Samford University students who arrive on campus for the fall 2007 semester will find things quite different than did their predecessors who entered the college gates off Lakeshore Drive for the first time five decades ago.
“Fifty years ago, in the hot summer of 1957, the employees of Howard College were arranging offices and classrooms on the new campus in Homewood, anticipating the beginning of the academic year,” said Samford President Andrew W. Westmoreland, noting that this fall marks the 50-year anniversary of the school’s move from the East Lake area of Birmingham.
Although the school had enjoyed many years of success in East Lake, where it had moved in 1887 from its 1841 founding site in Marion, the new campus beckoned excitedly.
“Few people could have imagined the changes that would occur over the next half-century, including the addition of dozens of new buildings and the creation of new academic programs,” Westmoreland said. Construction continues to this day with several projects about to wrap up just in time for enjoyment and use this fall.
“Despite the differences, Samford University remains committed to the Christian principles upon which the institution was founded in 1841. As we welcome new members of the Samford community this fall, we acknowledge our great heritage with Alabama Baptists,” said Westmoreland, adding a special request: “As always, please keep Samford in your prayers.”
Life on campus
The “Samford community” for the 2007–2008 academic year will include a student body of about 4,500. Members of the freshman class, expected to number about 730, will arrive on campus Aug. 23 to begin four days of events known as Connections.
The new students will meet in small groups for faculty-led discussion of pre-assigned summer readings and a lecture by Provost Brad Creed. They will also enjoy final orientation sessions and fun activities to acquaint them with the campus, their new Birmingham community and area churches.
The teaching ranks will include 28 new full-time faculty members with two new department chairs: Mikle D. Ledgerwood, world languages and cultures, and Larry D. Thompson, art.
New facilities
The number of Georgian-Colonial buildings that welcomed students in 1957 has increased almost yearly since and 2007 is no exception.
The Pete Hanna Center, scheduled for completion by the end of September, will be dedicated in October. The 136,000-square-foot facility will contain a 5,000
retractable-seat arena, athletic administration offices and a fitness area equipped with exercise equipment for wellness and training needs. The center will also be the site of future graduation activity.
A 600-space north campus parking deck will be ready for use when classes begin in late August. Since it replaces a 100-space lot, students and campus visitors alike will appreciate the benefit to drivers destined for central campus residence halls, Seibert Stadium and the new Hanna Center.
The Hazel P. Boren Courtyard and Gardens adjacent to Wright Center will soon be open for enjoyment, creating a stately and restful space for outdoor concerts and other events. Low brick and limestone seat walls lead to a handsome oval-shaped central courtyard.
Other improvements include new flooring for central and west campus residence halls and a boiler plant and chiller plant expansion. The latter project will accommodate growth of campus facilities and replacement of aging equipment with added benefits of increased capacity, flexibility and efficiency.
New idea
A collaboration between Samford’s office of residence life and the Cumberland School of Law’s Community Mediation Center has resulted in the launch of the Samford Residence Life Mediation Program.
The program will provide free and confidential mediation services to residents of student housing, as well as to any other Samford student, faculty or staff member.
Under the plan, residence life staff can refer disputes to the mediation center and a law student trained in mediation will mediate the issues between individuals.
Something for everyone
Throughout the academic year, Samford hosts many performances, lectures and events. Undergraduate student convocations are held in Reid Chapel at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when guest speakers present a variety of topics.
This fall, Samford’s Beeson Divinity School chose Walking with the Saints as the theme for its weekly worship services held in A. Gerow Hodges Chapel at 11 a.m. on most Tuesdays. The series, which will highlight the lives and legacies of people who have influenced the Christian church, opens Aug. 28 with Beeson Dean Timothy George preaching on St. Patrick of Ireland.
On the athletic front, the Samford Bulldogs football opener against the University of West Alabama on Aug. 30 will usher in the Pat Sullivan era at Samford. The veteran college coach, Auburn University quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner was named head football coach in December. The opening game will also herald the Bulldogs’ debut on a new statewide radio network. Six stations will join campus station WVSU 91.1 to form a syndicate for the Samford Football Radio Network. (Samford)
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