Samford University wrapped up a yearlong celebration of its 175th anniversary this spring with a special convocation and a commemoration of the observance during recent commencement ceremonies.
Founded as Howard College by Alabama Baptists and chartered by the state of Alabama in December 1841, the university has prospered during the 175 years. It is now the largest private university in Alabama with more than 5,400 students from 47 states and 29 countries.
Earlier in the spring, the university dedicated a distinct piece of sculpture, an original armillary sphere, as a permanent reminder of the 175th anniversary. The sphere resides on a pedestal near the entrance to Reid Chapel and was created by renowned British artist David Harber based on a 250 A.D. design.
Meaning of the sphere
The sphere is engraved with the names of the university’s founders, a verse from the Book of Psalms and compass points to global destinations that reflect Samford’s academic and spiritual roots. The compass points are Jerusalem; Athens; London; Providence, Rhode Island; and Marion, Alabama.
During a convocation prior to the unveiling of the sphere, University historian and history department chair Jonathan Bass traced Samford’s origin to a movement sweeping the nation in the 1830s and 1840s to establish colleges “to train ministers; teach young people Western and Christian traditions; and provide moral order to the community.”
Bass noted that those primarily responsible for the establishment of the school were prominent Alabama Baptists, including planter Edwin D. King, minister James H. DeVotie, businesswoman Julia Barron and educator Milo Jewett.
In addition to the convocation and sphere dedication, other highlights of the anniversary year included:
• Dedication of a statue honoring British prison reformer John Howard, the school’s original namesake.
• Dedication of the historic state-of-the-art College of Health Sciences facilities.
• Eighth consecutive record enrollment.
• 175th anniversary convocation of thanksgiving and other 175th anniversary events during homecoming weekend.
• Launch of multiyear, $300 million Forever Samford fundraising campaign.
• 175th anniversary of chartering by the State of Alabama on Dec. 29, 1841.
• 175th anniversary of first classes on Jan. 3, 1841.
• 175th anniversary convocation celebrating the university’s heritage of teaching and scholarship.
• Approval by the board of trustees of the most sweeping campus master plan update in 60 years.
Samford President Andrew Westmoreland cited one of his favorite lines from William Faulkner in opening remarks of the fall convocation in August 2016, which marked the start of the academic year 175th observance.
‘Headed somewhere’
“A monument says, ‘I got this far,’ but a footprint says, ‘This is where I was when I moved again.’ Footprints are more significant. They indicate that we were here but we are headed somewhere else to use what we gained here,” Westmoreland said.
“We give thanks for those who built and sustained this institution,” referencing the Alabama Baptist pastors and laypeople of Marion whose ideas and actions helped form Howard College in 1841. (Samford)
For more information about Samford’s 175th anniversary, visit samford.edu/175.
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