Birmingham-Southern College’s spring commencement ceremony celebrated 279 members of the Class of 2023 on Friday, May 19, in Bill Battle Coliseum. Of the 279 degrees conferred, 66 were Bachelor of Arts degrees, 3 were Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, and 210 were Bachelor of Science degrees.

The featured speaker was Dr. Pamela Venz, Professor of Art, who was named 2022 Outstanding Educator of the Year. Born and raised in Birmingham, Venz received her BA degree in sculpture and photography from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1983 and an MFA degree in Studio Art from The Ohio State University in 1985. She joined the BSC faculty in 1988 and designed the curriculum for a new photography concentration for the art department. From 2006-1010, she served as chair of the department and in 2009 was promoted to full professor. 

Since 1990, Venz’s work has been included in 21 national juried exhibitions, 18 invitational exhibitions, and over 30 one-person and group exhibitions across the country. In 2006 and 2007, her photographs were included in exhibitions in the Czech Republic. In 2004, she was awarded an Alabama State Council on the Arts Artist Fellowship, and in 2014, she was awarded 2nd Place at the Dogwood Arts Festival Regional Fine Art Exhibition. In addition, she has earned numerous academic awards from BSC.  

“Make it your mission to put good into this world,” Venz told the graduates and guests. “I truly believe that if you do that then good will come to you. I have seen this in action in my own life but also this year through letters, articles, and testimonials the good that Birmingham-Southern has put into this world was heralded … And when the good that is Birmingham-Southern College was recounted in so many ways that legacy of goodness gave us a second chance: A chance to prevail and remain for you and those who will follow you.  

“Put good into this world. Use your persistence, your passions, your dedication, and your courage to put good into this world for goodness is the light that illuminates the darker corners of this life, that ‘pops’ off the dark backgrounds. It is the light that others will follow, and you the class of 2023 are now challenged by the legacy of this college community to bear that light with you as you now leave to write your own legacy stories.” 

Other platform participants included BSC President Daniel B. Coleman; BSC Board of Trustees Chair Rev. Keith Thompson ’83, senior pastor at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham; Board Vice Chair Joelle James Phillips ’89, president of AT&T Tennessee; alumni representative Jennifer Howard Waters ’86 of Birmingham; and BSC Chaplain Rev. Julie Blackwelder Holly ’01. 

At the ceremony, BSC Interim Provost Dr. Timothy B. Smith named Dr. Greta Valenti, Associate Professor of Psychology, as the 2023 Outstanding Educator of the Year. 

Commencement was the final event celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2023. Other events included the traditional ringing of the campus bell by seniors on their last day of classes; a senior party on the quad on Tuesday, May 16; and the annual Baccalaureate service on May 18 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, with featured speaker Rev. Brian Erickson ’97, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church and a member of the BSC Board of Trustees.  

One of BSC’s most beloved traditions is Capping, held on May 18 in Bill Battle Coliseum. In this unique ceremony, seniors choose a mentor or family member to place the mortar board on their head and honor the influence their “cappers” have had on their lives.  

The Capping speaker, chosen by graduating seniors, was Head Baseball Coach Jan Weisberg, who recently achieved both 500 career coaching wins and his 500th coaching win at BSC and was honored with the 2023 President’s Service Award.