She possessed an irrepressible spark of vitality and lived each moment to the fullest.  If the world is indeed a stage, Bonnie would inhabit the spotlight.  After graduating from Samford in 1955, she headed to Hollywood and appeared in television and movies.  She moved on to New York and became a Wall Street stockbroker, one of the first women to earn a seat on the exchange. It was in New York that she met and married John Swearingen, the CEO of Standard Oil of Indiana (now BP America). Bonnie also devoted her time to significant civic and philanthropic causes. Many leaders of industry, politics and society—including several U.S. presidents—knew Bonnie as a friend.

One vignette.  The first time that Jeanna and I met Bonnie was soon after our arrival at Samford in 2006, when we hosted a small dinner party in her honor.  Over dessert, and as the room was quiet, she looked at us and said to Jeanna, “Did he kiss you on the first date?”  You’ll have to ask Jeanna how she responded.

Bonnie never forgot Samford.  She loved this university, its campus and its people.  We give thanks for the legacy of Bonnie’s remarkable life. 

The world is better because of Bonnie Bolding, who taught us that each day of life is a cause for joy.