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Parents Fund
One of the central components of life at Birmingham-Southern is the common
experience of living on campus. The on-campus living experience is especially
critical for first-year students, many of whom choose BSC because it offers them a
close-knit community that’s unavailable at larger institutions. At the same time, in
the ever-changing world of student recruitment, accommodations and amenities are
increasingly important in prospective students’ college decisions, and comfort and
engagement are critical to the retention and long-term success of all BSC students.
To that end, the 2016-17 Parents Fund is directing its fundraising efforts toward the
revitalization and renewal of BSC’s campus housing, with a special focus on ongoing
renovations to first-year residence halls. Cullen Daniel underwent a revamp this
summer and now has new bathrooms, fresh paint, new lighting, and updated common
areas. Margaret Daniel is currently closed for similar renovations, and work on New
Men’s totalling an estimated $500,000 is slated to begin this summer. Hanson—which
houses first-year honors students as well as sophomores—also needs updating to the
common areas, which a number of student groups use.
This effort is a tangible way to give towards the future of the college and help it
recruit, retain, and graduate the finest students available. If you are interested in
supporting the 2016-17 Parents Fund, please contact John Sweeney at jbsweene@
or (205) 226-4910.
Keep BSC rolling—utilize an IRA
charitable rollover
If you are age 70½ or above and have an IRA, you will want to know this: You
can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to qualifying charities—including
BSC—free from federal income tax each year. If your spouse has a separate IRA,
he or she can also make a charitable IRA rollover gift.
This opportunity applies only to IRAs, not to other types of retirement plans.
You pay no income tax on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable
income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you don’t itemize deductions.
An IRA rollover gift can also satisfy all or part of your required minimum
distribution for the year. Contact your IRA administrator to find out more.
Enhancing
Jewish life
Growing up in Birmingham, Samantha
Dubrinsky ’11 didn’t expect to attend Birmingham-
Southern College. But after a semester at Tulane
University, she returned home to Birmingham and
transferred to BSC. The moment she stepped onto
the Hilltop, she said, she felt at home.
“Transferring to Birmingham-Southern was
the best decision I could have made,” said
Dubrinsky, who is director of community impact
for the Birmingham Jewish Federation. “My
experience at BSC has helped me every step of my
professional journey, and I made friendships that
will last me a lifetime.”
Now, in an effort to ensure that more Jewish
students like Dubrinsky know they’ll have a home
on the Hilltop, BSC has launched an initiative to
increase Jewish student enrollment. Birmingham
philanthropists Hal and Judy Abroms have
generously established the Abroms Scholars
Program for outstanding Jewish students seeking
to attend BSC. The first two Abroms Scholarships
will be awarded next fall.
“The Abroms’ have been longtime leaders in
Birmingham and in the Jewish community, and
their generosity is well known,” said BSC Interim
Vice President for Advancement Dr. Sara Helms
Robicheaux ’97. “This gift will help us attract more
talented Jewish students to BSC and contribute to
the diversity of the campus experience.”
In addition to the Abroms’ gift, the BJF is
providing seed money to establish a Hillel, a place
for Jewish students to gather for fellowship and to
share their experiences with non-Jewish friends.
Dubrinsky, along with BJF Programs and Special
Projects Officer Florina Newcomb ’07, is helping
lead the effort.
BSC currently counts 12 Jewish students, about
one percent of the college’s overall enrollment.
The BJF plans to work with the college’s Office
of Religious Life and Chaplain Julie Blackwelder
Holly ’01—and with Jewish faculty members
like Dr. Lester Seigel ’79, Joseph Hugh Thomas
Professor of Music—to help support current
students and recruit more each year. President
Emeritus Gen. Charles C. Krulak, who volunteers
with the BJF and other causes relevant to the local
Jewish community, is also part of the effort.
“The student body at Birmingham-Southern
is already so rich—adding this component will
only enhance the environment,” Dubrinsky said.
“We’re all excited about the opportunities and
proud to play a role in making that happen.”
To learn more about this ongoing effort, contact
Director of Development Jennifer Sholund ’95 at
(205) 226-4979 or