'Southern Winter 2019

emembers playing on campus with Lovin as a child. “He was an
only child, but he made friends quickly,” Smith says. “John always
put others first, which was probably strongly influenced by his
parents’ love of entertaining and taking people in.”
She remembers Lovin’s parents looking out for Birmingham-
Southern students who did not have family living nearby, making
sure they felt at home.
His parents were also influential in his passion for music and fine
arts. Nina Lovin was an artist who encouraged her son to participate
in organizations like the Birmingham Boys Choir. Lovin faithfully
attended theatre performances and the Alabama Symphony
Orchestra throughout his life.
A math major at Birmingham-Southern, Lovin went on to obtain
his master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. He began his career
at Liberty National Life Insurance, where he eventually became
executive vice president.
Susan Anderson, whose husband Charles Anderson Jr., was a
close friend and work associate of Lovin, considered him family.
“He was always innovative,” Anderson says. “He brought in the first
Amdahl computer to Birmingham, which completely modernized
Liberty National.”
She also recalls Lovin’s work ethic, as he would work night and
day. Any free time he had was spent making a difference in the
community he loved.
“John had an incredible desire to make the world a better place,”
says Canterbury United Methodist Church Associate Pastor Sam
Williamson ’83. “He wanted to give back to the community that
had given him so much. He gave unconditionally to many people
and never did it for the recognition.”
Williamson came to know Lovin through Canterbury, where Lovin
was a member his entire life. He was able to witness the committed,
In 2005, he decided to become a full-time photographer. His
specialization is in people and events for corporate, advertising, and
editorial clients.
“No one gets to where they are by themselves,” Farley says. “I was
given opportunities from people I didn’t have personal connections
with that allowed me to do things I otherwise wouldn’t have been
able to do. It is part of being included in a community.”
The media and film studies department received a Lowell light kit.
Department chair Teddy Champion says the light kit will be housed
in their new studio and used for interviews, student exercises, and
occasionally out in the field.
Farley also donated several 35mm film cameras, digital SLR
cameras, and lenses to the art department.
“The equipment will become part of the collection of cameras
and lenses that are available to students for use when enrolled
in photography courses,” says Pamela Venz, chair of the art
department. “The collection allows students to experience
professional-level photographic equipment if they do not have
access to that equipment themselves.”
Senior art major Mary Beth Yaeger has already benefitted from
using this collection of equipment. While taking Venz’s intro class
on basic camera mechanics, part of the course required possession
of a film camera, which costs about $500. Yaeger, who is paying
her own way through school, says purchasing even a used camera
was not a viable option.
“can-do” spirit possessed by Lovin during his time spent volunteering
with the Beeson Trust, established at Canterbury by the late Lucille
Stewart Beeson (whose husband, Dwight Beeson, was also a Liberty
National executive) to help senior citizens in the community.
Lovin used his intellect to assist low-income families with their
taxes, receiving multiple medals from AARP for his service. “People got
an extra service with John that I know other volunteers didn’t provide,”
Smith says. “If they were unable to leave their home, he would
personally go to their house, pick up the needed paperwork, and return
it to them finished.”
Williamson recounts multiple instances when an individual’s
need, for items such as a refrigerator or groceries, would be brought
to Lovin’s attention, and he would have it delivered to their house
anonymously.
Birmingham-Southern College remained important to Lovin
throughout his life. Many of the items that he chose to surround
himself with were representative of the College. His favorite chair was
black with the BSC emblem proudly displayed, a gift he received when
he was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996.
In addition to providing future students the opportunity to receive
the quality liberal arts education of which Lovin was so proud, the
Nina Rae and John W. Lovin Endowed Fund will also allow the music
department to make necessary updates in the Hill Music Building.
“John was a mentor, encourager, believer, hard worker, and giver,
who gave not only monetarily, but also of his time,” Anderson says.
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“Donations like this are so necessary for students like me,” Yaeger
says. “It really means a lot more than just a dollar amount.”
Being able to use a film camera from the collection allowed Yaeger
to learn about the basics of motion and light and how to manipulate
a camera, helping her develop a new skill.
Sara Jones, a senior political science major, became infatuated with
photography after taking her first intro class. She is now in Venz’s
more advanced photography lab course.
“I’ve tried other art mediums before, but the thing with
photography is that it is hard to get started because you need a
quality camera,” Jones says. “If this collection had not existed,
I would never have been able to try out something so new, just
because of a lack of equipment.”
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