COMMUNITYNEWS

New students arrive among new construction, football Birmingham-Southern welcomes its largest freshman class in school history

freshman class and an outstanding group of transfer students.” About 120 of the new students will be playing one of BSC’s seven new NCAA Division III sports, supporting the college’s move to D-III athletics as a major step toward its long-term plan to grow and sustain enrollment at about 1,800 students in the next few years. BSC Provost Dr. Kathleen Murray, however, emphasizes that the academic integrity of the college will not be compromised by this planned growth. “We have made a commitment to maintain the 12-to-1 student-to- faculty ratio throughout this process,” she says, “and we are doing so this fall without increasing the number of adjunct faculty. And, as our enrollment continues to grow in BSC's large group of new students, including a record freshman class, fill the Bill Battle Coliseum floor for the the future, we will add full-time Opening of School Convocation on Move-In Day Aug. 25. faculty accordingly.” The spring semester on the Hilltop 326 last fall, which included 292 In May 2006, the college’s Board ended in the midst of much freshmen and 34 transfers. Overall of Trustees announced that the anticipated change for the coming enrollment is expected to grow from athletics program would move from fall. Three large construction 1,207 last year to about 1,315. The the NCAA Division I level to non- projects, the acquisition of an freshman class included 14 National scholarship NCAA Division III, apartment complex, a new major Merit Scholars compared to six last citing both financial and philo- course of study, one football team, year; 60 percent of the freshman sophical considerations. It also six other additional new sports, and class was male students compared to announced that it was reviving the three months of summer later, the 36 percent last fall. Additionally, the football program, which last took opening of the new school year academic profile of the freshman the field in 1939, along with the heralded the untold excitement. class was virtually unchanged over addition of six other sports for men Classes began Aug. 29 with more previous years in terms of high and women. Other new sports than 500 new students, including school grade-point average and include men’s and women’s indoor the largest number of new freshmen average ACT and SAT scores. and outdoor track and field and in Birmingham-Southern history. “This is a significant accom- men’s and women’s lacrosse. The school-record 452 freshmen plishment for our college, our Pollick says that while an increase were joined by 54 transfer students. Admission Office, and our coaches,” in enrollment was expected with the Another three freshmen and 25 says Birmingham-Southern President additional sports, there are several transfers enrolled in January for the Dr. David Pollick. “We set lofty other factors intertwined that are spring 2007 term. goals and many people worked helping the college forge ahead with The 506 new students compares to diligently to bring in a record its plan for growth.

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“We knew that a Division III honors track in international as Spanish language, environmental athletics program would be attractive business has been added to the issues, and community service. to those outstanding young men and curriculum as well, and other majors An important piece of the plan for women who wanted to stay in which will appeal to today’s students growth includes continued support Alabama to continue their athletics are under consideration. by alumni and friends, and Pollick careers beyond high school, but A prelude to the new Urban says that enrollment is not the only couldn’t before,” he says. “Now they Environmental Studies major was thing growing at Birmingham- can, and they are, and on top of that offered to new BSC students in a Southern. Fundraising for the they are doing so in a high-quality pilot two-week summer course academic programs and liberal arts academic environment. project in August. About 20 new scholarships, as well as for athletics, But we also knew we had to make students enrolled in the Ecological is growing as well. our campus environment, our on- Disasters and Human Health “Our alumni and friends campus living arrangements, our Course, which allowed the students contributed almost $17 million in academic programming, and even to arrive at their new school two the past fiscal year that ended May our scholarship offerings attractive weeks prior to the traditional move- 31, including major gifts in support as well, and those are just some of in date. of academic and interdisciplinary the seeds we are planting that will Dr. Pamela Hanson, associate programs that are at the heart of our ultimately grow Birmingham- professor of biology at BSC who institution, including international Southern for the future.” taught the course, says it was study and travel and service learning, Among the seeds that have been appropriate and well timed, noting among other initiatives,” he notes. planted and nurtured over the past the growing interest in urban “Major gifts also have been received several months are construction environmental studies and a number to provide scholarships, specifically projects that welcomed the new and of grant proposals in the works. The to provide need-based support to returning students in various phases. initiative was completely faculty make sure we are able to welcome The new donor-funded Admission driven, says Provost Murray, and students who qualify to come to Welcome Center, located just east of grew out of discussions concerning Birmingham-Southern, but have the Striplin Fitness and Recreation student retention. significant financial needs. Center as you enter campus, will be “The project allows its 20 “And our annual giving from ready for occupancy by the Office of freshman participants to interact alumni continues to be strong as Admission staff in early September. with five or six faculty members, as well, with unrestricted annual gifts It will serve as the front door to the well as provides an extra two weeks from alumni in the past two years college for prospective students and to adjust to college life and get a being the second and third highest their parents and other visitors. jump start on the academic climate in the past decade. Gifts to the Phase one of the new Football at ’Southern,” she explains. Parents Fund have set all-time Complex also will be completed in The students received an Interim records the past two years, as well, the fall. term credit for completing the growing by 152 percent.” The completion of the first phase course. of the donor-funded Urban In January, Birmingham-Southern Environmental Park, which will purchased the adjacent and recently serve as a place of recreation and renovated Hilltop Terrace Apart- leisure for students, as well as an ments and have enclosed them outdoor laboratory for the new within the college’s gates. Renamed Urban Environmental Studies major, Hilltop Village by the students, the is under way as well. (More details apartments provide an additional on these projects, as well as 375 beds for students and include a photographs, are located elsewhere swimming pool and club house, in the Community News section.) which will eventually be home to a The new Urban Environmental convenience store. In addition to Studies major was formally offering a more independent living approved by the faculty in the spring environment for students, the Current BSC students (in gold T-shirts) welcome this first- and will officially become a part of apartments also offer theme housing year student as he enters campus to move into his new the curriculum in fall 2008. An for those interested in subjects such residence hall home.

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Now?”, she used a current cell Faculty award winner delivers phone commercial as a metaphor for the day by asking graduates Birmingham-Southern’s which voices they could hear right now. In addition to the praise of Commencement address, family and friends, she encouraged them to “listen for all the voices that two honorary degrees awarded have enabled and empowered you to reach this milestone in your lives.” Then citing the voices of Mr. Rogers, the five women involved Dr. Bill Nicholas, James A. Wood Tuan told us, ‘to think of Einstein. in Moses’ childhood, Truman Professor of History, addressed the For it is in the moments when we Capote’s The Grass Harp, and others, Birmingham-Southern class of 2007 stand back up in the face of that she wove together a message during the college’s Commencement failure that the lesson truly begins.’” encouraging graduates to listen for ceremonies May 26. In addition, Nicholas told the voice of God and for the Nicholas was named the BSC graduates about the unexpected voices within to help them write Outstanding Educator of the Year for happenings that accompany each of their own stories well. She also the 2005-06 academic year in our lives and advised them to use asked them to “remember to listen recognition of excellence in all their BSC education to carry them to your pain, your panic, and the aspects of teaching. The award through difficult times. “A liberal things that are scaring you right includes a cash stipend and an arts education teaches us that you now. God’s voice is present to invitation to speak at the next year’s cannot control the world around remind you that even in times of Commencement. you, but you can control your pain, you are not alone.” He delivered the keynote address response.” Birmingham-Southern also at the 148th event at the Boutwell Birmingham-Southern’s presented an accomplished husband BSC’s 2005-06 Outstanding Auditorium in downtown Commencement Day began with the and wife with honorary degrees Educator of the Year Dr. Bill Birmingham when Birmingham- Baccalaureate Service that morning during Commencement in Nicholas, who is James A. Southern conferred 306 bachelor’s at First United Methodist Church recognition of distinguished careers Wood Professor of History, addressed the 2007 graduating degrees, 21 master’s degrees (the in downtown Birmingham. and service to the college. class during this year’s largest graduate class in the college’s Rev. Libba Stinson, a member William Cabaniss of Commencement. history), and two honorary degrees. of the BSC Board of Trustees and Birmingham, former Alabama In his address, Nicholas urged pastor of Grace United Methodist senator and former U.S. Ambassador graduates to expand their learning Church in Auburn, delivered the to the , received an and interests beyond their degrees Baccalaureate address. Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. and shared with everyone his dream In her sermon, “Can You Hear Me He served in the Alabama House of of playing the piano for an audience. “If a professor at BSC was able to change your life in the last four years, I can almost guarantee it is because of a part of their life that brought in a fresh perspective, a different angle or edge,” he said. Nicholas also related several stories and anecdotes, including a reference to the persistence, repeated failures, and eventual success of Albert Einstein told by guest lecturer Dr. Li Fu Tuan. ‘“When we are discouraged by the memory of our own academic failures, it helps,’ Rev. Libba Stinson, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn, delivered the sermon during the Baccalaureate. Stinson (center) is pictured with BSC President Dr. David Pollick and Provost Dr. Kathleen Murray prior to the service. 4 / ’southern COMMUNITYNEWS

Representatives from 1978-82 and in the Alabama Senate from 1982-90. A leader in the Birmingham business To become the first of its kind in state community for many years, he is BSC to offer new Urban Environmental former owner of Precision Grinding Inc., a successful steel plate Studies major processing and metal machine business. Catherine Cabaniss, gifted Birmingham-Southern, in a outdoor teaching will also serve as a artist and wife of William Cabaniss, progressive step toward a greener place of recreation and leisure for received an Honorary Doctor of campus, will offer a new Urban students. Humanities degree. She aggressively Environmental Studies major Architects are working to design the represented the work of other beginning fall 2008. The program, the lake to capture storm water runoff, American artists within the first of its kind in the state of Alabama, which is a major threat to this state’s ambassador’s residence during her will focus on the study of the urban aquatic ecosystem, Duncan said. husband’s three-year term in , ecological environment and how Alabama ranks No. 1 in the United introducing artists and their work to people live in and interact with the States for aquatic biodiversity. Storm the citizens of the Czech Republic. environment. water runoff greatly impacts this In the late ’90s, she joined a group The new major was developed population. of women to form the Alabama through the work of the Environ- “We can show the rest of the country Committee for the National mental Studies Committee chaired by an example of how to deal with storm Museum of Women in the Arts, a Dr. Scot Duncan, BSC assistant water runoff in a way that is coalition of women who believe in professor of biology. Like other aesthetically pleasing,” noted Duncan. the importance of the creative environmental studies programs, it will The new major and Urban contributions of Alabama’s female include courses from across the liberal Environmental Park further advance artists. arts curriculum on ethics, politics, and the college’s commitment to grow societal issues, and not just science. enrollment to about 1,800 over the Duncan says urban environments are next few years. quite messy, and it is important to “Providing curricular offerings such find ways of making urban centers as the Urban Environmental Studies healthier for the natural ecosystems major that are built first and foremost that sustain life. upon a common foundation in the Approved by faculty vote earlier this liberal arts, but that also are attractive year, the innovative course of study and useful to students and society, is will become an integral part of the an important part of our overall Urban Environmental Park, currently growth strategy,” said BSC Provost Dr. under construction on the west side of Kathleen Murray. campus near the old fraternity row site The Urban Environmental Studies and the intramural fields. Phase I, major is initially funded by a Receiving honorary degrees during which is nearing completion, includes Community Foundation of Greater Commencement were William and a plaza, terraced seating for the Birmingham grant awarded to the Catherine Cabaniss. intramural fields, irrigation, and college that will be used to seek out landscape design. Phase II will include and hire a program director. A search development of a lake/plant wetland is under way, with hopes to have the and boardwalk. When completed, this director in place by fall 2008. urban oasis conducive for hands-on

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two-thirds of the time in religious life and one-third of the time as a Q&A personal counselor in the college’s then one-year-old Counseling Center. In the early ’80s, I became An interview with BSC’s recently the counseling center’s director and divided my time between serving retired dean of chapel there and serving as chaplain. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to perform weddings, baby blessings, funerals, and baptisms; I have Editor’s Note: ’Southern magazine developed weekly worship services recently sat down with Dr. Stewart and given sermons; and I have Jackson, who retired June 30 as dean of helped develop the Service-Learning chapel after 28 years of service to Interim at BSC. I’ve worked with the Birmingham-Southern. During those Service-Learning program each year years, he served as the heart of campus either locally, nationally, or life, offering pastoral ministry to all internationally. I also directed BSC’s members of the college and in all faith New Student Orientation 12 years traditions. A native of Birmingham, and led the college’s former Jackson received a bachelor’s degree Ambassador Program. from Auburn University and both master of divinity and doctor of Q. What were your strategic and ministry degrees from the Candler faith goals as a chaplain? School of Theology at Emory University. A. My goals were pretty simple. I Here are his reflections on his career sought to be true to myself and my and accomplishments. faith and to connect to all parts of the college. I wanted to be vitally related to everyone on campus— Q. How and when did you first Jackson, standing, with longtime chapel from those in the President’s Office receive your calling to ministry? colleague Sue Powell. and the trustees to the maintenance A. I think of anyone’s calling as a staff and students. long conversation that begins before BSC’s great reputation, and I always we are ever born. Among the topics wanted to work with college Q. What unique personal or in my conversation that have been students and be a part of their lives professional strengths do you important and sacred to me are: as they matured into adults. When a feel you brought to BSC? growing up in the United Methodist position for chaplain opened at BSC A. I think my strongest ability is to part of Christianity; John Wesley’s in 1979, I called and talked to Mike be a good listener. I also have a balanced emphasis of scripture, Harper, who was my former youth great love and affection for the tradition, experience, and reason; director and the college’s departing people of BSC and the institution balancing personal piety and social chaplain. He told me there was only itself. justice; being married and having one day left to apply. I drove from children, and now grandchildren; Atlanta the next morning and turned Q. How did your role as a the grace of the sacraments; and the in my résumé at 8:15 a.m. The day chaplain change over the years power of forgiveness. after that, Dr. [Neal] Berte (former as more types of faith were BSC president) called me for an integrated into the life of the Q. What interested you in interview. college, and how did you face bringing your ministerial work that challenge? to BSC? Q. What have been your primary A. Most students at BSC are from a A. Before I came to BSC, I was a duties over the years? Christian experience. I am among member of the North Georgia A. My initial appointment was those who think we are enriched Methodist Conference and served working as the chaplain of the when we get outside of our three congregations. I knew about college. This meant that I worked traditions to learn about others.

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Jackson sings to a little orphan girl during a Service-Learning Interim trip to Zimbabwe, Africa.

that thought was pretty new and just starting to gain credibility. Dr. Berte was very open to it. And Bob Slagter also was very supportive. We thought, rather than just teaching students about service, what if they were actually doing it, while reading And I believe the key to that is Most also are respectful of others. about it? The college’s first service- respect. I’ve had little difficulty But students are growing up during a learning project was in 1985, where talking to anyone about their time of defensiveness among I took two BSC students, along with religion as long I was being religions. Fanatical fundamentalism a church group, to Florida for a respectful. Also, I grew up in a time is now a part of all the major Habitat for Humanity project. Then when significant adults taught me to religions. Fortunately, there are in 1988, we were ready to take our “get over myself” and realize that I places like BSC that challenge first trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. Since was not the only one in the world, students to have a faith that seeks then, we’ve done numerous projects nor the only perspective. understanding. overseas.

Q. Who among the campus Q. What have been your most Q. What will you miss most community influenced you memorable experiences? about BSC? the most? A. I have met so many wonderful A. I will miss the people. Many A. It would take the rest of this people through my travels, in have allowed me to be a pastor to edition of ’Southern to list them all. churches, on the campus, and them, and I will never forget them or I know I was deeply appreciative of locally. Of the thousands of that sacred privilege. late BSC French Professor Diane conversations I’ve had with students, Brown. She taught a lot more than I remember one in particular. I was Q. What are your plans for French; she taught about life. She talking to a group of students about retirement? was a well-respected and tenured their calling in life and what they A. I’ll be working full-time with faculty member who worked with would do after college, and one United Methodist Pastoral me to create the Service-Learning student said, “You know, college is Counseling, which is a counseling program, along with Dr. Bob Slagter the real world. It’s just not the program for pastors, church [professor of political science]. Late whole world.” Seeing student minds members, and the public.I’ll work Mathematics Professor Dr. Natwarlal and hearts grow in relationship to with married couples, families in “Bos” Bosmia was a beautiful person service around the world has been transition, and people undergoing to be around. He loved God, loved deeply gratifying to me. great stress. Our central office is in people, and loved family. He would Birmingham and I’ll also be working often arrive on campus at 2 a.m. to Q. What have been your major out of offices in Gadsden and begin his day. I have and do accomplishments during your Huntsville.I’ve been doing this sort appreciate the servant leadership of career? of work for more or less 30 years Dr. Neal Berte and the courage of A. With the support of Kristin and will be able to focus completely people like Terry Goodrick, Tom Harper [service-learning director], on it now. In terms of my Gibbs, the late Barbara Lester, Bill Sue Powell [administrative assistant connection with BSC, I am a big Nicholas, Bob Shelton, Joe Dean, to Jackson], and many others, we supporter of Rev. John Richardson and so many more. established the Service-Learning and his ministry here as the program at BSC. In the ’20s, there chaplain, and I will remain Q. What are your thoughts on was a popular motto which stated connected to the college through the the strength of the religious “education serves.” The thought was relationships I have made over the community at BSC? that students are not just in college years. The people on campus I’ve A. I believe the religious to learn to make more money. They worked with are special to me and community is very strong at are also here to make something of I’ll never forget them. Birmingham-Southern. The themselves and their communities. majority of BSC students believe in What fell into my lap was the God and prayer, and most students opportunity to organize it and call it come from Christian traditions. service learning. In the early ’80s,

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Alumnus named to lead New campus construction campus ministry efforts at projects continue in Birmingham-Southern various phases

Birmingham-Southern is undergoing one of the biggest years of construction in its history as the college’s The Rev. John Richardson, a 2000 summa cum three large projects continue. laude and Phi Beta Kappa Birmingham-Southern (Top photo): Phase I of the college’s new Urban graduate and a United Methodist minister, has been Environmental Park area is near completion as named the new chaplain at BSC. He replaced contractors finish installing the plaza, seating longtime Dean of Chapel Dr. Stewart Jackson arrangements, irrigation, and landscape design. Phase II who retired this summer after 28 years of of park construction will include development of a service to the college. lake/plant wetland and boardwalk. The park is located Richardson assumed his new position July 1 on the west end of campus adjacent to the residence hall after serving three years as associate pastor of quad. It will serve as both a place of recreation and First United Methodist Church in New Albany, leisure for students, as well as an academic laboratory Miss. Prior to his ministry in New Albany, he for the college’s new Urban Environmental Studies was circuit minister for the Stokesley Circuit of major. the British Methodist Church as part of a one- (Middle photo): The new Admission Welcome Center year exchange through the British-American was set to be finished Sept. 10. When completed, the Ministry Program. center will be the new home for the college’s Office of His chaplaincy training includes serving at Admission. Located near the main campus entrance and Northside Hospital in Atlanta; Hospice just east of the Striplin Fitness and Recreation Center, Atlanta; United Methodist Children’s Home in the facility will serve as a formal point of entry for Decatur, Ga.; and Children’s Hospital in prospective students and their parents and other visitors Birmingham. A proficient musician, to campus. The center also is across the street from the Richardson also has held positions across the one-stop Student Services Building, where prospective South as a music leader and pianist in camping students can get questions answered about financial aid. and youth ministry, including summers at (Bottom photo): Phase I of BSC’s new athletics Camp Sumatanga in the North Alabama complex is well under way. Phase I of construction on Richardson Conference of the United Methodist Church the athletics building includes a training room, locker and Blue Lake Camp in the Alabama-West Florida room, and weight room for the football program. The Conference. athletics building and practice field are scheduled to be Following graduation from BSC, he earned his completed in early September. The state-of-the art master of divinity at the Candler School of Theology competition field also will be complete by the end of at Emory University, where he received the prestigious September and the eight-lane regulation track Woodruff Fellowship, its top scholarship. He was surrounding the field will be finished in November. ordained an Elder in Full Connection in June 2006 by Phase II of the project will include a stadium, offices the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United and additional locker rooms in the athletics building, a Methodist Church. press box, and a concession area. Richardson originally is from Hattiesburg, Miss., and is a fourth-generation BSC graduate. His wife, Jasmine Hodges of Thomasville, Ala., is a 1999 magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa BSC graduate.

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BSC receives accolades from national college guides

Birmingham-Southern has received praises recently from The Princeton Review and the Fiske Guide to Colleges. According to The Princeton Review, the Master of Arts in Public and Private Management program at BSC is an outstanding business school. The New York- based education service company selected the school for inclusion for the first time in its 2008 edition of Best 290 Business Schools. The Princeton Review recommends the college’s MPPM program to its readers and Web site users as one of the best places to earn a master’s in business. It compiles the book’s ratings and ranking lists based on institutional data it collects from the schools and its surveys of more than 19,000 students attending the schools profiled. The guide will be available in bookstores Oct. 9. Birmingham-Southern also is one of the nation’s “best value” undergraduate institutions, says The Princeton Review. The latest edition of its book America’s Best Value Colleges, which profiles 165 colleges chosen for their excellent academics, generous financial aid packages, and/or relatively low costs of attendance, commends BSC for “its rank among the nation’s best (and virtually always in the state of Alabama) in percentage of all graduates accepted to dental, health, and medical-related programs.” The publication also includes a three-page profile on each college with information on academics, admission, financial aid, student body, and campus life. The list is available at www.princetonreview.com. In addition, Birmingham- Southern is included in the 2008 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. The college is one of 26 private institutions chosen as “best buys” based on the quality of academic offerings in relation to the cost of attendance. The 24th edition of the book is available in bookstores and online.

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Three new members join Birmingham-Southern Board of Trustees

Page Terry Watts Birmingham-Southern welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees this summer, one of whom is a BSC alumnus. New trustees are G. Ruffner Page Jr. of Birmingham, president psychology from Vanderbilt University and completed a of McWane Inc.; Bill Terry of Birmingham, a partner in Highland graduate degree at the University of Virginia’s Darden School Associates Inc.; and John Watts of Huntsville, founder and of Business. resident manager of Evans, Watts, and Schrimsher Wealth Terry has worked in the financial services industry since 1981 Management Group of Wachovia Securities. and specializes in serving healthcare clients. Prior to co- The elections were approved at the annual meetings of the founding Highland Associates, he worked at the Investment North Alabama and Alabama-West Florida conferences of the Management Consulting Group of Interstate/Johnson Lane United Methodist Church. Securities, advising a national client base of primarily retirement In addition, longtime board member Carl Bailey of plan assets. He graduated from Davidson College with a Birmingham, retired president of BellSouth Telecommu- bachelor’s degree in philosophy and is a chartered financial nications, was elected the new chair of the board, replacing analyst. James Stephens of Birmingham, chair of EBSCO Industries Inc., Watts, a 1986 Birmingham-Southern graduate, specializes in whose term ended. providing customized investment solutions for high net worth Page joined McWane in 1993 and worked in several aspects individuals and is fully engaged with local merger and before being named president of the company in 1999. Prior to acquisition activity in partnership with the Capital Markets McWane, he held management positions at National Bank of Group of Wachovia in Charlotte, N.C. He remains active at BSC Commerce, the Remington Fund, and Bankers Trust Co. in New serving as the vice president of athletics on the BSC Alumni York and Atlanta. He earned a double degree in philosophy and Board, of which he is past president.

Honors Day Pollick attends Annapolis Group 2007—Birmingham- Southern alumna Jill meeting to gauge validity Balch Coon (center) of college rankings presented the 2007 Honors Convocation Birmingham-Southern President Dr. David Pollick was among a address April 26. Coon, a 1992 BSC group of 80 liberal arts college presidents who met this summer to graduate and formally endorse the development of an alternative format for director of education assessing commercial college rankings. and programs for At the annual meeting of the Annapolis Group, held in June in the nonprofit Baltimore, Md., members announced a new Web-based initiative that organization ENACT Inc., gave a speech entitled will provide more interactive and meaningful ways to aid students “You’re the Inspiration,” where she shared how and their parents in the college selection process. The organization she was inspired by faculty and peers as an said it planned to work closely with the National Association of undergraduate student at BSC and how she is Independent Colleges and Universities and other education groups inspired by the students that she works with every day. In her current position at ENACT, she that have begun creating a similar tool to provide prospective uses creative drama and drama therapy students with more candid information. techniques to teach social and emotional skills The Annapolis Group is an association of about 115 of the nation’s to New York City public school students and leading national independent liberal arts colleges. The member their families. Shown with Coon are BSC institutions meet annually to share mutual interests and information President Dr. David Pollick and Provost Dr. that will strengthen their respective educational programs. Kathleen Murray.

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Birmingham-Southern College Calendar of Events BSC president September 7-28 Plot Influential Art Exhibition, a national invitational receives high ratings printmaking exhibition, M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Durbin Gallery, Doris Wainwright Kennedy Art Center/Azar Art at national media Studios, reception on opening day at 5 p.m., 205/226-4928. conference September 20-23 Miss Julie Theatrical Production, an updated translation written by BSC Professor of Theatre Alan Litsey, Sept. 20-22 at Birmingham- 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 at 2:30 p.m., BSC College Theatre/ Southern President Theatre One, 205/226-4780. Dr. David Pollick set the bar high for a September 21 Black & Gold Preview Day for high school seniors, campus, number of guest 205/226-4696. speakers at the 2007 September 22 Destination: Pluto Planetarium Show, 2 p.m., Robert R. How Colleges Can Meyer Planetarium, 205/226-4771. Obtain National and Regional Publicity September 30 Mildred Allen Faculty Recital (voice), 2:30 p.m., Hill Recital conference held in Hall, 205/226-4950. June in Baltimore. Pollick Pollick’s October 5-26 Lisa Michitti Art Exhibition, featuring paintings by the 1993 participation in the BSC graduate and artist/designer, in conjunction with the session “Communicating in a Crisis” Sloss Artists Iron Pour, M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Durbin Gallery, Doris Wainwright Kennedy Art Center/Azar Art earned him the honor of being the Studios, reception on opening day at 5 p.m., 205/226-4928. conference’s highest-rated speaker. Of the 106 ratings of his talk, he pulled 96 October 6 Family Day, campus, 205/226-4922. “excellent” marks. The annual conference, sponsored by October 6 Football Homecoming vs. DePauw University, 1:30 p.m., the marketing consultancy firm Keith Regions Park in Hoover, 205/226-4912. Moore Associates, brings together more than 200 media relations and October 7 William DeVan Faculty Recital (piano), 2:30 p.m., communications professionals from Hill Recital Hall, 205/226-4950. colleges and universities across the October 11 EcoFest VII, to benefit the college’s Southern Environmental country to receive insight from key Center, 6:30 p.m., WorkPlay multimedia complex, higher education reporters, editors, Birmingham, 205/226-4934. freelance writers, and producers, as well as campus leaders and campus news October 13 Fall Preview Day for prospective students, campus, professionals. 205/226-4696. As noted on individual conference summaries, Pollick gained an attentive October 20 Ring World Planetarium Show, 2 p.m., Robert R. Meyer audience right after a previous speaker Planetarium, 205/226-4771. shared a true, heartwarming story November 2-30 John Lytle Wilson Art Exhibition, featuring paintings by the about thoroughbred racehorse Barbaro. artist/instructor from Tallahassee, Fla., M-F, 8:30 a.m.- A recent note to Pollick and the Office 4:45 p.m., Durbin Gallery, Doris Wainwright Kennedy Art of Communications stated, “You took a Center/Azar Art Studios, reception on opening day at 5 p.m., difficult time slot, following a truly 205/226-4928. moving story, and captured the audience’s complete attention. That’s November 8-11 Taming of the Shrew Theatrical Production, a classic comedy almost an impossible task, but you did by William Shakespeare, Nov. 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 11 it so comfortably.” at 2:30 p.m., BSC College Theatre/Mainstage, 205/226-4780.

November 10 BAMA Concert, featuring violinist and BSC First Lady Karen Bentley Pollick with guitarist Paul Bowman, 7:30 p.m., Hill Recital Hall, 205/226-4950.

All college events can be found at www.bsc.edu.

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Estes appointed vice president for administration at Birmingham-Southern

Lane Estes, executive assistant to discipline, and personal integrity, combined with that the president of Birmingham- knowledge of Birmingham-Southern, will serve this Southern College since 1998, has college well,” said BSC President Dr. David Pollick in been appointed the institution’s making the announcement. vice president for administration. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Estes holds a bachelor’s In his new duties, Estes oversees degree in business administration and a master’s degree the college’s bookstore, in education, both from the University of Tennessee. cafeteria/food services, campus Prior to joining Birmingham-Southern, he was police, construction, facilities and marketing director for Host Communications from events, human resources, 1993-98, and business, compliance, and library research Estes landscaping, operations, post assistant for the Southeastern Conference from 1991-93. office, printing services, and He is a member of the board of directors of the Southern Environmental Center areas. Homewood City Schools Foundation and Campfire USA. “Lane has gained invaluable practical knowledge of In 1997, Estes was named to the Birmingham Business many facets of the college while serving as executive Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40.” assistant to the president, and his professionalism,

BSC faculty and student art exhibited in Czech Republic, First Lady performs at opening ceremony

Art work by Birmingham-Southern faculty and students was exhibited during the annual Pilsen Liberation Festival in the Czech Republic in May, and the opening ceremony featured a performance by BSC First Lady and violinist Karen Bentley Pollick. Entitled “Birmingham-Southern College—A Southern View,” the exhibit was part of the ongoing cooperation between BSC and the Institute of Art and Design of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The exhibit also honored the sister city relationship between Pilsen and Birmingham. Pollick and Louisiana State University professor of cello Dennis Parker performed at the May 6 opening of the exhibit in the University Gallery. The duo was in the Czech Republic May 6-13 for an “American Spring” musical tour. BSC faculty and students whose art was included in the exhibit were Natalie Andrews, a senior art-painting major from Franklin, Tenn.; Steve Cole, professor of art; Kendel Gordon, a senior art-studio major from Trussville; Jim Neel, assistant professor of art; BSC First Lady and violinist Graham Ritchie, a senior art-sculpture major from Mobile; Kevin Shook, assistant Karen Bentley Pollick and professor of art; Cooper Spivey, instructor of art; and Pamela Venz, associate professor of cellist Dennis Parker perform art. at the opening of an art exhibit Pollick introduced the artwork to the Pilsen and Czech dignitaries gathered at the featuring works by BSC faculty opening. Jan Vicarˇ of Prague, who taught at BSC as a visiting professor of music in 2006, and students in Pilsen, Czech introduced Pollick and Parker, who performed Vicarˇ ’s “Homage to Fiddlers,” which was Republic. composed in Birmingham in 2006 while Vicarˇ was teaching composition at BSC. The duo then performed several concerts throughout the Czech Republic, in addition to collaborating with the Wind Ensemble of the Guard Band at Zbiroh Castle. The art exhibition at the University of West Bohemia was the third in a series of 12 / ’southern exhibitions of American artists on the occasion of celebrations of liberation of the city of Pilsen by American troops and the end of World War II in Europe.