Senior Circuit...Andrew BellebaumAndrew Bellebaum came to Wofford from Summerville, S.C., the same town that produced John McKissick, the winningest coach in football history (any level) with more than 560 victories. Bellebaum played basketball, though, and that played a role in his decision to attend Wofford.
“I came to Wofford because it is recognized as one of the best private colleges in the South and it has a reputation for preparing students for postgraduate work in numerous programs. I also wanted to stay in South Carolina for college and was given the opportunity to play Division I basketball, which was a goal of mine in high school.
“Unfortunately, as a biology major with three labs, I was forced to choose between school and basketball during my junior year and I chose to follow my ambitions in the classroom to prepare for postgraduate work.”
Aside from his two years on the basketball team, Bellebaum has been very involved in organizations and activities. He’s been treasurer for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, vice president of the Pre-Dental Society, and a member of Beta Beta Beta, Order of Omega, and Math Academy at Cleveland Street Elementary.
Academically speaking, Bellebaum hasn’t changed majors, but he has changed plans, switching from pre-pharmacy to pre-dental. He’s got a pretty good idea what he wants to do come graduation in May.
“I plan on attending dental school, hopefully at MUSC in Charleston,” he says. “I have completed the application process and am now waiting to hear back from different schools regarding interviews.”
Bellebaum’s favorite class so far had nothing to do with his major.
“My favorite class was an Interim class titled Digital Darkroom with Dr. Dave Whisnant. Learning about famous photographers and their work was a very interesting experience. The ability to capture moments in time with a camera is a remarkable thing.”
A memory that is captured in his mind came from his time on the hardwood.
“Beating Purdue in basketball my sophomore season had to be it,” he says. “We were the number one highlight on ESPN that day because we won on a last-second shot.”
So what advice would a former basketball player/future dentist have for first-year students?
“One, don’t take yourself too seriously,” he says. “And two, enjoy everything you are involved in because your time here disappears before you know it.”