Comments from Samford leaders about Dr. Westmoreland’s election
Thomas E. Corts, President
Samford University
"I have known Dr. Andrew Westmoreland professionally for about a decade. I hold him in high regard and feel he is an excellent choice to lead Samford University. He is an active churchman, who has a strong, personal Christian commitment. He has effectively led an important Baptist university in another state. He has served in a variety of university roles, allowing him to comprehend the centrality of the student to the educational enterprise, and to understand the importance of faculty, the reality of friend-raising and fund-raising, being connected to Alabama Baptists and balancing the books. His convictions about quality education, academic freedom, and the distinctive character of an institution such as Samford make him unusually well-qualified for the task.
"My wife and I will be ardent supporters, predicting and pulling for Dr. Westmoreland's success as he leads the next cycle of Samford's advancement and overcomes the weaknesses of his predecessor. Samford is a grand university that has a strong grip on its own identity. With gratitude for 23 all-consuming years, I am more than comfortable in passing the mantle of leadership to Dr. Westmoreland."
Matthew Harrison, President
Student Government Association
“Dr. Westmoreland is an excellent choice to lead our university. I am excited about the energy and experience he will bring with him. His warm personality and genuine interest in students will be a perfect fit for the Samford community.”
Nancy Whitt, Chair
Faculty Senate
“I like [Dr. Westmoreland’s] candor, self-deprecating sense of humor and, above all, his stated commitment to academic freedom. I like very much his practice of hosting in his home the pastors of African American Baptist churches to introduce himself and the school to those who influence potential students. I would hope he'd include [African Methodist Episcopal] and other churches in Birmingham. He said minority recruitment is difficult for students and faculty, but he seems committed to working for it.”
John Duren, Chair
Board of Overseers
Savannah, Georgia
"I was privileged to serve as a member of the Presidential Search Committee. Among several outstanding nominees, Dr. Westmoreland's long service and record of achievement at Ouachita Baptist University was most impressive. It is my prayer that he will be blessed with good judgment and the full support of the Samford community as he serves our university."
Jim Edwards, President
Samford Parents Association
Montgomery , Alabama
“As a parent … I would first like to thank Dr. Corts for his many years of dedicated service and for building a foundation upon which our new president, Dr. Westmoreland, can build Samford University into an even stronger institution. We are excited by Dr. Westmoreland’s credentials and feel that he possesses the education, experience and vision to make Samford University the preeminent Christian university in the country.”