A Message from the President

History brings us to this moment. Thousands of lives, whose hearts and hands have touched others with their knowledge and their unique combination of wisdom and compassion, bring us to this moment. From the halls of the United States Congress, to great venues for the performing arts; from international stages for journalism, literature, medicine and research; from powerful boardrooms and courtrooms, to schools, churches and places of profound human need—the legacy of Birmingham-Southern College lives in its generations of sons and daughters. They bring us to this moment, and when we search our mind’s eye for what is now expected, we see not only our future, but our destiny.

When I was first welcomed to ‘Southern, those around me wanted to hear of my ‘vision’ for the years ahead. I responded with, “The genius can be found in the place.” Out of its history, year after year, young gifted minds appear on the Hilltop carrying our legacy into another unfolding. And year after year, out of our history of great educators, an extraordinary faculty awaits them, eager to discover the genius within each student. Our vision for the years ahead is to be found in our place and in our students—in their destiny delivered.

So it is that we have turned to our alumni, our faculty and our friends, together the caretakers of our legacy, to set our College’s priorities for the era ahead. There was little surprise. At the heart of our success is ‘Southern’s uncompromising commitment to a liberal arts education of the highest caliber. Rooted in a powerful and deeply personal faculty, this is the education that gives meaning and voice to a life of genuine purpose. Foundational to a life of courage and service, educational life on the Hilltop has always reached beyond professional success, setting its sights on what is expected and what must next be imagined. Truly, our students learn in order to serve. As a consequence, the world is better because of each of our graduates—and it is our destiny that this be so.

In this campaign, above all else, we have been told to secure this legacy. This we will do. Both campaign phases will be uncompromising in this regard. The campaign priorities reflect the importance of ensuring that the genius within our place not only remains safe, but flourishes; that the lives of those we hold up before us continue to reach back to those who aspire to follow. In such a moment, legacy and destiny converge—and the promise continues.

Dr. G. David Pollick