Each August, Samford University welcomes new and returning students in phases. Early arrivals include student athletes, band members, residence life workers and others. By late August, the campus is alive with faculty and students eager to begin a fresh semester. This year is no exception.
“The new academic year is full of promise at Samford, with a stronger enrollment, academic programs, physical plant, financial footing and commitment to our mission,” Samford President Andrew Westmoreland said.
“The members of our faculty and staff look forward to continuing their 170-year-old tradition of welcoming new students into our classrooms and our lives,” Westmoreland said. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 29.
Of Samford’s many strengths, none is more pervasive than the commitment to its mission: to nurture people for God and learning.
“Our commitment to our mission drives all aspects of our work,” Westmoreland said. “From decisions regarding hiring to our plans for residence life and everything between, we try to take into account the convergence of the love of learning with the love of God.
“As people of faith and as members of the larger academic community, we believe that we find in Christ the greatest example for all areas of human development, including the life of the mind,” said Westmoreland, adding that Samford remains grateful to Alabama Baptists — a group of whom founded the school in 1841 — and friends throughout the world for enabling its important work.
This fall’s expected total enrollment will be more than 4,700 strong, with a freshman class that looks to include more than 700 for the fifth consecutive year. Preliminary data show that the student body will hail from 60 of Alabama’s 67 counties and claim 45 states and the District of Columbia as home.
International students will include 30 from China in a new program that underscores Samford’s goal to promote intercultural and international understanding. After attending a bridge program to enhance their language and cultural skills for success in college, the students will enroll as undergraduates in a variety of majors.
Academic news
Veteran faculty will welcome 22 new colleagues, including Brock School of Business Dean J. Howard Finch. Other appointments include U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Landry, Ph.D., commander and professor of aerospace studies in Samford’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 012.
This fall, many new programs, curriculum emphases and guest lecturers will enhance the learning experience for students in all academic areas.
Howard College of Arts and Sciences’ Davis Lecture Series will examine ancient Rome when author Garrett Fagan discusses his book “The Lure of the Arena” on Oct. 13. This fall, the college takes a leadership role in Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education’s new Cultural Passport program that will connect college students to Birmingham’s rich cultural resources.
The School of the Arts’ emphasis on church music and worship leadership adds a dimension with a new worship leadership minor to prepare students for part-time and volunteer music ministry. An innovative REACH conference Sept. 8–9, with such leaders as Gloria Gaither, will explore how today’s musicians can reach others for Jesus Christ.
Brock School of Business continues a successful mentoring program that enters its fifth year with record participation by 77 students and 77 business professionals. This fall, the school begins a new tradition with its inaugural Rite of Passage ceremony, a celebration of student admission into the business program.
Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing has a boost for its student recruitment efforts through a newly received $805,595 federal grant designed to help ease the national shortage of nursing educators (see story, page 17).
The grant will provide loans for graduate and doctoral students pursuing an advanced degree with the intent to teach in a school of nursing.
Samford’s Adult Degree Program continues to offer a bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate through evening classes. Its bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies is designed especially for working adults.
Improved facilities
Pittman Hall, a residence hall for women, has undergone a major renovation and expansion. One of the early buildings built on the Homewood campus in the 1960s, Pittman has been updated to meet current design and code standards. The construction project, on schedule to be completed for Freshman Move-in Day on Aug. 26, added a new wing with 56 beds for a total 155-bed capacity.
Vail and Smith residence halls for freshmen also received interior renovations and new landscaping. Across Lakeshore Drive, the new track and soccer complex that was dedicated last spring will see its first full academic year of spirited competition by Samford athletes.
Samford in service
During the summer, many students put feet to the Great Commission by serving on missions fields around the world. More than 100 undergraduates worked in 32 countries and 10 states. An additional 31 graduate students in Samford’s Beeson Divinity School fanned out to 15 countries, including the tiny Pacific Ocean island of Yap.
Closer to home, many students, faculty and staff continued disaster relief efforts that began for some within hours of the devastating April 27 Alabama tornadoes. Several hundred employees and students selflessly gave time, energy and resources to help their neighbors in need, once again demonstrating that Samford is a place where learning and working intersect securely with the love of God. (SU)
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