'Southern 2021

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the next chapter Damian Mitchell ’18 Every morning, Damian Mitchell sets his alarm for 4:27 a.m. “A lot of people would just round up and set their alarm to 4:30,” Mitchell says, “but I want to be somewhere between good and great. Good people wake up at 4:30, and great people wake up at 4:25. I’m not great just yet, but I’ll try to get somewhere in the middle.” As a producer and radio host at WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham, Mitchell begins the day by lining up commercials and reviewing game-day cuts and press conferences for his 6 a.m. radio shows – Jox Morning every weekday, and Jox Game Day every Saturday. To Mitchell, the early mornings never feel like work because he’s talking about the sports news on air that he’s always watched, discussed, and argued over with friends. Mitchell joined the station in 2019, focusing on production. He soon gained his first on-air opportunity in 20-second traffic updates for the Birmingham area, which led to bigger roles in front of the microphone. Mitchell is involved in almost every aspect of several WJOX shows – collecting daily scores and stats, managing sound, and starring as the on-air personality. Every day, he combines his degree in media and film studies with his love for sports and his past as a BSC football player – and he brings BSC into the Jox Morning conversation whenever possible. “I got the chance to put my personality out there,” he says. “People often want my perspective because I’m the youngest person in the building, and I have playing experience.” Just as he did as a football player, he analyzes his performance, listening to each show after it airs to study what he did right and how he can improve. “You can’t focus on just one thing in radio, and I want to be the most prepared person in the room,” Mitchell says. “I look at every show I do as a game. I want to get better with every show.” He follows advice from Head Football Coach Tony Joe White – to balance seeking perfection and knowing that you can’t be perfect – and from Associate Lecturer of English Melinda Rainey Thompson – to find a clear and genuine voice with his own humor and personality at the core. “I always knew I wanted to stick around the game, and sports radio has given me that chance,” Mitchell says. “It’s just me speaking my mind because I know what these guys are going through. I’m living my dream – I’m getting paid to talk about sports.” Currently listening to: Florida Georgia Line Are you a graduate of the last decade? Tell us what you’re doing next! Email communications@bsc.edu. 20 / ’southern
emembering gala when Stars fell on birmingham c You had to be there. No, really: You had to be there in person to experience the splendor and star power of Birmingham-Southern’s biennial GALA. From 1977 through 2004, under then President Dr. Neal Berte’s direction, GALA recognized 208 of the world’s most accomplished and well-known women. The spotlight wasn’t limited to the living legends, as they engaged with students and faculty, and mixed and mingled with the College’s supporters at large. It shone brightly on Birmingham-Southern’s students and highlighted the city of Birmingham, too. Best of all, Birmingham’s leading social event benefited fine and performing arts students in the form of scholarships and priceless professional contacts. Imagine: Orchids flown in from Singapore (GALA 5) and Bette Davis, a member of Hollywood royalty, holding court a few tables away. Or, at GALA 6: Carolina Herrera arrives at the elegant Ireland house for cocktails, and you get close enough for her to compliment your ensemble. Well, it could have happened. FALL/WINTER <strong>2021</strong> / 21
Page 1 and 2: ALUMNI PODCASTS DEAR BSC MAKING MUS
Page 3 and 4: sc snapshots Conceptual, cerebral,
Page 5 and 6: Like all new technology, streaming
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 2 Letter from
Page 9 and 10: BRINGING THE WORLD TO BSC Birmingha
Page 11 and 12: 2021 OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR At our 20
Page 13 and 14: PANTHER PARTNERSHIPS In November, B
Page 15 and 16: CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Songs for m
Page 17 and 18: Athlete Awards During the shortened
Page 19 and 20: off hours Queenie Hawkins Jekalyn C
Page 21: 8 a.m.: Beard gets into her office
Page 25 and 26: Dear BSC, Throughout 2021, special
Page 27 and 28: One of my first classes at Birmingh
Page 29 and 30: one story, our own, and understand
Page 31 and 32: college search drove home. -Souther
Page 33 and 34: connections I made with my professo
Page 35 and 36: It would not be hyperbole to say th
Page 37 and 38: in campaign management, messaging r
Page 39 and 40: alumni stories MAKING music Whether
Page 41 and 42: Moxie Hotel Playlist Moxie Hotel At
Page 43 and 44: The Best of Sting and The Police Pl
Page 45 and 46: Make Me Wanna (2019) Rising STAR
Page 47 and 48: Additionally, most of the fall sess
Page 49 and 50: StellaFit Portola Valley, Californi
Page 51 and 52: 48 / ’southern FALL/WINTER 2021 /
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Page 55 and 56: FALL/WINTER 2021 / 53
Page 57 and 58: Homecoming 2021 included a special
Page 59 and 60: Since the 2020 event canceled due t
Page 61 and 62: Dr. Michael Callahan ‘67 Pamela P
Page 63 and 64: Help students recharge at the Fount
Page 65 and 66: Remembering Clay Long A Hilltop Tri
Page 67 and 68: Stay in TOUCH! Rowdy’s Playlist K

'Southern 2021

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