“You have to tell people how good Samford is.” That was the advice that an advertising executive recently gave Samford University President Tom Corts.
Following that directive, Corts shared with state convention attendees several ways in which Alabama Baptists’ largest university impacts the state of Alabama.
Samford University is larger than 75 percent of cities and towns in Alabama.
It is the largest nongovernment university in Alabama.
Samford was the only public or private university in Alabama that was ranked among the top five in its peer group by U.S. News and World Report.
Samford was cited by the U.S. Secretary of Education as one of the four best teaching programs in the United States — out of 3,600 colleges and universities and as the only one in the Deep South.
With a budget of $100 million per year, Samford qualifies as one of the largest businesses in the state.
Employing 750 full-time employees, Samford is one of the Alabama’s largest employers.
Samford has one of only two accredited law schools in the state, as well as one of the state’s two accredited pharmacy schools.
Beeson Divinity School is the only theological degree-granting school in the state.
According to an economic impact study developed by the University of Alabama, Samford’s economic impact on Alabama in 2002 was more than a quarter of a billion dollars. This includes money brought in by Samford and visitors to Samford and the ripple effect of that money going out of Samford.
However, Corts said, “All of that doesn’t account for much if you believe that the most important thing is that Samford be a Christian institution.
“Yet if Samford can be all of that and be a blessing to the state it is really achieving something unique and very distinctive.”
Which is why Samford graduates are making an impact in their worlds. Corts said Betsy Rogers of Leeds, who has four degrees from Samford, was named the national teacher of the year in April. The Book of Reports said nationally known opera star Elizabeth Futral was honored as Samford’s alumnus of the year, and this year’s convention President Joe Godfrey is a Samford alum. Also, Samford graduates serve as missionaries on five continents.
Samford students have been active in missions work as well.
The Book of Reports said that in the 2002–2003 academic year, more than 100 students participated in special global missions projects and each week students participate in local missions and community outreach projects.
Corts said, “Samford stands not just for the education of young people, but for the education of young people in a Christian context that serves God and them and the society at large.”
Samford is also reaching out to Alabama Baptist ministers and churches. According to the Book of Reports, “Bolstered by a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., the university has established the Resource Center on Pastoral Excellence.”
The school honored those ministers who excelled in their ministries this year at the Nov. 18 breakfast by awarding the annual minister of the year awards.
“Ministers are an important part of who Samford is, not just as students but those in the field who support our university,” said Corts. “We always are pleased to honor those who serve so faithfully in God’s kingdom.”
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