When the USF Herd of Thunder Marching Band takes the field, fans hear the power of the music. Among the 350 musicians are future computer engineers, AI professionals and cybersecurity leaders who prove that technical rigor and creative passion can march in step.
A dozen students in the band are part of the newly launched Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. They are enrolled in some of USF鈥檚 most demanding STEM programs in computer science, cybersecurity and computer engineering.
鈥淗OT truly is the university鈥檚 band,鈥� said Director of Athletic Bands Trevor Butts.
鈥淭hese students embody the discipline it takes to succeed in music and in technology. It鈥檚 exciting to see them carry that same drive into two very different arenas.鈥�
Stefan Dedic is among those students. A junior computer science major who serves as the band鈥檚 trumpet section leader, he is also a teaching assistant for Calculus I. He helps other students succeed in what many consider one of the most demanding early-college courses at USF.
鈥淚 have to grade a lot of assignments, help students in class, and still find time for my own studies,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 a lot and it gets tough. But I enjoy helping people.鈥�
The band provides a mental reset.
鈥淢arching band teaches discipline and precision and those are the same things I use when I鈥檓 programming,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gives me a break from my STEM classes and lets me come back clear-minded and ready for class.
鈥淎fter I graduate, I would like to work as a software engineer in application or web development, embedded systems or in test systems, working on software that connects with the hardware and is applied to the real world.鈥�
Freshman Aidan Baez, a cybersecurity major and trumpet player, chose USF because it offered both the Bellini College and the Herd of Thunder. His interest in cybersecurity began early.
鈥淢y grandpa was into IT, and I was always messing with computers,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s I was applying to colleges, I realized this was the path for me. I want to understand what goes on before and after something happens online.鈥�
He was especially excited to join the first class of students under the Bellini College name. 鈥淭he community here is great. There鈥檚 always someone to help, whether it鈥檚 advising, tutoring, or other students in my major,鈥� he said.
He sees the same teamwork in his academic and musical worlds.
鈥淓very day, I鈥檓 talking to people in my major to figure out new ways to solve problems. It鈥檚 the same teamwork we use to make the band sound its best.鈥�
Other Bellini students in the Herd of Thunder echo those connections between music, focus and friendship.
Savanna Marks, a computer engineering major who plays clarinet, said it helps alleviate the stresses that come with a rigorous degree program.
鈥淚 hope to work for either Microsoft or any other major tech firm. I want to work on the computers and hardware to help aid in advancing technology in order to help people live better everyday lives and to help increase technology overall.鈥�
To achieve that career goal, she said, means she has to be exceptionally focused on her classes, which can be draining.
鈥淎fter a rough day, coming to practice and seeing my friends always fixes my mood. Whether we鈥檙e learning a new drill or rehearsing, being with my friends in a happy environment always makes my day better.鈥�
Samuel Shivarig, a cybersecurity major, hopes to make the internet safer for everyone and help prevent cyberattacks. He, too, appreciates the supportive culture found in the band.
鈥淭he best part of HOT is always having that second family of friends to help support you.鈥�
Travis Haynes, a first-year computer engineering major who plays the clarinet, wants to 鈥渃reate cool things using computers, programs and robotics.鈥� He hasn鈥檛 gotten into his major coursework yet, but he hopes to play cool music along the way.
鈥淚 love music, and HOT gives me the chance to play great music with loads of other people in a relaxed and enjoyable way.鈥�
Whether performing under stadium lights or debugging code, these students serve as examples of the way precision, creativity, academic rigor and artistry can march in step.
