Making History: Madelyn Birling's Journey from Student-Athlete to Commencement Speaker 

When Madelyn Birling took the stage as Bryant & Stratton College’s Wisconsin campus 2025 Commencement alumni speaker, she represented far more than academic achievement. Her story embodies the perfect balance of athletic excellence, scholarly dedication, and community leadership that defines the B&SC experience. 

A Legacy Born from Family Tradition 

Growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin, Madelyn was immersed in a world where baseball and softball weren’t just sports—they were a way of life. With siblings Derek, Samantha, and Sydney sharing her family’s athletic DNA, and both sisters pursuing collegiate softball careers, Madelyn’s path seemed destined for the diamond. Yet her journey to Bryant & Stratton College began not with her own ambitions, but through witnessing her sister’s transformative experience on campus. 

“I was very intrigued by all of their experiences,” Madelyn reflects on her family’s business career paths, explaining her initial uncertainty about her academic direction. What drew her to B&SC wasn’t just the family influence in business, but the welcoming environment her sister described—a community that would soon become the foundation for her own remarkable achievements. 

Academic Excellence and Community Leadership 

Graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Business, she distinguished herself not only through coursework but through active participation in the Peer Mentor Program, where she guided fellow students through their collegiate transitions. Her dedication to academic excellence earned her the prestigious Beta Sigma Chi Honors Award, recognizing her outstanding scholastic achievements and commitment to the B&SC community. 

What set Madelyn apart as a student was her appreciation for the collaborative learning environment that defines the Business program at B&SC. “My favorite part about the business program was how open everyone was to help, even if they weren’t our professor” she explains. “If I was struggling with a question and my professor wasn’t present at school that day, I could go and ask any other professor, and they would be more than willing to help.” 

This supportive academic culture found its embodiment in professors like Miss. Tracy and Mr. Suffering, who made lasting impressions through their genuine energy and personal investment in their students. “They made a lasting impression on me because of their energy when we came in the room and how they were interested in us as people not just as their students,” Madelyn recalls, highlighting the personalized attention that transforms educational experiences. 

Historic Athletic Achievements 

While Madelyn’s academic accomplishments are impressive, her athletic legacy at Bryant & Stratton College is nothing short of historic. As a key player on the softball team, she helped achieve what no previous team had accomplished in school history. The team reached the national tournament for two consecutive years — a feat that already distinguished them among B&SC athletics programs. 

But their achievements went beyond mere participation. Madelyn and her teammates made school history by becoming the first B&SC team to win not just one, but three games at the World Series level. This unprecedented success didn’t happen overnight; it was built through dedication, teamwork, and the kind of resilience that defines championship athletes. 

Wisdom for Future Student-Athletes 

Balancing the demands of collegiate athletics with rigorous academic requirements requires more than talent — it demands strategy, discipline, and the wisdom to seek support when needed. Madelyn’s advice to future student-athletes reflects hard-earned insights from her successful navigation of both worlds. “Set apart a certain time where you are going to sit down in the library and focus on your homework for an hour each day,” she advises, emphasizing the power of consistent, dedicated study time. “It seems like something little, but it does help a lot.” 

Perhaps more importantly, Madelyn advocates for vulnerability and seeking assistance when needed. “My biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to ask for help because asking for help does not mean that you are weak or stupid, it means that you were trying your best.” This perspective reflects the maturity and emotional intelligence that made her a natural choice for commencement speaker — someone who understands that true strength lies in recognizing one’s limitations and seeking support from the community around you. 

Looking Toward the Future 

As Madelyn prepares to transition from her time at Bryant & Stratton College, her plans reflect the same ambition and dedication that characterized her undergraduate experience. She intends to transfer to a four-year university where she’ll continue both her academic journey and her softball career. 

Her selection as commencement speaker represents more than recognition of past achievements — it’s an acknowledgment of her potential to inspire others and her embodiment of the values that Bryant & Stratton College seeks to instill in all its graduates. 

A Legacy of Excellence 

Madelyn Birling’s story at Bryant & Stratton College illustrates the transformative power of finding the right educational community. From a young woman initially uncertain about her career direction to a decorated student-athlete and honored graduate, her journey demonstrates how supportive faculty, engaged peers, and personal determination can combine to create extraordinary outcomes.