Sweet Briar College’s vice president of enrollment management CEO of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) delivered an address at Briar Cliff University on Wednesday to recognize the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program for winning APTA’s 2024 Student Advocacy Challenge celebrated the efforts of the University’s DPT students who rose to the top of a national competition that included 335 Physical Therapy programs and 415 Physical Therapy Assistant programs The annual competition encourages students in these respective programs to engage in advocacy efforts that promote the profession and influence policy “Among more than 300 [physical therapy] programs in the United States Briar Cliff stands out as the top and model program in APTA,” Dr “You guys were the underdogs and fought above your weight try to encourage other programs to do what you already do here.” This year’s campaign was led by students Megan Driesen (‘24) Ashley German (‘25) and Tayler Wolfs (‘26) who coordinated advocacy initiatives and mobilized classmates with support from the DPT faculty BCU’s students earned the top spot through sheer volume of advocacy activities overcoming programs with significantly larger enrollment numbers The victory ends Mercer University’s three-year winning streak “Our students have truly exemplified what it means to be advocates—not just for their future profession but for the communities they’ll one day serve,” said Dr Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Briar Cliff University recognizing their commitment on a national stage is an honor that reflects the heart and drive of this entire program.” This visit marked one of the few times a guest speaker has presented the award in person Moore has ties to Iowa as he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa he chose to make the trip to BCU in recognition of the students’ extraordinary efforts and success. Briar Cliff University is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth M Augustine as the new Director of Financial Aid Augustine brings nearly two decades of experience in financial aid administration and higher education leadership making her an outstanding addition to the Briar Cliff community Augustine will oversee all aspects of the university’s financial aid operations ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while enhancing service to students and families She will play a key role in Briar Cliff’s efforts to provide accessible “Elizabeth’s deep expertise in financial aid and her passion for supporting students make her a tremendous asset to Briar Cliff,” said Suzie Fischer “Navigating financial aid can be a complex and sometimes overwhelming process Having someone with Elizabeth’s extensive knowledge and critical understanding ensures that our students and families receive the guidance they need with clarity and confidence." Augustine joins Briar Cliff from South Dakota State University where she most recently served as Assistant Director of Financial Aid oversaw compliance with federal regulations and led initiatives to enhance student support Her extensive background includes positions at the University of South Dakota and Globe University where she specialized in financial aid operations Augustine holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has earned all 16 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) credentials She is an active member of regional and national financial aid organizations and has been recognized for her contributions to student success and financial aid excellence Augustine officially began her role at Briar Cliff University on March 3 More than 600 regional residents join Sweet Briar College for Amherst County Day I enjoyed you for 5 years of working together I know sharing stories with your sisters today about how well you were liked at Athene and your dedication to our team and department made them proud of you I will never forget our epic road trip to Minneapolis for the Green Day concert and I never knew what she was going to say next she will always have a special place in my heart I had the pleasure of working with Jeannie at two of her former employers She always had a smile on her face and a story to tell and laughter was always present when Jeannie was around She had relentless energy while I worked with her and always made me laugh She was also one of the few people who pulled me out of my shell when I first joined Athene Mostly talking about our shared interest in Green Day I worked with Jeannie for several years and my heart is heavy today She was a ball of energy and could talk to anyone about anything We had the same pair of earrings and she would get so excited when we happened to wear them at the same time she would laugh and say we were "ear twins" you never knew what would come out of her mouth She always had some story to tell and it was so nice hearing her say good morning I remember being new at work and she made me feel very welcome I had the pleasure of having Jeannie Briar on my team in 2019 and she always had a way of making me laugh even when I was in a bit of a mood her questions about my heritage and her sarcastic sense of humor Condolences and prayers out to her family I didn't work with her very long but I remember when I did see her she was always happy and said Hi to everyone full of life little girl who always did everything in her own way It was always great to see her and catch up on all her news You definitely put a smile on the faces of all who knew you My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends © 2025 Hamilton's Funeral and After Life Services Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here 2025) Briar Cliff University reaffirms the University’s dedication to Catholic education with a significant annual investment of $5 million through institutional and funded aid This commitment underscores BCU’s mission to support students pursuing a faith-based education ensuring accessibility and affordability for Catholic families BCU offers the Catholic Connection Scholarship which guarantees a minimum 60% tuition discount to eligible students making a Catholic higher education more affordable and accessible we believe in the power of faith-driven education and the transformative impact it has on students’ lives,” said Dr “This investment in scholarships ensures that Catholic students and families can pursue their academic and spiritual goals without financial barriers.” Nearly 40% of students at the University have self-identified as Catholic As a Franciscan institution rooted in a tradition of openness and inclusivity Briar Cliff University welcomes and supports students of all faith backgrounds This commitment to faith is enriched by a vibrant community of spiritual activities and organizations For more information about Briar Cliff University’s Catholic scholarships and initiatives, visit briarcliff.edu/scholarships. New Opportunities for Future Engineers and Professionals Improvement project will replace aging materials to meet future infrastructure capacity demand This project will replace water mains that have reached the end of their service life It will renew the water mains along Briar Patch Lane (from New Market Way to Hedgelawn Way) and Wimbleton Drive (from East Shelley Road to Collingswood Drive) approximately 1,600 linear feet along each street. Kristen T. Pierce, P.E.Senior Project Manager919-996-4542Office Location: 1 Exchange Plaza Suite 620Raleigh Survey notification letters were distributed in late September 2022 Survey will begin in late October through mid-November No right-of-way acquisition required for this project was the low bidder and awarded the contract for this project Construction to begin mid April with the contractor starting on Briar Patch Lane Game Recap: Baseball | 4/15/2025 11:57:00 PM Thanks for visiting Year 2006 | Acres 10 | Landmarks Located on the campus of Brier Creek Elementary School BEAM solar-powered EV charger available Brier Creek Park is a partnership with the City of Raleigh and Wake County Schools sharing school and community use spaces Main 919-996-3301 brier.creek@raleighnc.gov Scott Graham Directorscott.graham@raleighnc.gov Logan Ramirez Assistant Directorlogan.ramirez@raleighnc.gov Autumn Tate Youth Programs Manager919-996-3304 autumn.tate@raleighnc.gov Get Directions Know Before You Go Request your rental online using RecLink or by reaching out to the facility. View other court locations. Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval payment will be required to confirm the reservation Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment View other shelter locations Request your field rental online using RecLink or contact Athletics at 919-996-2154. View other field locations. View other playground locations. This feedback widget is not intended for customer service issues This feedback is reviewed monthly to help us improve our site. For immediate customer service please refer to our staff directory As millions of fans gear up to watch Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, one Briar Cliff alum has a special connection to the big game. Katie (Wilke) DeJean, a standout athlete for the Chargers in the late 1990s, will be watching her son, Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs his journey wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of his mother—an athlete whose own career left an indelible mark at Briar Cliff University Katie Wilke graduated from Briar Cliff in 1999 after a remarkable collegiate career that saw her dominate on the basketball court A first-team NAIA All-American as a senior she was also named the NAIA Midwest Region Player of the Year Over her three-year career with the Chargers helping lead the team to an impressive 89-17 record and three consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances she led the team with 588 points in her senior year and played in every game—106 straight—after transferring from Huron University Her time at Briar Cliff built a foundation not only for her success on the court but also for the competitive spirit she carried forward in life While Katie’s achievements on the court were extraordinary her love for sports didn’t stop after college she fostered an environment where athleticism The DeJean family emphasized the importance of playing multiple sports rather than specializing too early a philosophy that shaped Cooper’s development into a multi-talented athlete and baseball before becoming a standout defensive back at the University of Iowa His performance in college earned him a spot in the 2024 NFL Draft where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles Though he started his rookie season with limited playing time he quickly proved his potential and is now preparing to play on football’s biggest stage where they remain active in their community has balanced her career with supporting her son’s rise through the ranks of football While she may not have pursued a professional athletic career herself those who watched her play at Briar Cliff know just how special her talent was has even remarked that Katie was the better athlete between the two—a testament to her remarkable skill on the court as she watches her son take the field in the biggest game of his life she does so with the same competitive spirit that made her an all-time great at Briar Cliff Whether in the stands or cheering from home one thing is certain—Katie Wilke DeJean will always be a Charger and her legacy continues through the next generation ‘U’ Heads to Johns Island for Briar's Creek Invitational3/8/2025 7:28:00 AM | Women's Golf — Lynchburg softball picked up a pair of ODAC road wins on Saturday taking down Sweet Briar 7–4 in eight innings and 5–1 in the doubleheader sweep In game one, Madison Barnes, Sarah Watts, and Kaleigh Hackett each collected two hits Barnes added three RBIs and scored twice to pace the Hornets' offense Sweet Briar broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third with a run on a fielder's choice and added two more following a Lynchburg error. The Hornets answered in the fourth when Hackett singled to right field to drive in Barnes. In the sixth, Watts tied the game with an RBI double, scoring Carly Hudnall and then came home herself on a sacrifice fly from Barnes Lynchburg exploded for four runs to open the eighth Sweet Briar pushed across one in the bottom half but Kailey Dorsis and the Hornet defense held strong to seal the 7–4 win Talayumptewa opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single followed by a three-run homer from Barnes to put Lynchburg up 4–0 early Barnes added her fourth RBI with a single in the third inning to drive in Watts Kate Charlton and Dorsis combined in the circle to hold Sweet Briar to just three hits with no walks in game two Lynchburg improves to 18–10 overall and now turns its focus to Bridgewater for another road doubleheader tomorrow Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Sweet Briar College holds 10th annual March Days of Giving 2025) Briar Cliff University is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of this year’s annual Sister Muriel Ford Lectureship community members and social work alumni in celebration of 50 years of accreditation of the University’s Social Work Program This year’s guest speaker was Barb Newhouse a member of Briar Cliff’s Class of 1980 who holds a Bachelor of Social Work She has an extensive career in leadership roles with organizations such as the American Cancer Society “Embracing the Change Agent Within,” explored the role of social workers and community advocates in driving meaningful change Highlighting important people in her journey and career Newhouse illustrated how the intersections of differing experiences influence who you decide to be “You need to learn what your impact is,” Newhouse said “You’ve got to be able to understand impact Impact makes the difference in whether change becomes positive or negative through how you are able to deliver that message.” in the Heelan Hall Atrium celebrated BCU social work alumni and the Social Work Program The reception featured remarks from President Dr Matthew Draud and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Mark Rossi congratulating alums and the program while highlighting the program’s accomplishments over the past 50 years the program has played a key role in organizing impactful events such as the annual educational conference tied to the Memorial March to Honor Lost Children and the first-ever Round Dance for Healthy Living.” Rossi said The event not only honored the legacy of Briar Cliff’s Social Work Program but also reaffirmed the University’s commitment to preparing future generations of compassionate and driven social workers it remains dedicated to fostering academic excellence and empowering students to be agents of change in their communities Briar Cliff University is proud to announce a new partnership with TEL Education This collaboration will expand affordable access to dual credit courses for high school students empowering them to begin their college journey early Briar Cliff University’s dual credit program online courses that include all necessary materials These courses are designed to be transferable to most two-year and four-year institutions giving students a head start in achieving their higher education goals we are taking a significant step forward in making college education accessible to more students," said Dr "This partnership aligns with our mission to deliver quality education and opens the door for high school students to seamlessly transition to college with transferable credits already in hand." Cliff Academy’s expanded offerings include both online and concurrent enrollment options Students can enroll individually or through partnerships between Briar Cliff University and school districts which can align course schedules and cover costs for participating students This initiative is part of Briar Cliff’s ongoing commitment to supporting students in their educational journey offering a seamless transition from high school to college For more information about Cliff Academy and partnership opportunities, visit briarcliff.edu/cliff-academy. was only 16 years old when he first discovered his passion for sports broadcasting. A good friend of his told him that his brother worked at the KOLT radio station in Scottsbluff His buddy’s brother was getting ready to graduate and convinced Clark to apply for a job. He started off by working overnights as a sophomore in high school but nothing matched his love for broadcasting sports. “I graduated and spent some time in limbo,” Clark said “I remembered how much I loved broadcasting I decided to become a broadcaster and knew this is how I could stay involved in sports.” He then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nebraska and spent about 15 years in the business as a sports journalist he always knew that he wanted to teach. After moving with his wife to her home state of Indiana he earned his teaching degree from Ball State University and spent some time teaching high school journalism and broadcasting He then returned to his home state and received a master's degree from the University of Nebraska. He got back into the business in a management role but severely missed the classroom he had the opportunity to teach broadcast journalism for the Cornhuskers’ sports program. Years later he started a sports communication program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney He spent about 10 years there cultivating and developing a program from scratch before making the jump to Briar Cliff University. I heard about the opportunity at Briar Cliff,” Clark said “I was very aware of Briar Cliff; I have family that lives in the area and it was a unique chance to get the program going here again.” he has developed a sports communication class that is over capacity One of his main goals is to get all the classes that the major offers to be at or over capacity. that they can make a living off their love for sports – like he had. When he goes to local high schools to recruit he’s found that many students don’t realize this become a sports information director at a college or go work for a sports team. “This is something we can teach you to do at Briar Cliff,” Clark said “You can do all these different things to stay involved in sports after high school and you can partake through writing or photography.” Some ways he gets his students involved are giving them opportunities to stream games produce a podcast or write and take photos. Even though these are all things students learn in his class he doesn’t push them towards one specific direction He understands that not everybody can or will want to do play-by-play. He also understands that not everyone will want to write or take photos He just wants to give everybody an opportunity to do each thing in his class to find what they’re passionate about. “I try to get my students experience doing as many things as possible,” Clark said photographers or commentators.” Another thing that is big for him is giving his students the chance to hear from and network with seasoned professionals that he has met throughout his years of working in sports media. Clark understands the importance of getting experience in the field at a young age through internships or part-time work when in college or directly after. By allowing his students to learn and connect with professionals in the field he hopes it helps his students be successful while in school but also find employment after. “The sports communication business is built upon who you know and who those people know,” Clark said “It’s very important to me to expose my students to as many of those people as possible.” While he’s focused on his current students’ success and excited that so many students want to take his class he still has his eyes on the future of the sports communication program at BCU. “I would like to have a beginning class and an advanced class,” Clark said “I don’t want my students to have just one semester of this class and wishing they could do it more.” Dr. John Morrissey will address the Class of 2025 during this year’s Commencement ceremony. A Homegrown Opportunity for Virginia Students The SBCommitment program supports Virginia’s most promising students by covering their tuition costs. This scholarship is designed to help talented individuals pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints. Virginia applicants to Sweet Briar College will have the chance to be automatically considered for this scholarship, which aims to attract and support the next generation of leaders and innovators. Domestic, first-year, first-time students with a 3.6 GPA or higher who reside in Virginia and apply will receive automatic consideration and expedited decisions for the SBCommitment Scholarship. Women’s Golf Returns to Briar’s Creek to Start the Week3/8/2025 1:44:00 PM | Women's Golf