’Southern A Publication for Alumni and Friends Fall 2006 Volume 32, Number 3 The State of the College Past, Present, and Future BSC Birmingham-Southern College Editor’s Note USPS 087-600 As you will read later on in this fall 2006 issue of ’Southern Dr. G. David Pollick, President magazine, there is a lot of change headed to the Hilltop. James T. Stephens, Chair, Board of Trustees Efforts are under way to grow enrollment to 1,800, and a new environmental lake/park area soon to be under construction ’Southern magazine is published four times a year in winter, will serve as an outdoor classroom for the study of environ- spring, summer, and fall by the Office of Alumni Affairs and the mental issues as well as a place of leisure and recreation for Office of Communications at Birmingham-Southern College, students. New academic majors are being considered to meet Birmingham, Alabama 35254. Periodical Postage paid at Birmingham, AL 35203. Postmaster: Send address changes to: the demands of today’s students, and football is kicking off in Alumni Affairs, Birmingham-Southern College, 900 Arkadelphia fall 2007. These changes are just a few of the initiatives you Road, Box 549003, Birmingham, AL 35254; telephone will read about designed to strengthen our institution both 205/226-4909; or access at www.bsc.edu/alumni. financially and as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Editorial Offices: If you’ve visited our Web site of late you’ll notice we have a 15 Stockham Building new look and feel to our Future Students area for prospective 900 Arkadelphia Road students. It was designed with high school students in mind Box 549004 and includes several new areas, such as faculty and staff web Birmingham, AL 35254 Phone: 205/226-4921 diaries and Ask a Student and Ask a Professor links. In the Fax: 205/226-4931 coming weeks, the main Web site at www.bsc.edu will have a E-mail: [email protected] new look and feel as well. You also might notice another change. This issue of Editor: Bill Wagnon, Vice President for Communications ’Southern is sporting a new look that we believe will be more appealing to our readers and that also is more consistent with Managing Editor: Patricia Cole, Communications Specialist other publications that the college is producing based on a new design concept put into place earlier this fall. Art Director: Tracy Thomas ’92, What we haven’t changed in the magazine is our commit- Associate Director for Communications--Publications ment to continue to deliver to BSC alumni and friends a Contributing Writers: publication that is both informative and interesting. Earlier Sarah Barbee, Assistant Director of Athletic Media this fall, the Office of Alumni Affairs conducted the first Relations alumni survey done by the college in a decade. We were Patricia Cole, Communications Specialist pleased to see that ’Southern was the No. 1 response when we Joe Dean Jr., Director of Athletics asked how alumni receive important information about BSC. Carol Cook Hagood ’70, Communications Specialist We were equally pleased to see that most alumni reported that Linda Hallmark, Communications Specialist they either read the entire issue when they receive it or scan it Barrett Hathcock, Communications Specialist and come back later and read it in depth. We pledge to Fred Sington, Director of Athletic Media Relations Bill Wagnon, Vice President for Communications continue to work hard to bring to you a publication that you will look forward to receiving and that will make you proud Photography: of your college. Marc Bondarenko As always, we invite you to offer feedback and suggestions Billy Brown that might help us continue to improve the magazine. Please Patricia Cole feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 205/226-4901. John Consoli We hope you enjoy this new look for ’Southern and the Carol Cook Hagood exciting news it brings you from Birmingham-Southern Randy Lee College. Dee Moore Bill Wagnon College Archives Office of Athletic Media Relations Submitted Photos Bill Wagnon Vice President for Communications www.bsc.edu ’southern Inside’Southern ’Southern magazine / Fall 2006 / Volume 32, Number 3 A Publication for Alumni and Friends BSC Features 16 The President’s State of the College Remember the past, pay attention to the present, look forward to the future 28 Social justice and the law Departments Hess Center Fellows Program debuts at Birmingham-Southern 2 Community News 8 Faculty News 12 Student News 34 Alumni Affairs 40 Philanthropy 43 Athletics 50 ClassNotes 65 ’Southern Voices On the Cover Traditions set against a changing landscape. What lies on the horizon for Birmingham-Southern? Take a look at our feature article on President David Pollick’s State of the College and get a glimpse of his perspective on our past, our present, and our future (page 16). fall 2006 COMMUNITY NEWS thanked God for showing him the A Celebration of Healing way and introducing him to his ex- tended family and home at Birming- Government leaders, pastors, church members ham-Southern. unite to restore hope in light of church burnings Birmingham-Southern was able to distribute more than $368,000 to by linda hallmark the churches through the Alabama Churches Rebuilding and Restora- tion Fund. It was established March Government leaders, pastors, and David Pollick and the college for its 8, the day the college learned two of church members were among a actions in the aftermath of the its students had been arrested for group of nearly 300 who gathered tragedies. arson and conspiracy in the fires. for a Church Restoration Celebration “I remember being in Washington The fund included more than Dinner in October at Birmingham- and seeing the president of this $55,000 from a joint effort of The Southern. school on CNN walk up to the National Conference for Commu- Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and U.S. microphone,” said Davis. “This man nity and Justice, AmSouth Bank, and Rep. Artur Davis were among those is not even from my state, but he FOX6/WBRC TV, and more than who attended to celebrate just made me proud to be an all that has been accom- Alabamian.” plished in the rebuilding In addition to Riley and Davis, and restoration of the 10 other speakers included Pollick; Alabama churches Dennis Leonard of FOX6 WBRC-TV; damaged or destroyed by Carolyn Warziniack, representing arson in February. The anonymous donors from Jackson pastors and as many as 20 Hole, Wyo.; Rev. Jim Parker, pastor members from the congre- of Ashby Baptist Church; and Rev. gations of each church Glenn Harris Sr., pastor of Spring also attended. Valley Baptist Church. “We came together in a The program also featured a vocal spirit of unity,” said Riley and piano performance by BSC U.S. Rep. Artur Davis addresses the more during his remarks at the student John-Mark McGaha and a event. “I have never been selection by the Young Voices of President David Pollick welcomes BSC than 300 gathered at the Church freshman Demetrius Foy to the podium Celebration Dinner. more proud to be Galilee youth choir from Galilee governor. We came Baptist Church. to deliver the night’s closing prayer. Foy’s together as Alabamians.” A closing prayer was delivered by home church, Spring Valley Baptist, was Davis echoed Riley’s remarks by BSC student Demetrius Foy, a damaged by arson. commending BSC President Dr. freshman religion/psychology major $33,000 from The Community from Gainesville, Foundation of West Alabama. Ala., and a member The fund was boosted by a of Spring Valley $150,000 contribution from a Baptist Church. Foy, Jackson Hole, Wyo., couple who who is a pastor at wished to remain anonymous. his church, was Unsolicited donations to the fund overcome with were received from individuals, emotion while corporations, and foundations expressing his grati- across Alabama and the nation. tude to the Lord, his “Dr. Pollick, you did it again family, his church, tonight,” said Davis. “He talked and his college. about responsibility. It is not about With tears, and an what I did to you, but what I owe occasional sob, he you as another one of God’s children.” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (left) shares a healing moment with Rev. Jim Parker, pastor of Ashby Baptist Church. 2/ ’southern COMMUNITY NEWS BSC named a top college, best value by BSC president to U.S. News, Princeton Review, and Barron’s serve on national committee of Birmingham-Southern climbed 14 places within its Methodist college top- tier category of the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the country in the 2007 U.S.News & World Report rankings presidents of America’s Top Colleges. The publication also includes BSC among the top 16 liberal arts colleges in the nation Birmingham-Southern in terms of least amount of debt of students graduating President Dr. David Pollick will in 2005. BSC has been ranked among the best national serve on the United Methodist liberal arts colleges by U.S. News for 13 straight years. Higher Education Foundation The Princeton Review has listed BSC as one of the top institutions in the planning committee for its country offering students best value. The Princeton Review published its upcoming global ethics seminar. findings in the 2007 edition of America’s Best Value Colleges. The annual Pollick participated in the college guidebook profiles 150 public and private colleges with excellent annual summer meeting of the academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs. National Association of Schools, The Review also ranks BSC as one of 140 Colleges, and Universities of the Pollick Best Southeastern Colleges in another United Methodist Church held in publication.