Congratulations to all of our 2020 Honors Day award recipients. Birmingham-Southern students are recognized for excellence in academics, leadership, service, and research, and we are proud of your success.

Hear video messages from Provost Brad Caskey and Terrence Ingram ’09, our Honors Day speaker. These will also be shared on BSC’s social media accounts.

Here are a few of our campus-wide awards and honors for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The Donald C. Harrison Honors Program Senior Award recognizes a senior student who shows overall academic excellence and a commitment to interdisciplinary study:

Madeline Elise Ford, a biology major from Baton Rouge, La.
Harrison Honors Project: “Modern Dance and Mythology: A Comparison of Martha Graham’s Night Journey to Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex”

The Nancy and Billy McDonald Outstanding Servant Leader Award is presented to an outstanding servant and leader:

Parker Dean Sturm, a sociology major from Pelham, Ala.

The Hess Center for Leadership and Service Distinction in Leadership Studies Award goes to a student who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, a commitment to the betterment of society, and a willingness to serve others:

Robyn Lynelle Gulley, a political science major from Birmingham

The Charles B. Vail College Fellows Program provides stipends or academic credit for students to serve as teaching or research partners with faculty:

Elizabeth Cosette Bolt, a musical theatre major from Kingston Springs, Tenn.
“Theatre’s Call to Action Experiential Learning Project Design” with Alan Litsey

Juan Jose Campos, a chemistry major from Chelsea, Ala.
“Activating Potentials in Chemistry Education” with Kate Hayden

Julia Grace Degnan, a musical theatre major from Hendersonville, Tenn.
“Intermediate Acting” with Michael Flowers

John MacEver DeLay, a math major from Huntsville, Ala.
“Habitat for Humanity Impact Survey” with Stephanie Hansard

Emily Elizabeth Farley, an education major from Huntsville, Ala.
“The Intersection of Knowledge and Understanding in Upper Elementary School: The Use of Fiction in Classrooms to Facilitate Knowledge and Empathy for Individuals with Exceptionalities” with Amelia Spencer

Jacqueline Lamars, a race and gender studies major from Pittsburg, Pa.
“Changing Course: Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Minority Experience Reimagined” with Shane Pitts

Claire Theresa LeSar, a studio art and art history major from Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ancient Women Writers” with Mary Hamil Gilbert

Austin Derrick Lewter, a political science major from Tanner, Ala.
“Sparagmos of the Colonial Classroom” with Desireé Melonas

Yihan Liu, an economics major from Yunnan Province, China
“Anticorruption and Investment” with Guangjun Qu

Chase Garrett Mays, a business administration major from Olathe, Kan.
“Anticorruption and Investment” with Guangjun Qu

Mallory Josephine Schirm, an English major from Marietta, Ga.
“A Month in Yaknopatawpha: Faulkner’s Fiction in Oxford, Mississippi” with Fred Ashe

Rose Marie Simpson, a musical theatre major from Nashville, Tenn.
“Beginning Acting Experiential Learning Project Design” with Alan Litsey

Peter Thomas Toland, a history major from Huntsville, Ala.
“LS 200 Experiential Learning Project Design” with Alan Litsey

The William Legg Award is presented to a senior student-athlete who plans to attend graduate school:

Julia Catherine Denby, an English major from Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Birmingham-Southern Volleyball

The Black Student Union Scholarship was established by the Black Alumni Association to recognize an outstanding rising senior:

Kazia Alexia Taylor, a business administration major from Riverdale, Ga.

The Hubbs Award recognizes a student who exemplifies academic excellence and selfless service:

Allan Roberto Monterrubio, a media and film studies major from Hoover, Ala.

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 their junior and senior years:

Hayden Henry Anabtawi, an economics major from Auburn, Ala.

The Robert Hewlin Jackson Meritorious Scholarship Award recognizes students whose overall record places them at the top of their graduating class:

Brian James Perry, a chemistry major from Sylacauga, Ala.
Robert Powers Pulliam, an economics major from Birmingham

Birmingham-Southern College and Duke University Data+ Award

Andrew Vas Scofield, an applied computer science major from Columbiana, Ala.

The Martha Ray and Paul Woodrow Burleson Scholarship is awarded to two students who are studying disciplines that will prepare them for medical school:

Amy Elizabeth Casey, a rising junior from Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Zionne Christian McCrear, a rising sophomore from Gardendale, Ala.

The Dudley Long Leadership Award recognizes a group of students whose efforts during the year added to campus life:

Student Government Association

Phi Beta Kappa recognizes seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, the pursuit of the liberal arts and sciences, breadth of intellectual perspective, and cultivation of capacities of deliberation and ethical reflection:

Devon Alexandra Adams, an applied computer science major from Birmingham
Alexis Victoria Baldwin, a political science major from Birmingham
Julia Grace Degnan, a musical theatre major from Hendersonville, Tenn.
Madeline Elise Ford, a biology major from Baton Rouge, La.
Connor Alan Hansen, a history major from Fort Collins, Colo.
Ann Chandler Hassett, a Spanish major from Birmingham
Marjorie Milham Head, a political science major from Columbiana, Ala.
Claire Theresa LeSar, a studio art and art history major from Chattanooga, Tenn.
Yihan Liu, an economics major from Yunnan Province, China
Sarah Elizabeth Mayhew, a musical theatre major from Scottsboro, Ala.
Justin Christopher Morris, an applied computer science major from Birmingham
Brian James Perry, a chemistry major from Sylacauga, Ala.
Aidan Christopher Sullivan, a history major from Nashville, Tenn.
Mary Elizabeth Yaeger, a studio art major from Birmingham

Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for their exemplary scholarship, leadership, and service:

Elizabeth Cosette Bolt, a musical theatre major from Kingston Springs, Tenn.
Alexandra Haylee Coberly, a history major from Franklin, Tenn.
Montanna Eleese Darty, a biology major from Hoover, Ala.
John MacEver DeLay, a math major from Huntsville, Ala.
McKenzie Nicole Driskell, a history major from Athens, Ala.
Bailey Marie Gardner, a political science major from Mobile, Ala.
Emily Kate Hayes, a history major from Gadsden, Ala.
Madeleine Nicole Hosick, a biology major from Eureka, Mo.
Parker Hunt Jarecki, a biology major from Gadsden, Ala.
Kaitlin Lane Jones, a business administration major from Trussville, Ala.
Annabelle Louise Kahalley, a math major from Spanish Fort, Ala.
Mary Jordan Kilgore, a business administration major from Birmingham
Chase Garrett Mays, a business administration major from Olathe, Kan.
Christopher Riley McClintock, an applied computer science major from Mobile, Ala.
Samantha Misischia, a religion major from Birmingham
Cameron Elizabeth Overton, a studio art major from Huntsville, Ala.
Emma Rei Palmer, a business administration major from Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Jheryl Marie Porter, a business administration major from Salem, Ala.
Mary Elizabeth Ronne, a health sciences major from Athens, Tenn.
Mallory Josephine Schirm, an English major from Marietta, Ga.
Katlin Mae Schultz, from Warrior, Ala.
Alexandria Dianne Seirafi, an English major from Montgomery, Ala.
Christophe Bradley Smith, a physics major from Huntsville, Ala.
Sutton Elizabeth Smith, a history major from Auburn, Ala.
Lena Cole Speir, a biology major from Fairhope, Ala.
Olivia Grace Stringer, a health sciences major from Jackson, Miss.
Katherine McCarley Tucker, a psychology major from Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Anjali Anil Vira, a biology major from Fairhope, Ala.
Reilly O’Neill Vought, a biology major from Spanish Fort, Ala.
Catherine Ceann Wachter, an education major from Auburn, Ala.

The Donald C. Harrison Honors Program focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to topics, issues, and questions. During their senior year, Harrison Scholars conduct interdisciplinary, independent projects framed in collaboration with the program director and a faculty sponsor:

Kaelin Christina Bone, a business administration major from Birmingham
“Colorism in America: The Effect of Colorism on Women of Color in the Business Field” with Desireé Melonas

Kallie Breanna Brown, a political science major from Spanish Fort, Ala.
“The Gentrification of Southern Cuisine: From Classic to Contemporary” with Melinda Thompson

Madeline Elise Ford, a biology major from Baton Rouge, La.
“Modern Dance and Mythology: A Comparison of Martha Graham’s  Night Journey to Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex” with John Tatter

Caroline Grace Johnson, a biology major from Lucas, Texas
“The Evolution of Beauty and the Beast via The Happiest Place on Earth” with John Tatter

Sara Elizabeth Jones, a political science major from Ocean Springs, Miss.
“The Role of Commitment in Re-evaluation, Withdrawal, and Forgiveness: A Reflection” with Peter Van Zandt

Emily Elizabeth Kachelhofer, a biology major from Birmingham
“Location Vacation: Pride and Prejudice and Literary Tourism” with John Tatter

Benjamin Edward Kimbell, a chemistry major from Vestavia Hills, Ala.
“Poetry with a Purpose: Podcasts on Poetic Activism” with John Tatter

Mitchell Franklin Kimbell, a biology major from Vestavia Hills, Ala.
“A Journey to Performing Traditional Irish Folk Music” with Jeff Kensmoe

Yihan Liu, an economics major from Yunnan Province, China
“Differences and Indifferences: The Culture, History and Religions Study on Traditional Chinese and Tibetan Tea Culture” with Daniel Coyle

Ashleigh Nicole Neese, a chemistry major from Katy, Texas
“Ashleigh Dreams of Sushi: A Study of the Japanese Art of Sushi-Making” with Daniel Coyle

Kathryn Elizabeth Petty, a biology major from Trussville, Ala.
“Women in High Fantasy Video Gaming” with Jessica Hines

Madelyn Rose Sibley, a health sciences and religion major from Grant, Ala.
“Investigating Identity: How Art Impacts an Area’s Identity” with Jim Neel

Shelby Ann Soares, a philosophy, history, and law major from Augusta, Ga.
“Scarification and Tattooing: A Limitation of Women’s Sexuality Across Cultural Lines” with Amy Cottrill

Hope Hamilton Tippett, a political science major from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
“The House Makes the South: Urban Houses as a Visual Representation of the South” with Pamela Venz

Matthew Grant Torbett, a musical theatre major from Piney Flats, Tenn.
“se camper: An Exploration of Camp in Modern Fashion” with Pamela Venz

View the full Honors Day 2020 Program to see other awards, scholarships, and honors.