'Southern Winter 2019

Joseph M. Farley ’48 – For
20 years, Farley served as the
president of Alabama Power,
guiding the company through
a time of political and financial
difficulty. He began as a legal
counsel to the company in the
1950’s, with a background in
private law. In 1989, he became
CEO of Southern Nuclear
Operating Company, that later
named the Joseph
M. Farley Nuclear
Electric Generating
Plant in his honor. He
passed away in 2010
at the age of 82.
four
five
Cathy Rye Gilmore ’68 –
Gilmore’s first stage role as
a dancer was at the oldest
theatre in Birmingham for the
performing arts, the Virginia
Samford Theatre, where she is
now president. After beginning
her professional career in New
York, Gilmore cofounded a
Cabaret troupe called The Wits’
Other End, which was based
in Atlanta and Birmingham.
Today, she continues to create
programs and productions that
exemplify the transformative
power of the theatre.
W. Cooper Green ’25 – The Cooper Green Mercy Hospital was named
in 1975 to honor the legacy of Green’s service to the Birmingham
community. He served three terms in the Alabama Legislature, presided
over the Birmingham Post Office, and served as President of the
Birmingham City Commission, where he helped spark the development
of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Museum of
six
Art. Green died in 1980.
Herschell Hamilton MPPM
’96 – With a background in
investment banking, Hamilton
now is co-founder and chief
strategic officer for BLOC Global
Group. The leading southeastbased
U.S. commercial real
estate consulting services firm
has offices in Birmingham and
Washington D.C., contributing
to the economic development,
innovation, and revitalization of
American cities. Hamilton also
serves the community on
multiple boards, including
the Bank of Atlanta’s
seven
Birmingham Branch Board,
the Birmingham Business
Alliance, and Leadership
Birmingham.
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James Hatcher ’43 – Hatcher made incredible strides in
the theatre community, bringing talent and opportunities
to Birmingham. As the Miss Alabama pageant director
for 36 years, two-time producer of the Miss America
pageant, and founding director of Town and Gown Theatre,
Hatcher encouraged young talent to stay in-state. He
received numerous awards, including BSC Distinguished
Alumnus, the first Award of Excellence from the Alabama
State Council of the Arts and Humanities, and the Marian
Galloway Award from Alabama Theatre League. Hatcher
passed away in 1993.
Kristi Tingle Higginbotham ’87 – Higginbotham spends
every day in Birmingham doing what she loves: singing
and acting. Her career has included roles from Velma in
“Hairspray” to The Witch in “Into the Woods” and regular
performances with symphonies such as the Winnipeg
Orchestra, the Alabama Symphony, and the Las Vegas
Philharmonic. She is also a vocal coach and a member of two
local cabaret acts, The Hot Tamales, and Four For Time.