39 / 64
fall 2014 / 37
ALUMNI AFFAIRS
’Southern: Why did
you choose BSC?
Abe:
I was 18 when I came to
the United States. My brother,
an affluent businessman, was
already in Birmingham. He
told me about Birmingham-
Southern and encouraged me
to apply.
Alex:
I was trying to choose
between Birmingham-Southern
and Auburn, and although I
felt the schools balanced out
as far as the pros and cons, it
just made more sense to go
to BSC. I had already gotten
accepted here, and so many
of my family members had
attended, including my dad,
and they turned out well and
spoke highly of it. I just figured
that it was the best choice for
me, too. Although I lived in
Birmingham, I had never visited
the campus before I applied.
Knowing that Uncle Abe, my
dad, and other family members
walked around this same
campus is pretty cool.
David:
BSC had a reputation
for providing an excellent
education, and while that was
important, what really sold me
was the campus. Although it
was practically in downtown
Birmingham, you felt like you
were on a hilltop miles away.
’Southern: Do you
have a favorite
BSC memory or
moment?
Abe:
I have two favorite
memories. My senior year, I
won a BSC award for having
the most books in a home
A conversation with three Fawals
Alex Fawal is a junior mathematics major at BSC; his father, David Fawal, is an attorney at Butler Snow LLP; and Dr. Abe Fawal, or “Uncle
Abe,” as many of his family members affectionately call him, is a retired professor, novelist, and filmmaker. Dr. Fawal served as an adjunct
professor in BSC’s former Adult Studies Program from 1987-96 and taught film and literature at UAB for decades before he retired. Upon
graduating from BSC and earning his master’s degree in film studies from UCLA, he landed a job working as a top assistant during the filming
of the Oscar-winning epic Lawrence of Arabia. The first of his two novels,
On the Hills of God
, won a PEN Oakland literary award.
library—300. My two favorite
people on campus were [the
late] Professor of Theatre
Dr. Arnold Powell and [the
late] Dr. Cecil Abernethy
’37, dean of students and
professor of English, with
whom I became very, very
close. After I graduated, Arnold
and I maintained a 35-year
friendship; we wrote screenplays
and formed a film company
together.
Alex:
I really enjoy the fraternity
aspect—the mixers and parties
we have, hanging out at
sporting events together, and
doing philanthropy projects.
We try to do at least 40-plus
hours of community service
each semester. In the past,
we’ve spread mulch and fixed
up the garden areas at the
BSC EcoScape. We also visit
homeless shelters and have
done some projects there. I
enjoy helping others and
our philanthropy projects
encompass a lot of what our
fraternity does.
David:
Graduating. I loved my
four years at BSC, but when it
was done, I was ready to move
on to the next phase of my life,
and BSC prepared me to do so.
’Southern: How do/
did you spend your
time?
Abe:
I hung out with Dr.
Powell, the theatre professor,
and participated in theatre
productions whenever I could.
I also enjoyed attending lectures
in Munger Hall Auditorium
on Wednesday mornings with
the entire college community;
theatrical productions were also
performed there.
Alex:
I’m a member of the math
honor society. Other than that,
I go to a lot of football and
basketball games, lectures, and
other events on campus and
hang out with my fraternity
brothers and friends.
David:
I had a close group of
friends and spent a lot of time
with them. I also worked my
entire time at BSC and that kept
me busy as well.
’Southern: What
are some of the
developments on
campus that impress
you the most?
Abe:
The College Theatre that
was built after I left… The
theatre’s design elements, which
include a lift and turntable,
were common in England, but
unique in the U.S. when it was
constructed.
Alex:
I like the new Olin 205
digital classroom and the recent
campus upgrade to the SEC
Network, which is useful to
watch SEC football games on
Saturdays.
David:
The new dorms,
fraternity houses, and
apartments.
’Southern: What
did you learn at
BSC that you feel
prepared you for the
rest of your life?
Abe:
One of my professors told
me if you don’t understand
something, ask. I’ll never forget
it. It was such a simple piece of
advice, but it has made all the
difference in the world.
David:
Leadership—that has
served me well over the years,
both in my Navy career and law
practice.
’Southern: Alex,
what do you hope
to do when you
graduate?
Alex:
I might go to graduate
school in mathematics and
pursue a career around sports
and math—maybe become a
statistician. I plan to participate
in an internship one summer;
I’d like to work in a place that
deals with math and sports
and see if that will move me
closer to my goal. Teaching is
also an option. I’ve thought
about it every now and then.
I’ll probably try to stay in
Birmingham since I’ve been
here for the majority of my life.
’Southern: Abe and
David, what advice
do you have for BSC
students like Alex?
Abe:
Be grateful that you belong
to a college like Birmingham-
Southern. It’s a great college,
and I loved it. Having earned
my Ph.D. from Oxford
University, I’ve always believed
that BSC is the closest college
to Oxford in terms of quality of
teaching.
David:
Work hard, have fun,
and take advantage of all the
leadership opportunities you
can.