Timeline
April 14, 2005 Samford University President Thomas E. Corts announces plans to retire by the end of the 2005-06 academic year.
April 14, 2005 Samford board of trustees affirms 18-member presidential search committee to begin work immediately.
May 13-14, 2005 Organizational meeting of presidential search committee
May-June, 2005 Presidential search committee mails over 2000 letters to key Samford constituencies inviting nominations for president
June-July, 2005 Presidential search committee advertises president vacancy in regional and national publications and on key higher education Web sites.
July 15-16, 2005 Second meeting of presidential search committee. Committee begins initial review of nominations/applications. Committee hears from representatives of key constituency groups – Rick Lance, executive director, Alabama State Baptist Convention; Nancy Whitt, chair, Samford Faculty Senate; and Lisa McNeal, president-elect, Samford’s Staff Advisory Council.
August 23, 2005 Presidential search committee co-chairs address annual Faculty Workshop, providing updates on search process.
August 24, 2005 Presidential search committee secretary addresses annual staff pre-school workshop, providing updates on search process.
August 26-27, 2005 Third meeting of presidential search committee. Committee continues initial review of nominations/applications. Committee hears from Samford student government president Matthew Harrison about student concerns.
October 14-15, 2005 Committee begins narrowing list of candidates.
November 11-12, 2005 Fifth meeting of presidential search committee.
November 2005 Committee narrows list of leading candidates. Committee representatives conduct preliminary interviews with leading candidates.
November 28, 2005 Committee interviews Dr. Andrew Westmoreland in Birmingham.
November 29, 2005 Board of trustees receives update from presidential search committee. Approves list of invitees for constituent reference panels.
November 30, 2005 Invitations extended to 49 individuals to serve on faculty/staff, student or alumni/friends reference panel.
December 6, 2005 Three constituent review panels and key University leadership meet with Dr. Andrew Westmoreland as the next step in the presidential search process.