In five ceremonies stretched over two weeks, Samford University awarded 1,340 degrees to its 2021 graduates.
It also honored graduates from 2020, who matriculated last year through virtual commencement services. About 275 came back to walk across the stage and celebrate in person with their peers.
At three of the ceremonies, Samford President Andrew Westmoreland offered three different lessons for a total of nine. (See lessons here.)
“The nine points reflect the things I have tried to understand over the 42 years of my career in higher education, things I lived out very imperfectly but that I still hold as the aspirational goals for my life and my work,” said Westmoreland, according to a Samford news story. “They are incredibly simple, yet difficult to live out.”
The commencement was the last for Westmoreland, who will retire in June after 15 years at the university’s helm. He and his wife, Jeanna, have been honored in various ways in recent weeks, including a resolution of appreciation passed by the Alabama Baptist Education Commission in April.
Andrew Brunson, a pastor who was held in a prison in Turkey for two years, spoke at Beeson Divinity School’s April 30 commencement service. “I think you are coming into a much more challenging environment than I did when I graduated from seminary 30 years ago,” he said. “This time needs men and women of courage who will remain faithful to Jesus under pressure.”
Brunson, who served as a church planter and pastor in Turkey for 23 years, was released in October 2018 after two years of being held on false charges. While in prison, he was threatened with a life sentence and solitary confinement.
“I can tell you from experience you need to prepare your hearts now so that when you are under pressure, when you are afraid, you do not run but you stand firm,” he told Beeson graduates.
Cassandra W. Adams, former assistant dean for Cumberland School of Law’s Public Interest Program and current dean of students at Wake Forest University School of Law, also delivered a moving speech at Cumberland’s event, addressing some of the struggles and hurdles students have faced in the past two years.
‘Pride and joy’
It was a meaningful experience for the class to have her back, as Adams started the journey with this class in 2018 and mentored many students before taking the position at Wake Forest. “To stand before you today, as you are leaving Samford, clothed in Juris Doctor regalia, I am filled with pride and joy as we take this momentous opportunity to recognize and celebrate each of you,” Adams said.
Resolution of appreciation to Andrew and Jeanna Westmoreland
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland has served 15 years as president of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, leading the University to an expanded national reputation for academic quality and maintaining the school’s status as Alabama’s largest private university and one of the leading universities in the South; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland’s presidency has been marked by 11 consecutive years of enrollment growth providing a more than 25 percent increase in the student population; and
WHEREAS, more than 30 new or enhanced academic programs have been added at the undergraduate and graduate level, including many in the College of Health Sciences that was established in 2013 under Andrew Westmoreland’s leadership; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland has led Samford University to raise more than $400 million in philanthropic gifts and has invested approximately $100 million in its physical plant and campus; and
WHEREAS, under Andrew Westmoreland’s leadership, Samford University has continued gains in its reputational standing among higher education institutions, being recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the country in national rankings for teaching quality, value, and affordability; and
WHEREAS, under Andrew Westmoreland’s leadership, Samford University was ranked second in the nation for student engagement by the Wall Street Journal in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland helped lead Samford University to join the historic Southern Conference, the fifth-oldest Division I athletics conference in the country; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland came to Samford following 27 years of service in higher education, including eight as president at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, as president of Samford University, Andrew Westmoreland has shown exemplary leadership in his professional, personal and spiritual life, serving as a mentor, supporter and friend to the Samford community and the higher education community, especially in his two-year term as chair of the board of trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland has been an active and faithful member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham since coming to Samford and has held First Tuesday prayer and devotional sessions with students since 2017; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland and his wife, Jeanna, are well known across the state for their warm personalities, engaging conversations and southern hospitality, welcoming about 10,000 guests in their home each year; and
WHEREAS, Jeanna Westmoreland continued an active career of more than 25 years as a teacher, university educator and administrator, and university president’s wife; and
WHEREAS, Jeanna Westmoreland served as executive director of the Samford Legacy League, a volunteer organization that promotes advocacy for the university and raises scholarship funds, and as a member of the Orlean Beeson School of Education Dean’s Executive Council; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland has been a faithful and loving husband to Jeanna, exemplary father to Riley and faithful owner of two four-legged Corgi fur babies; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Westmoreland plans to reside in Birmingham and continue serving in a part-time capacity as Executive Director of Samford University’s Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the members of the Education Commission of the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting via Zoom, April 22, 2021, express deep appreciation to Andrew Westmoreland for his outstanding service to Samford University and to Alabama Baptists; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Education Commission members extend best wishes to Andrew and Jeanna Westmoreland for a continued rich and fulfilling life of service as they enjoy new ventures following Dr. Westmoreland’s retirement as president of Samford University on June 30, 2021.
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