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A Journal of Leadership and Service
at Birmingham-Southern College
Volume XVIII Spring 2016
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Editor
Faculty Advisor
Madison Bryant
Sean Moran Kent Andersen
When one thinks of Birmingham-Southern, what comes to mind? Our school is multifaceted
and offers so much to those who attend or work here. BSC’s faculty shines and the professors I
have had the privilege to learn from have been the best part of my time here, but that’s not to
discredit my relationships and experiences on campus in other ways. From Greek life to athletics
to student government, our school offers so many ways for students to lead. I see leadership as a
central tenet of BSC’s liberal arts philosophy and the best part about it is that it’s not a required
course--it is not something simple or just another requirement to check off one’s course list.
Leadership at BSC is so interwoven with every other experience that one could ask any student-
-from the seasoned senior to the fresh-faced first-year--and realize we have all experienced
leadership first-hand. Whether one is a leader or is benefiting from the leadership of their peers,
faculty, or administration, leadership is indivisible from every aspect at BSC.
I came to BSC because I wanted a small liberal-arts school in a bustling city. Birmingham
is an amazing place with a rich history and diverse population committed to bettering their
city, our country, and our world. We have the privilege to serve our community with our peers,
professors, and administration. Hand-in-hand with leadership is service. A leader serves their
followers humbly and graciously--learning from their followers how to better serve the community
around them. BSC is proud of our relationships with the communities we serve. Ensley, Hoover,
Homewood, and Mountain Brook--these are our neighbors and we owe them our service. BSC
offers unique experiential learning programs through Rise3 and the Krulak Institute. From
internships and fellowships to service-based classes, every BSC student has the opportunity to get
to know the neighborhoods surrounding us and learn from our community. Community is a very
important facet of leadership--the best leaders connect those around them and build something
greater than themselves. I believe BSC is committed to this endeavour. The essays published in this
year’s edition of the Compass prove that BSC produces dedicated, empathetic leaders committed
to serving their community.
My rewarding journey with the Compass has served as the best capstone to my leadership and
service experiences at BSC. Director of the Hess Center, Kent Andersen, and former Coordinator
of Engaged Learning Programs, Ally Walton--who has since left to pursue another opportunity--
have been invaluable guides through the year-long process of hiring an assistant editor, soliciting
submissions, editing essays, and formatting the journal. Kent’s and Ally’s leadership is proof of
the engaged commitment of our faculty and staff to bettering their students and our institution.
I would be remiss not to thank my assistant editor, Sean Moran, for his dedicated assistance and
invaluable insight. I know I am leaving the Compass in very capable hands, and I cannot wait to
see how he brings our visions to realization. Of course, I must also thank Robby Prince and the
Student Government Association for their unwavering support.
We are so excited and proud to present the 2016 edition of the Compass. I cannot wait to see
the future leaders and community servants that will emerge from BSC.
Editor-in-Chief, Madison Bryant
Class of 2016