It was fifty years ago that Bob Hall became the first official wheelchair finisher in Boston Marathon history. Since then, more than 1,800 wheelchair athletes have crossed that finish line—and this year, TLU alum Linden Williamson intends to be one of them.
But Williamson will have more than physical endurance and mental tenacity helping her cover the 26.2 miles. She’ll also carry the wish to honor a professor who changed the course of her life.
When Dr. Scott Bailey, a professor of psychology who’s been part of the Texas Lutheran University faculty for thirty years, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer, a wave of grief flooded the TLU community—and Williamson felt the devastation of that diagnosis. "When Scott was diagnosed with glioblastoma, I didn't know what I could do to help,” she said. “Now, I know I can make a difference for families like the Baileys through combining my passions of racing and research in partnership with NBTS Gray Nation Endurance."
Gray Nation Endurance is the official endurance program of the National Brain Tumor Society. Its mission is to raise awareness and money for research through individuals across the nation—people like Williamson—who want to make a difference. Athletes from all skill levels in numerous different sports dedicate their efforts to supporting NBTS by getting the word out and raising funds.
Williamson, who graduated TLU in 2024, is now a Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) scholar at UT Health’s Graduate School of Biomedical Science. She began wheelchair racing two years ago to balance her schoolwork with healthy habits and stay fit. She fell in love with the sport and is quickly rising to the top of the competitive field—not only contending at the professional level but also mentoring youth who are getting into the sport. In 2024, she was one of two American elite wheelchair athletes to be invited to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in Africa, where she placed third overall. This April, she’s gearing up for Boston, and using her platform to raise funds, through Gray Nation Endurance, to support research into glioblastoma and other brain cancers—and to honor Bailey.
“Scott wasn’t just a psychology professor at Texas Lutheran University,” she said, explaining that Bailey had helped her to face her own heath challenges, even giving her rides home when she couldn’t manage on her own. “He became a fixture in my fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) lab office.” The two presented their research across the globe. “He genuinely cared about every student he taught, going to incredible lengths to make sure we succeeded in class and in life.”
Williamson hopes that helping to further research into brain cancer will give hope to patients and their families, like Bailey and his wife, Charla, who serves as TLU’s Director of International Education.
“Scott and I are so proud that Linden was invited to participate in the Boston Marathon!” says Charla. “We are honored that she has chosen the National Brain Tumor Society as her fundraiser organization for the race. Scott and Linden researched and presented on many aspects of the brain and behavior over several years. This opportunity expands their efforts to assist in further research for glioblastoma and other types of brain cancer. We are excited to see her accomplishments up to and during the race!”
Every dollar donated goes directly toward research—and supports the hope of a brighter future for those diagnosed with brain cancer as well as the determination of a dedicated student and the professor who means the world to her.