As the vibrant notes of the Razorback Marching Band fill Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, senior twirler Madison Leckbee stands out. A biological engineering major at the U of A, Leckbee is wrapping up a remarkable journey that seamlessly blends her love for twirling with her drive to solve real-world problems. Set to walk at graduation in May, she credits the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering for supporting her dual passions and helping her thrive.

Leckbee arrived at the U of A in the fall of 2021 to study engineering while also being a Razorback Twirler. Growing up in the small farming town of Elsberry, Missouri, she fell in love with twirling at age 9 after attending her first clinic, beginning lessons just a week later.

"After that, I never took the baton out of my hand," she recalls.

Meanwhile, her interest in engineering stemmed from watching floods devastate local farmers' land in her hometown along the Mississippi River.

"I hated seeing them lose their livelihoods," she says. "I wanted to use engineering to help."

Initially set on chemical engineering, Leckbee switched to biological engineering after a session of the First-Year Engineering Program, often referred to by its acronym FEP.

"I called my mom that night and said, 'I think I found what I'm supposed to do,'" she says.

Studying engineering is challenging without adding an extracurricular activity on top of the already demanding major.

"I was very concerned it'd be too much," Leckbee admits. However, twirling proved to be a good stress release. "Twirling is my creative outlet," she explains. "When I step on the field, I forget the week's stress. It refreshes me for schoolwork."

Leckbee also found support from FEP and the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, saying, "From day one, they showed me I could balance twirling and academics."

The First-Year Engineering Program helped Leckbee create a schedule for time management, and the department faculty supported her.

"There is never a time where if I'm stressed, I don't feel like I can reach out to the department faculty about it and tell them what's going on," Leckbee says.

The department's tight-knit community also played a key role. "It's like a family," Leckbee says. "We help each other with homework, celebrate birthdays and hang out in the student lounge — seniors to sophomores, we're all in it together."

Faculty members like teaching assistant professor Matthew McVey even cheered her on from the stands. "He'd never wave during a game — he didn't want to mess me up — but he'd find me after to say he saw me twirl. … This department is a special place," she says.

That support fueled her success in engineering and twirling. In 2024, during her senior season, the Razorback Twirlers won first place at the National Baton Twirling Championship in the Open Collegiate Halftime Division.

"Winning the national championship with my team was an incredible feeling, and having the BENG department behind me made it even more meaningful," Leckbee says. "I hadn't had a summer off from twirling since I was 10 years old, so to have that dedication acknowledged by my department—and supported—is something I'll never forget. Their encouragement made a big difference."

She also excelled in her classes and projects, most recently on a senior design project related to why she wanted to become an engineer: to keep people and the environment safe through stream restoration.

Leckbee and her team are working with Freese and Nichols on a project for the city of Siloam Springs to make Sager Creek safer and more accessible. "I like the whole city aspect of the project with them listening to what we have to say. … I really like the impact of what we do and how it helps people," Leckbee says.

After graduation, Leckbee will begin working as an associate engineer in water resources at Olsson in Fayetteville, a position that aligns with her passion for helping people and stream restoration. She credits the department with turning her goals into reality and helping her succeed in both engineering and twirling.  

"The BENG department helped me grow my confidence beyond the football field," she says. "Twirling has always been my world, but developing that same confidence in myself as an engineer has been life changing. My professors didn't just prepare me academically, they encouraged me, supported my schedule and believed in me even when I was balancing long practices and late nights. I'm incredibly grateful to be part of a department that lifts me up as both a student and an athlete."

Terry Howell Jr., head of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, says Leckbee's determination and follow-through will make her a great employee.

"I can't imagine managing the challenges of an engineering curriculum with the demands of practice, travel and game days," he says. "Madison did such a great job communicating her needs and using our support systems."

To high school students with big dreams — whether twirling, band or any other extracurricular activity — Leckbee has this advice: "Come to the University of Arkansas. Tell your advisers everything you want to do, and they'll help you get there. It's not easy, but you'll have all the support you need to grow and succeed."