History & Mission
First planned by Mrs. Lucille Stewart Beeson and Samford University in 1990, the Dwight Moody and Lucille Stewart Beeson Exceptional Scholars Program was begun in 2001, after Mrs. Beeson's death, as she had provided. Her intention was to reward Alabama high school leaders because of her strong belief in Samford and her hope that young leaders would remain in their native state for higher education and their future lifetimes. The program is distinct, with only a few similar scholarship formats in other states.
Dwight Moody Beeson (1903-85) and his wife, Lucille Stewart Beeson (1905-2001), were devoted friends of Samford. They maintained a close relationship with former President and Mrs. Leslie S. Wright, with former board chair and wife, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gerow Hodges, and many others. The Dwight and Lucille Beeson Center for the Healing Arts is home of the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. The main building for Samford's School of Business is Dwight M. Beeson Hall. The Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library is an essential element of the University's Cumberland School of Law. In addition, residence units in Beeson Woods are named for both Mr. and Mrs. Beeson, and other scholarships, professorships and special endowments resulted from their gifts. Their generosity extended to many other parts of Samford, as well as to many other institutions and community organizations.
Mr. Beeson was an insurance executive with Liberty National Life Insurance Company, now Torchmark Corporation, and Mrs. Beeson was an attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Beeson had no children, but chose to be a blessing to thousands of young people through their support of Samford University.
Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes applications for employment and educational programs from all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national or ethnic origin.
