In celebration of 65 years of our ginkgo trees, Birmingham-Southern College has designated 2023 as the “Year of the Ginkgo” and has identified eight important attributes of BSC students and faculty: Purpose, Connection, Resilience, Caring, Creativity, Leadership, Tenacity and Confidence.
During this year’s Forward Ever Day, we are identifying giving opportunities for each of these attributes. Within the Leadership ideal, no one better exemplifies that role better than Dr. Neal Berte.
Dr. Berte served as Birmingham-Southern's President from 1976 until 2004, when he was appointed Chancellor. During those 28 ½ years, BSC rose to new and greater heights. Dr. Berte was also the founding Chair of Leadership Birmingham, was the President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and led Birmingham’s United Way as Campaign Chair and President. He was Chair of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and was a member of the 16th Street Baptist Church Foundation Board. He also served on the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Dr. Berte’s leadership not only helped Birmingham-Southern flourish, but also made Birmingham and Alabama a better place to live and work. He accomplished all that and could still call each incoming Freshman at BSC by their first name and make time to acknowledge student successes with a coveted “Neal Note” or “Berte-gram”- “I look forward to your continued success.”
And now we can recognize Dr. Berte’s amazing and sincere dedication to Birmingham-Southern by contributing to the Neal Berte Legacy Gift, a non-restricted fund presented to the College in his honor, as part of Forward Ever Day on April 6. A specially designed printed piece will be presented to Dr. Berte containing the names of those who contribute to it once the campaign ends.
Help us honor and celebrate Dr. Berte by making your gift today.
Joelle James Phillips '89, member of the BSC Board of Trustees, shares her #NealReel
Did you receive a "Berte-gram" or a "Neal Note" during your time at Birmingham-Southern? Join The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. in sharing your favorite memories and stories as we honor Dr. Berte.
808 days ago by Danielle Ivey BuchananRev. Keith Thompson '83, President of the Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees, shares his #NealReel
Did you receive a "Berte-gram" or a "Neal Note" during your time at Birmingham-Southern? Join The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. in sharing your favorite memories and stories as we honor Dr. Berte.
809 days ago by Danielle Ivey BuchananSheri S. Salmon '85, BSC's Associate AthleticDirector, shares her #NealReel
Did you receive a "Berte-gram" or a "Neal Note" during your time at Birmingham-Southern? Join The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. in sharing your favorite memories and stories as we honor Dr. Berte.
811 days ago by Danielle Ivey BuchananJamie Box Dabal '03, Vice President of Operations at Children's of Alabama, shares her #NealReel
Did you receive a "Berte-gram" or a "Neal Note" during your time at Birmingham-Southern? Join The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. in sharing your favorite memories and stories as we honor Dr. Berte.
811 days ago by Danielle Ivey Buchanan
Did you receive a "Berte-gram" or a "Neal Note" during your time at Birmingham-Southern? Join The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. in sharing your favorite memories and stories as we honor Dr. Berte.
818 days ago by Danielle Ivey Buchanan
So many in our Birmingham-Southern family have fond memories of receiving a "Neal Note” or “Berte-gram” from Dr. Berte to celebrate an achievement or a job well done. Now it's our turn to return the favor!
When you make your gift, you can "record your personal plea" to share your favorite Dr. Berte story, send him your gratitude, or encourage others in our community to support his legacy.
You can also record a reel on Facebook or Instagram. Use #NealReel when you post so that we can collect videos to share with Dr. Berte as we honor him this Forward Ever Day!
830 days ago by Danielle Ivey BuchananDonors
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