Campus Celebrity: Madeleine Bell

Name: Madeleine Bell

Class: 2017

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Major: Marketing and Environmental Studies

What are you involved in on-campus?

I’m Freshman Representative for Women in Science, committee chair for Health and Wellness in Wall, a spinning instructor at Reily, a Green Wave Ambassador, and I’m a Newcomb Scholar. 

Explain Newcomb Scholars, and what you think you might want to research.

Basically, Newcomb Scholars is a four-year program for twenty undergraduate women per class with the goal of educating future women leaders through seminars and research. For my senior independent research project, I’m looking at the genetics behind each side of domestic violence cases, as well as the aftermath of domestic violence, which was inspired by my past work with the women’s community clinic in San Francisco.

Do you ever have a hard time balancing your classes with all of your activities?

It’s just my first semester, and so far it hasn’t been too bad, but I’m usually really tired—it’ll get to be Friday, and I’m exhausted from the week. I’ll definitely only make it out on Friday and Saturday nights, for the most part, with everything else going on. But sometimes, I find studying and balancing clubs to be kind of challenging,

This semester, who is your favorite professor?

Melissa Dickey, my creative writing professor. She’s amazing—she’s made it a goal for everyone in the class to find their own writing voice, and their own unique style through reading the books she’s given us. I’ve found myself through creative writing—it’s a really good class.

What’s your favorite part about being a Tulane student so far?

Probably just all the different things you can get involved with. You know, everyone is busy, but I think there’s always time to do everything you’re passionate about.

What are your summer plans?

This summer, I’m either taking courses at the university that my mom is the dean of, or I’m looking at an internship in Washington, D.C. or interning with an environmental economist.

Any advice for incoming freshman?

Just get involved! From what I’ve been able to see, you can dive in first semester and get really involved, and then later draw yourself out of the things that might not benefit you  and really get into the ones that you love.

Best advice before leaving for college?

My dad once watched Mean Girls, and the one line he got out of it was “Don’t have sex. Because you will get pregnant, and die!” so when I was on the plane coming to college, that’s what he said.