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Birmingham-Southern College Honors Day ceremony recognizes student, faculty, and staff achievement

Birmingham-Southern College Honors Day ceremony recognizes student, faculty, and staff achievement

For Immediate Release
May. 9, 2019

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Birmingham-Southern College held its annual Honors Day celebration on Thursday, May 9, to recognize graduating seniors, other students, faculty, and staff for their scholarly achievements, leadership, and service.

The Honors Day Convocation featured an academic procession, a performance by the BSC Concert Choir, and inspirational messages for the graduating class. It was followed by the 26th annual Honoring Scholarship Conference, during which students present their research projects and creative endeavors to cap off their undergraduate careers.

In her keynote address to the Class of 2019, Hillary Beard, a 2012 BSC political science graduate and senior policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), talked about the current state of affairs in American politics and the role we can all play in improving our country during a time of seemingly unprecedented division and strife.

“At Birmingham-Southern, we’ve learned to ask the tough questions. We’ve learned to dig deeper and seek the truth and the best outcome for the most people,” Beard told the crowd in Munger Auditorium. “So don’t rest on your laurels. Our state needs you…and at this juncture in our nation’s history, our country needs you too.”

She was joined on the stage by BSC President Daniel B. Coleman, Provost Dr. Bradley Caskey, Student Government Association President Griffith Hawk, Chaplain Rev. Julie Blackwelder Holly ’01, and Joseph Hugh Thomas Professor of Music Dr. Lester Seigel ’79.

During the afternoon following the awards ceremony, students from disciplines across campus presented their senior research projects. Subjects included: Medieval mythologies in Game of Thrones, the history and spiritual focus of yoga, and a research study on the binge drinking epidemic on college campuses. There were also media and film studies presentations, musical performances, and a student juried art exhibition on display.

 Campus-wide honors bestowed at the ceremony included: 

  • The Donald C. Harrison Honors Program Senior Award recognizes one or more senior members who show overall academic excellence and a commitment to interdisciplinary study: Lindsay Higgins, Silvan Springs, Ala.

  • The Hess Center for Leadership and Service Distinction in Leadership Studies Award goes to students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a commitment to the betterment of society, and a willingness to serve others: Andrew McMahon, Homewood, Ala.

  • The William Legg Award is presented to a senior student-athlete who plans to attend graduate school: Robert Williams III, Powder Springs, Ga.

  • The Alpha Lambda Delta Book Award recognizes the graduating member of the national honor society with the highest grade point average: Margaret DuVall, Albany, Ga.; Brian Perry, Sylacauga, Ala.: and Robert Pulliam, Birmingham

  • The Alpha Lambda Delta Scholarship Award is given to an outstanding junior member of the national honor society: Cynthia Mims, Chelsea, Ala.

  • The Henry C. Randall Advisor of the Year Award is presented to a faculty or staff member who advises a student organization: Assistant Director of Residence Life Brandon Brown

  • The Excellence in Library Research Award is presented to a first- or second-year student who submits a Southern Academic Review paper that best shows the breadth, depth, and understanding of research: Emily Hayes, Gadsden

  • The Dudley Long Leadership Award is established by the SGA to recognize a group or student whose efforts during the year added to campus life: Cross Cultural Committee

  • The  President’s Service Award is presented to members of the campus community who show commitment, character, service, and leadership: Lab Coordinator Corey Cates, Director of Facilities and Events Anne Curry, Interim Vice President for Admissions Amy Hayes, and SGA President Griffith Hawk, Arab, Ala.

  • The Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Classroom honors a faculty member who excels in incorporating diversity into his or her instruction and interaction with students: Assistant Professor of Religion Dr. Keely Sutton

  • The Turnipseed-Ikenberry Scholarship is awarded to rising juniors majoring in physics, mathematics, or history with outstanding academic achievement: Connor Hansen, Fort Collins, Colo.

  • The Omicron Delta Kappa Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who has attained excellence in all aspects of teaching: Instructor of Spanish Kim Lewis

  • The Richebourg Gaillard McWilliams Faculty Scholarship Award is given to an outstanding faculty member who has excelled in scholarship: Associate Professor of History Dr. William Hustwit

  • The Hubbs Award recognizes a student who exemplifies academic excellence and selfless service: Robyn Gulley, Birmingham

  • The Robert Hewlin Jackson Achievement Award is given to the graduating student who has shown the greatest academic improvement and made a distinguished record in his or her junior and senior years: Christopher Nett, Nacogdoches, Texas

  • The Robert Hewlin Jackson Meritorious Scholarship Award recognizes students whose overall record places them at the top of their graduating class: Margaret DuVall, Albany, Ga., and Roger Wang, Chengdu, China

  • The Charles B. Vail College Fellows Program provides stipends or academic credit for students to serve as teaching or research partners with faculty: Taylor Anderson, West Union, S.C.; Taylor Andrews, Watkinsville, Ga.; Michael Barren, Huntsville, Ala.; Sychem Butler Jr., Childersburg, Ala.; Hannah Collier, Anniston, Ala.; Charity Furr, Birmingham, Ala.; Olivia Hall, Birmingham, Ala.; Abigail Henken, Huntsville, Ala., Jackson Massey, Montgomery, Ala.; and Rebecca Weston, Burke, Va.

  • Fourteen graduating seniors were elected to  Phi Beta Kappa, the national academic honor society, this spring: Rachel Barron, Owens Cross Roads, Ala.; Zhuo Chen, Kunming, China; Sophie Cheng , Honolulu, Hawaii; Kaitlin D’Amato, Greenville, S.C.; Elizabeth Dillard, Birmingham, Ala.; Chandler Findley, Trussville, Ala.; Donald Gaines III, Arlington, Tenn.; Ian Goymer, Birmingham, Ala.; Mary Hall, Tuscumbia, Ala.; Abigail Holt, Birmingham, Ala.; Veena Krishnan, Hoover, Ala.; Andrew McMahon, Homewood, Ala.; Kirsten Quinn, Goodlettsville, Tenn., and Margot Woolverton, Vestavia Hills, Ala.