On April 1, the Birmingham-Southern community will celebrate our fifth annual Forward Ever Day – the College’s 24-hour day of giving that supports all areas of campus.

Alumni, faculty, staff, families, and other donors will come together to support the Forward Ever Fund, which funds scholarships and other opportunities that impact every person and department on campus. Those who give can also designate their donations for an academic department or student organization as a part over several day-long competitions.

This year, we’re celebrating the hard work our campus community has done to get back on the Hilltop safely and maintain the same BSC experience we know and love. The College has continued to move forward during all kinds of challenges, and support on Forward Ever Day will continue to help us do so.

Last year’s Forward Ever Day took place during the beginning of the pandemic – students, faculty, and staff were studying and working remotely, and many students were in need of additional financial assistance, new equipment and technology, and other resources during the onset of COVID-19. Overwhelming support from our community raised $325,433 – making last year the first year to ever pass $300,000 in total gifts.

Ashley Williams is a sophomore student from Hendersonville, Tenn. She’s had the opportunity to take classes in film, English, psychology, and philosophy and is currently building an individualized major, which she’s thinking of calling consumer behavior.

“I wouldn’t be at BSC without all the various scholarships I have received,” says sophomore Ashley Williams, who received a Forward Ever Day 2020 scholarship. “I’m thankful for all of the scholarship opportunities given to those who need them.”

The majority of Forward Ever Day gifts support student scholarships, but areas such as academic departments, research opportunities, student events, and new technology and equipment are also funded by donors each year.

As in year’s past, we will host Battle of the Greeks and inter-departmental academic competitions. Academic departments, student organizations, and Greek chapters will compete to win different Forward Ever Day “titles”: most dollars raised, most donors, and best social media presence.

Last year, the English department won the academic competition for most donors, and they have earmarked the award to underwrite a new reader’s theatre (in what’s currently an old science lab in Berte Humanities) for poetry readings, senior presentations, and a humanities common room. The chemistry and physics departments won awards for social media presence the past two years and purchased new Chromebooks and other technology and software for their classes, which has enhanced collaborative learning during the pandemic. Greek chapters have often used funds to make upgrades to their chapter houses as part of larger renovation projects.

So, how can you be involved for this year’s Forward Ever Day?

• You can make a gift now through April 1.
• Spread the word by sharing posts on social media or connecting with your BSC friends, professors, and colleagues. You can also sign up to serve as an ambassador and help us promote the day.
• If you’re a student, you can write thank-you notes on Forward Ever Day in the Norton Campus Center and help win money for your favorite organization in our Cash Cab event on Instagram Live. If you’re a leader in a Greek chapter or student organization, you can also spread the word to your alumni and raise even more support.