Fall 2014 Southern

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Experiential learning—the heart of what
makes BSC so successful
One of the things that I love about working on a college campus is the never-ending opportunity to
experience something new. Just this week, I visited Birmingham-Southern’s brand new cadaver lab,
a converted laboratory in the Stephens Science Center. As a non-scientist, I admit I was apprehensive
about walking into that room, but my anxiety quickly dissipated as I watched the students work. Here,
among the fumes of formaldehyde, 16 young men and women—most hoping to go into medicine or
other health professions when they graduate—are able to immerse themselves in the functions of the
human body in the most visceral way.
As I watched the students move between their textbooks and the donated bodies before them, it dawned
on me that I was seeing one of the purest examples of how experiential education excels. The brightly-
colored anatomical charts on the page and the x-rays spread out on a desktop took on deeper meaning
when the students donned rubber gloves and picked up scalpels to examine the muscles and bones and
nerves. In that moment, ideas transformed into reality. And their professor—Dr. Jason Heaton, this
year’s winner of the Whetstone Award (see p. 8)—stood ready to provide guidance while allowing them
to explore.
“By doing this now, they’ll already have a certain set of knowledge and a huge advantage when they get
to graduate school,” Heaton told me. “It’s a really good opportunity for our students.”
You may be asking “What’s my role in all this?” There are so many ways you can help. Read our feature
on the rise3 learning initiative on p. 20, then spread the word about the groundbreaking work we’re
doing here on the Hilltop. Lend us your own expertise: you might serve as a mentor, host an intern,
become a community partner, or simply come see a performance, exhibition, or presentation to support
the students in their endeavors. Or consider making a donation to set up a scholarship or provide
resources. That new cadaver lab? It took just $10,000 from a generous donor, which provided for the
equipment and materials. Even a small gift—and even a fleeting experience—can make an enormous
impact and change our students’ lives.
Forward, Ever!
Hannah Wolfson
Director of Communications
Editor’s Note
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, President
Bruce Rogers ’80, Chair,
Board of Trustees
’Southern magazine is published
by the Office of Alumni Affairs
and the Office of Communications
at Birmingham-Southern College,
Birmingham, Alabama 35254.
Non-profit postage paid at B’ham.,
AL Permit No. 2575. Postmaster:
Send address changes to: Alumni
Affairs, Birmingham-Southern
College, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Box
549003, Birmingham, AL 35254;
telephone (205) 226-4912; or
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©2014 Birmingham-Southern
College.
Editorial Offices:
10 Stockham Building
900 Arkadelphia Road
Box 549004
Birmingham, AL 35254
Phone: 205/226-4922
Fax: 205/226-4931
E-mail:
Executive Editor: Hannah Wolfson,
Director of
Communications
Managing Editor: Pat Cole,
MPPM ’11
Communications
Specialist
Art Director: Tracy Thomas ’92,
Director of Visual
Identity and
Publications
Contributing Writers:
Pat Cole, MPPM ’11
Sarah Erreca, Director of
Sports Information
Chris Lambert ’86, Director of
Alumni Affairs and Stewardship
Bruce Rogers ’80
Hannah Wolfson
Photography:
al.com
Wynter Byrd
Thomas Coiner
Pat Cole
Cari Dean
Jan de Ubl
Hendrix College
Jimmy Mitchell
Pieter Van Hattem
Archived photos
Submitted Photos
Want to learn more about
BSC’s new groundbreaking
undergraduate cadaver lab?
Check it out at