Samford University students and alumni were encouraged to find their passion — and in turn, their purpose — in life, at a worship service that concluded a weekend of homecoming events.
“There is no other time when people are asking more questions, and seeking God’s direction more, than when they are students,” observed Wanda Seay Lee, 2004 Alumna of the Year and guest speaker at the Oct. 31 worship service.
“When a person has a passion for God, you will see it in the way they live out their lives, and in the way they reach out to others,” said Lee, a 1969 Samford nursing graduate who is executive director/treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Connetion.
Lee and Marvin Mann, founder/chairman emeritus of Lexmark International, Inc., were honored as Alumni of the Year at the annual homecoming banquet Oct. 29. The banquet was the setting for the naming of two honorary members of the Samford Alumni Association.
Longtime Samford supporters Elouise and Harold Williams of Birmingham were named the first recipients of a new designation, alumnus honoris causa. The honor, given to individuals who are not Samford graduates, recognizes outstanding service to the university.
The couple has a long history of support for Samford, noted Alumni Association President Bennie Bumpers. “Their lives are so closely entwined with Samford that most people will be surprised to learn that they aren’t Samford graduates,” he said.
A pep rally, bonfire and fireworks display followed the banquet. Hundreds of alumni and families attended a reunions for classes and affinity groups during the weekend. Special events recognized the 80th anniversary of Hypatia honor society and the 20th anniversary of the London Study Programs. Football halftime activity featured the presentation of the homecoming court and the crowning of the queen, Katie Hall, a senior communication studies major from Tyler, Texas. Her parents, Jenny and Danny Hall, now live in Birmingham. Sam Hawes, an English and Spanish major from Plymouth, Ind., was senior honor escort. Both were elected by the student body.
The homecoming court also included seniors Hannah Hunter of Metairie, La., Jewel Littleton of Birmingham, Brian Pavlick of Montgomery and Josh Taylor of Sylacauga; juniors Matt Harrison of Huntsville and Lacey Sims of Magnolia Springs; sophomores D.J. Carter of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Suzie Hornor of Germantown, Tenn; and freshmen Sophia Martorana of Monroeville and Paul McNeese of Montgomery.
The Samford Bulldogs won 20–17 over Tennessee Tech. Country music star Brad Paisley entertained on Saturday night. Homecoming activities included a Thursday night organ recital honoring retired music faculty member H. Edward Tibbs.
Five of his former students, representing each of the decades he taught at Samford, performed on the organ, which he helped design. The organ is located in A. Gerow Hodges Chapel. (SU)
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