The Promise
for All Generations
Samford Plans for the Future
Fact Sheet
(Updated October 15, 2007 )
Overview
The Promise is Samford University’s multiyear improvement plan formally approved by the board of trustees in 2003. Since June 1, 2003 more than $55 million has been contributed in philanthropic gifts toward these causes.
Specific Goals and Plans of the Promise
The following near-term projects were formally authorized by the Samford University Board of Trustees beginning in December of 2003. When the campaign formally closed on September 30, 2007, Samford alumni and friends had contributed more than $55 million toward funding of these projects.
Pete Hanna Center - Multipurpose campus facility
- Dedicated at Homecoming 2007 at a cost of $32 million financed by philanthropic gifts.
- Features:
- Thomas E. and Marla H. Corts Arena with 5,000 fixed seats and additional floor seating
- Permanent wooden arena floor with cover for special events
- Ample concession and restroom areas
- Bus and truck docking areas with space for TV trucks and electronics
- Arena storage areas
- VIP conference room
- Weight training room to accommodate Samford student needs
- Multipurpose areas for fitness and recreational use
- Fitness center locker rooms
- Athletics administration and coaches’ offices
- Sports information, marketing and broadcasting offices
- Film viewing rooms
- Team conference meeting rooms
- Facilities to accommodate men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball
- Locker rooms for teams and officials
- Athletic training facilities
Designed by Stanmar, Inc., Sudbury, Mass.
Jane Hollock Brock Hall
- Construction was authorized by the board of trustees in December of 2003. Philanthropy support provided the $8.3 million for the project. The building was dedicated in October 2006.
- Features:
- 300-seat recital hall
- Rehearsal hall
- Teaching studios and practice rooms
- Instrumental storage and repair workshop
Acoustical Design by Creative Acoustics, LLC, West Port, Conn.
Theater Consultant Collaborative, Chapel Hill, N.C.
General Contractor, Gary C. Wyatt, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.
Tennis center
- The $3 million Samford Tennis Center opened in the spring of 2007 featuring the Pat Murphy Courington Pavilion with three indoor courts, six outdoor Darwin C. Hardison Courts, and adjacent parking and seating for spectators.
Synthetic playing surface at Seibert Stadium
- Sporturf of Dalton, Georgia installed a state-of-the-art synthetic turf at Seibert Stadium. Sporturf has installed playing surfaces at leading athletics venues including those at Clemson, Notre Dame, and the University of Texas as well as several other venues in Alabama.
Expansion of on campus parking
- New surface parking lot south of Seibert Stadium
- This functional and attractive lot with space to park 330 cars opened for daily campus usage in January 2006.
- North Parking Deck
- Providing nearly 600 spaces, the $10 million facility opened for service on August 23, 2007. It is located in north campus along Montague Drive across from Lena Vail Davis Residence Hall.
Improvement to campus HVAC systems
- Robinson Hall, home of Cumberland School of Law, received a new, efficient HVAC system at a cost of $3.2 million. Work was completed in August 2005.
- New controls for HVAC and lighting retrofit will be completed campus-wide at an estimated cost of $3 million.
- Three new heating plants are near completion in various quadrants of the campus at a cost of approximately $10 million. These facilities will address the current and growing requirements of the campus for efficient heating and air conditioning capacity.
Increase scholarship funding
- Samford is committed to providing at least $50 million in funding for undergraduate scholarships during 2004-2008. More than $12 million has been received in new philanthropic support.
New endowed professorships
- The Ethel P. Malugen Chair of Law was established in 2004.
New endowed lectureships
- The Marie Nesmith Fowler Lectureship was created in 2004.
Renew, expand and enhance campus facilities
- Renew Ingalls and Russell Halls. Rededication was held on May 21, 2004; $5.3 million was invested in the project. Clayton McWhorter generously provided a major gift toward this project. Samford is grateful to Mr. McWhorter and the hundreds of other contributors who support the school of pharmacy.
- Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall. Naming dedication was held in October following a $1 million renovation to the home of Samford’s theatre department.
- Renew residence halls. More than $3 million has been invested in improvements to certain residence halls, including new furniture, additional fire sprinklers, fire-suppression equipment to range hoods, public area painting, lighting and plumbing repairs.
Background Information on the Promise
The foundation of the plan is this statement of commitment unanimously adopted by the Samford University Board of Trustees:
“Samford University will be an academically vigorous, Christian university that coordinates a strong, effective educational program, and encouragement of Christian belief and service within a community that respects its individual members and encourages each to highest and best levels of performance and conduct--academically, socially, spiritually, physically.”
In describing the Promise, Dr. Thomas E. Corts said, “A university is intended to stretch beyond the lifetimes of any of us. Renewing itself, it does not grow old, does not retire and never finishes its course. We have the satisfaction of passing the torch to our successors who will perpetuate its distinctive mission. Our generation must leave Samford even better than we found it. We cannot rest on the achievements of recent years and simply fade into the sunset. We must boldly grasp the destiny within Samford’s reach. Seriously implementing well-thought plans and well-funded objectives will give Samford a running leap into the future.”
For further information
Dr. Michael Morgan
Vice President for University Relations
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35229
(205) 726-2331
mmorgan@samford.edu