A colossal clash of considerable cuteness has begun in the final round of the Beloit Baby Bracket Battle. It’s come down to the faculty—represented by Assistant Professor of Education and Youth Studies Jingjing Lou—versus the staff, represented by Archivist Fred Burwell. Voters from across campus should come to the Shaw Gallery in Logan Museum by Tuesday, April 17 (that's less than a week away, people!) to help crown one of these two as Beloit’s cutest baby.
Your intrepid reporter (Dan Bartlett, contest organizer) reached the two finalists by email yesterday. He asked Burwell what his strategy is for taking on such a formidable opponent as Lou, who has destroyed her competition in every round of this epic battle. His confident reply: “To paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, my strategy against such devastating cuteness is to ‘speak softly and parry with soulful eyes.’”
Lou, who now carries the cuteness of the entire faculty on her shoulders, is facing a powerful staff competitor in Archivist Burwell, a baby who has turned in solid performances against each of his opponents. I asked if she feels the pressure going into this final round.
She replied with the class we have all come to expect of the faculty that, “Baby Jingjing will keep smiling regardless of who wins the battle in the end.”
The winner of the contest will be revealed on April 18, Spring Day. That day is also “Babies’ Day Out” at the Logan Museum. Come and meet the newest members of the Beloit family as the informal Beloit parents’ social group will convene in the Shaw Gallery on the museum’s second floor between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for a play date. This event is being held in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit, Growing Up: Tools for the Work of Childhood which explores the material culture of childhood. Kid-themed snacks will also be provided and there will be fun games and activities for kids of all ages. You can’t find this many babies in one spot outside of a daycare, and because their moms and dads are Beloiters, you know they’re extra cute! Watch for more information about this event in the Terrarium.