Southern-Spring 2017

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CAMPUS
Faculty achievements
• Dr. Joe Chandler ’03, assistant professor of psychology, received
this year’s Bob Whetstone Faculty Development Award, given by the
Provost’s Office. Chandler has been teaching at the college since
2013; he specializes in the consciousness, including individual
differences in sleep and sleep loss, temporal meta-awareness,
performance modeling, and social justice. He is the founder of and
principal investigator at the ’Southern Sleep Laboratory.
• Professor of Biology Dr. Scot Duncan co-authored an article on
this fall with renowned biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson urging
Alabama residents to vote for a ballot amendment in support of
securing state park funding. Duncan, the author of Southern Wonder:
Alabama’s Surprising Biodiversity , argues that the state’s parks provide
cherished experiences for people and protect a wide range of natural
resources. The amendment passed in November’s election.
• Dr. Jason Heaton, associate professor of biology, co-authored a guest
blog on the website for Scientific American called “The Fossil That
Rewrote Human History.” He celebrated the 80th anniversary of the
first fossil adult ape man found in South Africa, which pointed to key
information about human evolution; it was found at the site Heaton
has been working at for 16 years.
• The college awarded retired faculty member Dr. Wayne Shew the title
of emeritus professor of biology. Shew, who retired last May, taught
in the Biology Department for 38 years, including three years as chair
of the Division of Science and Mathematics. He also served as interim
and associate provost.
• Associate Professor of Art History Dr. Timothy Smith will speak at
the college’s 2017 graduation ceremony after being named BSC’s
Outstanding Educator of the Year. The award, which includes a
cash stipend, is given to a member of the faculty who, according to
recommendations by his or her colleagues, excels in all aspects of
teaching, including scholarship, classroom performance, and student
advising. Smith was recently named associate provost to follow Dr.
Susan Hagen when she retires in 2017.
• Dr. Melanie Styers ’99, assistant professor of biology, has teamed up
with other local scientists to form the Alabama Scientific Advisory
Group (ASAG), which is designed to offer policy makers access to
scientific experts. Members represent a wide range of expertise, from
human health and biomedical research to environmental science. The
group has met with U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama’s Sixth District
and is sponsoring a luncheon this spring focused on STEM education
and workforce development.
• BSC’s Media and Film Studies Department was cited as the best
film program in Alabama by ICX Media in its nationwide ranking
this March. Schools were chosen based on their overall ratings,
reputation, notable alumni, internship opportunities, faculty
accomplishments, and more.
watchword
“Being a ‘Yankee,’ I was warned in advance
that my students at BSC would be more
politically and socially conservative than what
I was used to (coming from the University of
New Hampshire). However, midway into my
first semester, I found that the majority of
my students were able to critically engage
in potentially controversial topics such as
LGBT rights, health care reform, and the
legalization of marijuana. We also discussed
the class inequality between them as middle-
or upper-class students living within the
gated ‘Hilltop’ campus and the surrounding
lower social class neighborhood immediately
outside of the campus gates. The real
challenge arose when it came to discussing
race in the classroom.”
— Dr. Meghan Mills, assistant professor
of sociology, writing in The Conversation
).
Paying it forward —More than 400 first-year and
transfer students fanned out around Birmingham for a half-day
of community service during New Student Orientation at the
beginning of fall term. Twenty-nine teams spent the morning
volunteering at parks, nonprofit organizations, and agencies,
including the Exceptional Foundation, Turkey Creek Nature
Preserve, Girls Inc., and the Community Food Bank of Central
Alabama. Afterwards, the students assembled at Railroad Park
for lunch and a discussion about their experience. Now in its
fourth year, “Engage: Service in the City” helps new students
to learn about their community and leaves them with the
unforgettable experience of giving back to it. “Engage” also
introduces students to local community partners and possible
avenues for service learning during their BSC career.