A Glimpse Into the Boundless, Creative Expressions of Alumni Visual Artists
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’Southern A Publication for Alumni and Friends Spring 2014 Volume 40, Number 1 WITHOUT BORDERS A glimpse into the boundless, creative expressions of alumni visual artists BSC Birmingham-Southern College BSC Snapshots This striking aerial photo of Birmingham-Southern was taken from a helicopter. The photo reveals the amazing patterns and unique textures of the landscape and the college’s beauty from above. Inside’Southern ’Southern magazine / Spring 2014 / Volume 40, Number 1 A Publication for Alumni and Friends BSC Departments Features 2 Editor’s Note 16 The Liar moves from the classroom 4 Community News to the stage in three weeks 9 Faculty News 22 Alumni visual artists put their 12 Student News creative talent and insight on display 16 Features 40 Alumni Affairs 42 Philanthropy 44 Athletics 50 ClassNotes 60 ’Southern Voices On the Cover The Edwards Bell Tower gets a visit from a benevolent golden-caped robot (and a tiny, furry, pink friend). The image was created especially for us by John Lytle Wilson ‘99, a talented artist who teaches in the Department of Art and Art History. Most of Wilson’s paintings are large, vivid, acrylic canvases, but he also “corrects” existing paintings, prints, and photographs like this one, usually with his signature monkeys and robots. Read more about Wilson and other alumni artists on page 22. spring 2014 Gen. Charles C. Krulak, President Editor’s Note Dr. Wayne Killion Jr. ’72, Chair, Board of Trustees ’Southern magazine is published by the Office of Alumni Affairs New beginnings quite like spring and the Office of Communications at Birmingham-Southern College, Spring is always a time to think about new beginnings, but I have a special excuse this time around. Birmingham, Alabama 35254. As I write this, I am not in the office putting the final touches on this issue of ’Southern. Instead, I’m at Non-profit postage paid at B’ham., home with a brand-new addition to our family: our week-old baby. AL Permit No. 2575. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Alumni As I type with her on my lap, I can’t help but gaze down on her and wonder: Who will you be? How will Affairs, Birmingham-Southern you discover your special gifts? What skills and support will you need to best fulfill your potential? College, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Box 549003, Birmingham, AL 35254; This, in a way, is what everyone here at Birmingham-Southern does for each of our students. When they telephone 205/226-4912; or access arrive their first year, they’re not as innocent as newborns (I suspect even their parents might agree), at www.bsc.edu/alumni. but they are just as open to an infinite world of possibilities. If they want to shed their high school ©2014 Birmingham-Southern identity and try something new, they can do that in a safe residential environment. If they want to take College. their accomplishments to the next level, they can do that, too, under the guidance of faculty and staff committed to help them develop. Over their four years here on the Hilltop, they’ll discover what excites Editorial Offices: them and figure out how to follow those passions and make them work in the “real world.” 10 Stockham Building 900 Arkadelphia Road Box 549004 In this issue, we explore some of those pathways. Our main feature follows alumni artists who have Birmingham, AL 35254 approached their field from many different directions and found artistic and commercial success. Phone: 205/226-4922 You’ll also find a photo essay that follows a group of students who mount a play during the January Fax: 205/226-4931 Exploration Term, playing multiple roles and learning the ins and outs of professional-scale production. E-mail: [email protected] And of course, you’ll also learn about some of our student and faculty achievements in the news Executive Editor: Hannah Wolfson, sections and find your old friends and classmates’ own success stories (and birth announcements!) in Director of Class Notes. Communications There’s only one thing missing: your own story. Please let us know how Birmingham-Southern Managing Editor: Pat Cole, opened your eyes, propelled you toward your future, or changed your life. You can email us at MPPM ’11 [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you, and of course, you’re always welcome to Communications visit us during the beautiful springtime on the Hilltop. Specialist Art Director: Tracy Thomas ’92, Director of Visual Forward, Ever! Identity and Publications Contributing Writers: Pat Cole MPPM ’11, Hannah Wolfson Communications Specialist Director of Communications Sarah Erreca, Director of Sports Information Dr. Mark Schantz, BSC Provost Hannah Wolfson, Director of Communications Photography: AL.com Ben Breland Share your story Wynter Byrd Thomas Coiner Professor of Chemistry Dr. Laura Stultz, the 2013 Alabama John Consoli Professor of the Year as recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for Cari Dean the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement Karen Graffeo and Support of Education, is looking for alumni stories to consider Darren Higgins Rev. Jack Hinnen for her commencement remarks this year. She would like to hear Nisha Kashyap from alums about how a liberal arts background has impacted your Jimmy Mitchell life in unexpected, but significant ways. Submit your stories to John Michael Kohler Arts Center Southern Environmental Law Center [email protected]. Wade Event Photography Archived Photos Submitted Photos www.bsc.edu explore your passion get hands-on experience and excel at business entrepreneurship camp Sunday, June 15 through Friday, June 20, 2014. Birmingham-Southern's Entrepreneurship Camp immerses rising high school juniors and seniors in a highly collaborative business program. is is a special opportunity for teen entrepreneurs to engage in a hands-on curriculum—with instruction by BSC faculty and visiting experts—designed to enhance their entrepreneurial mindset and skills. Over the course of six days, participants will work in teams to construct a complete business plan with the opportunity to win a $4,000 Stump Entrepreneurship Scholarship to BSC. Participants will experience real-world business activities through case studies, role-playing, and sessions with local entrepreneurs. Plus they'll learn life skills that will put them on a path for success throughout their careers! e curriculum covers a range of Planned activities include: topics including: • Hands-on training on how to create and present a • Business plan writing business plan • Social responsibility • Visits to local businesses and the award-winning • Marketing Innovation Depot business incubator • Competition/collaboration • Personalized talent assessment through StrengthsQuest • Cash flow/budgeting • A course on creativity • Leadership • Panels and mealtime talks from local entrepreneurs and business experts Dates: Sunday, June 15 through Friday, June 20 • Time for reflection, team-building, and fun Cost: $500/camper, includes all room, board, and activities Application deadline is ursday, May 15, 2014. www.bsc.edu/academics/business/camp.cfm For more information, call (205) 226-7851 or e-mail Amy Hayes at [email protected]. BSC Birmingham-Southern College COMMUNITY NEWS Remembering Bishop-in-Residence Bob Morgan We are sad to write that Dr. Robert C. Morgan ’56, who served at Birmingham-Southern for more than a decade, passed away March 16 at the age of 80. A native of Birmingham, Morgan joined BSC in 2000 as bishop-in- residence after serving a year as president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, the highest elected office in the church. He was an honorary life member of the BSC Board of Trustees and received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the college in 1980. He received a Master Bishop Bob Morgan lecturing to students in Rome of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler relations at BSC. “Students would memorial contributions can be School of Theology, which often come out of his office with a made to the Bishop Robert C. named Morgan as one book to read, and many times with Morgan Scholarship through the Morgan of its three distinguished permission to be added to his class.” Office of Institutional Advancement alumni in 2010. “Bob was a tremendous resource at BSC, Box 549003, 900 Morgan taught and mentored as to what the mission of the college Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, many Birmingham-Southern should be—focusing on service to AL 35254. The scholarship was students over the years through his the church by nurturing intelligent established in 1984 by Vestavia coursework, which included “The faith in a high quality academic Hills United Methodist Church to Gospel of St. John,” John Wesley setting,” said Dr. Neal Berte, BSC honor Morgan upon his election to and the People Called Methodists,” president emeritus. “His remarkable the episcopacy and in recognition and “The Parables.” He also guided ability to teach, speak, and write of his service to the church. The groups of students on Interim term about the gospel opened students’ scholarship is given annually to any trips to Greece, Turkey, and Italy to minds to new insights.” deserving students. explore the journeys of the Apostle Morgan is survived by his wife, Rev. Dalton Rushing ’05, pastor of Paul, and to England to follow the Martha Storey Morgan ’60, and four North Decatur UMC in Decatur, Ga., footsteps of John Wesley. children: Carol Morgan Carmichael posted a tribute of Morgan titled, “In the office next to him, I could of Birmingham; Lesli Morgan “On the Passing of a Giant,” on his hear his voice say ‘Come in!’ with Blair ’82 of Toney, Ala.; Ken Morgan blog: http://networkedblogs.com/ great excitement to every student of Waynesville, N.C.; and Robert V42DZ. Read these other moving who paused at the threshold,” said Morgan Jr.