Chap Swap: R.J. Casey ’26 and President Chapdelaine switch roles
is no stranger to leadership—he’s one of 43 student-athletes from across the U.S. who serve on the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. But on March 3, he took on an even bigger role: President of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
A neuroscience major and American studies minor from Nashville, Tennessee, Casey switched roles with President Andrea Chapdelaine for the day as part of the second annual 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ “Chap Swap.”
“I was interested in participating in Chap Swap because I’ve had a really great time at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ over the past four years, and a really great last two under President Chapdelaine’s leadership,” Casey said. “So, I was really interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes of how the school operates and how decisions are made.”
Throughout the day, Casey led and participated in Chapdelaine’s student life, finance and senior team meetings, while Chapdelaine attended Casey’s classes, language study and club meetings; ate lunch in the dining hall with Casey and his friends; and even joined Casey and some of his teammates for a shoot-around at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Luce Field House.