Marching to the majestic strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” hundreds of Samford University seniors processed into Wright Center in Birmingham on May 14–16 for six commencement ceremonies marking the close of the university’s 173rd year. About 1,000 seniors received degrees during the programs as smiling parents, family members and friends looked on. The seventh commencement ceremony was held a week earlier for Beeson Divinity School students.
Speakers touched on a variety of themes ranging from health care to the definition of a Cumberland lawyer, the influence of Christian educators, the making of family films and the planting of trees.
Bradley J. Creed, Samford provost and executive vice president speaking at the Howard College of Arts and Sciences commencement, took his theme from Samford President Andrew Westmoreland’s quote, “We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant.”
‘We are all beneficiaries’
Creed said, “We are all beneficiaries of the contributions, generosity and support of someone besides us.
“Great people plant shade trees that they’ll never sit under. … It’s time to do something productive that will bless others, even if you don’t get credit for it or reap the benefits.”
Lucinda Maine, executive vice president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, told McWhorter School of Pharmacy graduates that the rapidly changing health care landscape means pharmacists today will have even more of an impact on patient care in the future. She told them they must be “smart and bold and passionate and entrepreneurial.”
Nena Sanders, Samford College of Health Sciences vice provost, said health sciences graduates are uniquely prepared to combine their faith, skills and knowledge to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities.
“You will create a life rich in opportunity and fulfillment knowing you make a difference in the life of each person you touch,” she said.
Micheal Flaherty, president of Walden Media, told seniors in the School of the Arts and Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education, “You’ve chosen a career that will have more impact than any other.”
Flaherty’s company is known for the development of family films and literature including “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Charlotte’s Web” and “Bridge to Terabithia.”
William Stevens, retired CEO of Motion Industries and chair of the Samford board of trustees, told Brock School of Business graduates they would do well to follow the words of Samford’s motto, “For God, For Learning, Forever.”
Woodrow Hartzog, associate professor of law at Samford’s Cumberland School of Law, told the law seniors that Cumberland lawyers are relentless.
They know life outside the law, they take themselves “just seriously enough,” they are loyal and they are in the people business.
These traits “make us who we are,” said Hartzog, also a Cumberland graduate.
‘Set an example’
Travis Coleman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Prattville, and president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, urged Beeson graduates to go forth and “set an example for a lifetime.”
Speaking during Beeson commencement in Hodges Chapel on May 6, he said, “Set an example in your public life. Be a pattern for your congregation.”
He told the young ministers that practice leads to improvement and added that he still goes to his church each Saturday to practice his sermon.
Also as part of commencement weekend, Samford seniors, faculty and administrators gathered May 15 for a prayer breakfast that focused on faith, scholarships and friendship.
Westmoreland told the seniors, “Don’t think for one minute that this is the end of anything. It is the beginning of everything. We want you to do well.”
He urged them to continue their association “with each other and with this place.”
(Samford)
Share with others: