A Message from the Campaign Co-Chairs

It wasn’t much to look at back in the early 1960s. The buildings around the quad were showing their age and badly needed face-lifts of plaster, paint and mortar. Spreading patches of bald earth pushed against the sad little tufts of receding grass and weeds. The dorm rooms were dated, the showers down the hall, the class rooms dingy, the food barely tolerable and campus activities outside the classroom almost nonexistent. There were no state-of-the-art science labs, or fountains surrounded by colorful flowers, or a bell tower, or an apartment village, or Saturday afternoon football games.

But we loved it.

We were in a special place surrounded by bright and engaging new friends and a most marvelous group of teachers. For four wonderful years, we listened, we talked, we studied, we argued and we solved the world’s problems with our newfound wisdom.

Those incredible professors invited us into their homes and to their dinner tables, checked on us when we were sick, gently chided us when we slept in, consoled us in times of trouble and disappointment and counseled us in the mysteries of post-graduate life. Our English professors motivated us to read and challenge what we read. Our religion and philosophy classes taught us responsibility and respect for ourselves and others. Our studies of political science and sociology instilled in us a sense of urgency to participate in the world around us, in meaningful and constructive ways. Our lives were changed by the unfailing efforts of those dedicated scholars to open our minds to the beauty of a liberal arts education.

And we loved them.

But the story didn’t begin and doesn’t end with us. BSC graduates have succeeded in every conceivable profession and job throughout the nation. They can be found in the Houses of Congress, on the mastheads of newspapers and magazines, as presidents of leading colleges and universities and in hospitals, courthouses and boardrooms. All because they were challenged to excel at a tiny school whose priceless gift to the world has been its thousands of graduates.

And we love it still.

Some years ago, several friends joined us in giving the late Dr. Henry Randall a retirement party. Brought together by our affection for Dr. Randall, we each gave him a small present. Dr. Randall, a lifelong bachelor with no family, began to cry saying the gifts were especially meaningful because he rarely received any. We cried with him. Dr. Randall had given us so much and sought so little in return. So, too, has our Alma Mater, our “fostering Mother.” We now have the opportunity to help ensure that ‘Southern’s cherished legacy remains untarnished and that destiny, indeed, is delivered. There is an inspiring and shared excitement on campus about innovative new programs, a beautiful park under construction, the Hilltop Village and other improvements. All of us are guardians of the College’s legacy and debtors to those who made it possible. Together we are the shepherds who can lead the way to a destiny delivered. We have every confidence you will join us in this most worthy campaign for Birmingham-Southern College.

We know you love it too.

                                                   
Edward L. Hardin, Jr. ‘62                                                         W. Michael Atchison ‘65