Some Samford University residence facilities will be refurbished in time for the fall semester under a plan approved March 7 by the University's board of trustees executive committee.
The first phase of the multi-year refurbishment plan will take place during the summer and be completed in time for the fall 2006 semester. Phase one plans include new furnishings for the student apartments on Odom Lane and Pittman Hall. All rooms in the University's West campus residence facilities also will be painted. Other plans include replacing mattresses.
In addition to the refurbishment plan, trustees approved a recommendation to appoint Archie Lockamy as the Margaret Gage Bush Professor of Business for the 2006-07 academic year. As Bush Professor, Lockamy takes the chair formerly held by Marlene M. Reed, who retired. Lockamy has served on the Samford School of Business faculty since 2000.
Trustees also approved a new honor, The Samford University Medallion, to recognize individuals for civic accomplishments. The purpose of the new award is to honor those who may have been "less publicly recognized to this point in their lives," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts
Recipients will be "persons clearly responsible for specific deeds of kindness, documented actions that make a difference in community and civic life," according to the recommendation. The Medallion will be presented at commencement, although it may be presented at other significant University events.
In other action, trustees approved sabbatical leaves for seven faculty members during the 2006-07 academic year.
University administrators reported on the progress of the multi-year improvement plan, "The Promise for All Generations." A new music building and recital hall are on track for completion by the fall 2006 semester, according to Don Mott, Samford's vice president for facilities. Earthwork has begun on a new 132,000-square-foot multipurpose facility that will include an arena, offices and a fitness-wellness center.
A new tennis complex on the west side of the University campus should be ready for use in the fall, Mott said. Work also continues on a campus-wide upgrading of ventilation and cooling systems that includes construction of new cooling towers.