After two years of virtual celebrations, the Birmingham-Southern community gathered in person on May 5 to celebrate Honors Day and excellence in academics, leadership, service, and research among students, faculty, and staff.

The Honors Day Convocation was held at 10 a.m. and recognized campus-wide honors that are presented each year. Throughout the rest of the day, departments and programs host their own award ceremonies, presentations, and celebrations to honor students within each discipline.

President Daniel B. Coleman opened the morning convocation, followed by an invocation from Chaplain Julie Holly ’03 and a salute to seniors from SGA President Laura Alice Hillhouse. Dr. Sima Lal Gupta ’99, health services director of Aletheia House in Birmingham, served as the convocation speaker, a role that a graduate of the College assumes every year on Honors Day to present a message to the next class of alumni.

Gupta explained how she was living vicariously through this year’s seniors – she missed her own Honors Day in 1999 while she was abroad in Spain on a Rotary Scholarship, where she instead “toasted to her years on the Hilltop on the Mediterranean.” She also spoke about her lifelong focus on service – something BSC amplified in her own personal and professional life – and how it is a common thread throughout her education and dedication to public health.

“We are each capable of doing something amazing,” Gupta said to the senior class. “Never doubt your potential, and never accept mediocrity. You have worked much too hard for that.” Read Gupta’s full speech here.

Provost Tim Smith and student leaders presented several awards, and President Coleman announced the President’s Service Awards, which honor faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated commitment, character, service, and leadership in many areas of campus life. With each honoree, Coleman noted the many ways the recipients have impacted the BSC community.

This year’s President’s Service Awards were presented to: athletic trainers at the College, including Abby Bouldin, Rachel Morris, Alyssa Parrinello, and Lara Casey Reid, who spent countless hours as COVID-19 contact tracers to allow student-athletes and athletics staff to safely compete this year; Jennifer Waters ’86, who will retire this spring after decades of unmatched service to the College as an alumna, parent, and staff member in admissions and alumni engagement; Thornton Muncher, a senior student who demonstrates honesty in the classroom and showcases his love for BSC through leadership; and posthumously to Daphne Powell, who passed away suddenly this spring, for her transformational work in donor relations.

Here are a few of our campus-wide awards and honors for the 2021-2022 academic year.

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

Rachael Aileen Brooks, a biology major from Birmingham, Ala.
“Murals and Memory: Preservation of the Berlin Wall Through the East Side Gallery” with Randy Law

Abigail Christine Helser, a philosophy, history, and law major from Madison, Ala.
“Pim Stones: Lyricism & Chromesthetics Art” with Jurgen Tarrasch

Thornton Taylor Muncher, a literature, religion, and mythology major from Sumiton, Ala.
“A Theatrical Bout: Rapier Dueling and Its Use in Theatre” with Jessica Hines

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

Gracie Ann Ricci, a sociology major from Memphis, Tenn.

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:

Emily Derose Sellers, a business administration major from Huntsville, Ala.

The President’s Service Award is presented to members of the campus community who show commitment, character, service, and leadership:

BSC Athletic Trainers: Abby Bouldin, Rachel Morris, Alyssa Parrinello, Lara Casey Reid

Jennifer Howard Waters ’86, director of alumni engagement

Daphne Boman Powell, director of donor relations

Thornton Taylor Muncher, a literature, religion, and mythology major from Sumiton, Ala.

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

Samuel Michael Brucker, a political science major from Hyploluxo, Fla.
Birmingham-Southern Men’s Golf

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

Kenye’ Shauntiece Underwood, a psychology major from Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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

Reagan Nicole Green, a Spanish for the workplace 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:

John Garrett Foley, an English major from Foley, Ala.

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

Thornton Taylor Muncher, a literature, religion, and mythology major from Sumiton, Ala.

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

Hillel Jewish Student Group

The Henry C. Randall Advisor of the Year Award is presented to a faculty or staff member who advises a student organization:

Aaliyah Moore, interim director of student diversity and inclusion
Faculty/Staff Sponsor for 1G

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

Dr. Richard Rector, associate professor of psychology

The Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Classroom honors a faculty member who excels in incorporating diversity into their instruction and interaction with students:

Dr. Sandra Sprayberry, Robert E. Luckie, Jr. Professor of English

The Richebourg Gaillard McWilliams Faculty Scholarship Award is given to an outstanding faculty member who has excelled in scholarship:

Dr. Amy Cottrill, Denson N. Franklin Professor of Religion

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

Teaching Fellows:

Chloe Elizabeth Gardner, a psychology major from Baton Rouge, La.
Teaching Assistant for Psychology 101 with Lynne Trench

Sally Reade Hoffman, a psychology major from Franklin, Tenn.
“Research Methods: A CURE Model” with Shane Pitts

Kobe Lewis Martin, an economics major from Wilsonville, Ala.
Teaching Assistant for Principles of Microeconomics with Randy Cragun

Mara Elizabeth Smith, a musical theatre major from Long Beach, Calif.
“Theatre as Human Rights Activism” with Alan Litsey

Research Fellows:

Madison Elizabeth Blair, an English major from Hoover, Ala.
“Ethical Consumption Before Capitalism” with Jessica Hines
Part of Duke Research Team

Madeleine Michelle Grabarczyk, a junior student from Birmingham, Ala.
“Latin Beyond Rome: Making Visible the Diversity of Ancient Rome” with Mary Hamil Gilbert

Makala Elizabeth Irvin, a psychology major from McCalla, Ala.
“An Investigation of Factors that Influence the Perceived Benefits of Feeling Regret” with Greta Valenti

Leo Andre Proctor, an English major from Saint Paul, Minn.
“Ethical Consumption Before Capitalism” with Jessica Hines
Part of Duke Research Team

Molly Grace Quinn, a psychology major from Dora, Ala.
“Poverty Alleviation Programs in Walker County, Alabama” with Keely Sutton

Victoria Elaine Terry, an English major from Birmingham, Ala.
“Ethical Consumption Before Capitalism” with Jessica Hines
Part of Duke Research Team

Distinguished Teaching Fellow:

Louisa Dorothea Davis, a musical theatre major from Linthicum Heights, Md.
Experimental Learning Project with Alan Litsey

Distinguished Research Fellows:

Laura Alice Hillhouse, a business administration major from Florence, Ala.
“An Analysis of the Association of Union Membership and Cognitive Complexity on the Blame-Credit Transference in Conflict Situations” with Rick Lester

Hannah Marie Lafiosca, a biology major from Fishers, Ind.
“Evaluating Live and Formulated Diets for the Development of Larval and Post-Settlement Juvenile Sea Urchins” with Katie Gibbs

Grayson Hailey Murray, a global and comparative studies major from Birmingham, Ala.
“U.S. Foreign Policy Failures and ‘Blowback’: Analyzing the Root Causes of Migration from Central America” with Vince Gawronski

Cole Randolph Myers, an Asian studies major from Alabaster, Ala.
“A Philosophical Translation of the Liezi ‘Yang Zhu 楊朱’ Chapter” with Daniel Coyle

Leandro Brokaw Rossi, an economics major from San Carlos, Calif.
“Difference-in-Difference Analysis with a Moderator that Varies within Groups: Bias, Prevalence in Published Research, and a Proposed Solution” with Randy Cragun

Andrew Vas Scofield, an applied computer science major from Columbiana, Ala.
“Ethical Consumption Before Capitalism” with Jessica Hines
Part of Duke Research Team

Kailyn Mekhi Showers, a sociology major from Gardendale, Ala.
“Creating Anti-Racist Workplaces” with Stephanie Hansard

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:

Ansleigh Theresa Dailey, a health sciences major from Fairhope, Ala.

Lauren Amanda Dickens, a psychology major from Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Claire Elizabeth Gallion, a biology major from Marietta, Ga.

Chloe Elizabeth Gardner, a psychology major from Baton Rouge, La.

Claudia Grace Glasgow, an English major from Florence, Ala.

Elizabeth Claire Hackenberg, a studio art major from Baton Rouge, La.

Lauren Elizabeth Hayes, a biology major from Pensacola, Fla.

Kaitlyn Noelle Hearn, a psychology major from Franklin, Tenn.

Natalie Anne Justus, a media and film studies major from Marion, Iowa

Geon Lee, a physics major from Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea

Thornton Taylor Muncher, a literature, religion, and mythology major from Sumiton, Ala.

Mary Emerson Owen, a Spanish for the workplace major from Baton Rouge, Ala.

Amber Makay Thompson, a psychology major from Waxhaw, N.C.

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

Lauren Grace Barnett, an economics major from Arab, Ala.

Sydney Alyssa Bates, a chemistry major from Madison, Ala.

Emma Grace Baxter, a business administration major from Hendersonville, Tenn.

Madison Elizabeth Blair, an English major from Hoover, Ala.

Collin Reilly Cortinas, a history major from Fairhope, Ala.

Wilhelmina Shook Durham, a business administration major from Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Reagan Nicole Green, a Spanish for the workplace major from Hoover, Ala.

Ansley Walker Hicks, an accounting major from Gadsden, Ala.

Sarah Slater Hicks, an accounting major from Gadsden, Ala.

Sally Reade Hoffman, a psychology major from Franklin, Tenn.

Hannah Jolynn Hughes, an English major from Millport, Ala.

Killian Joseph Kahalley, a chemistry major from Spanish Fort, Ala.

Mhairi Katharine Kerr, a theatre arts major from Madison, Ala.

Isabella Rose Lambert, a business administration major from Boaz, Ala.

Noah Martin Lunsford, a psychology major from Chelsea, Ala.

Adam Nathaniel Martin, a music major from Birmingham, Ala.

John Peter Crook McCall, a history major from Mobile, Ala.

Colleen Kaitlyn McNorton, an accounting major from Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Allyson Elizabeth Mildenberger, a business administration major from Hixson, Tenn.

Sabrina Oanh Vu Morgavi, a political science major from Madison, Ala.

Mary Halleck Morton, a history major from Knoxville, Tenn.

Robert Irwin Oliver, a business administration major from Birmingham, Ala.

Julie Marguerite Parker, a psychology major from Huntsville, Ala.

Kiera Nicole Lyn Poole, an art history major from Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Katherine Grace Powell, an economics major from Tallahassee, Fla.

Molly Grace Quinn, a psychology major from Dora, Ala.

Marissa-Darlene Revel, a theatric production and literacy major from Birmingham, Ala.

Emma Bailey Smith, a business administration major from Auburn, Ala.

Joseph Cromwell Swing, a business administration major from Huntsville, Ala.

Mae Elizabeth Taul, a business administration major from Fairhope, Ala.

Garrett Wade Thrash, a chemistry major from Fyffe, Ala.

Catherine Evelyn Watson, a physics major from Ridgeland, Miss.

Evelyn A. Whitsett, a psychology major from Birmingham, Ala.

Courtney Allison Wild, a business administration major from Collierville, Tenn.

Mallory Elizabeth Wilson, a business administration major from Santa Fe, N.M.

View the full Honors Day 2021 Program to see other awards, scholarships, and honors.