A recent gift to Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences will expand hands-on learning and research opportunities for students in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences.
Last year, the late Julius “David” Davidson made a $13 million gift to Samford University to support scholarships, reflecting what the university described as a legacy of generosity and faithfulness. In addition to that landmark contribution, Davidson designated $100,000 specifically to provide a research boat for the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the storage needed to maintain it.
The new boat will support field-based learning and research for students and faculty studying aquatic ecosystems, environmental science and biological systems across Alabama and the broader Southeast.
Dawn McCormack, dean of Howard College of Arts and Sciences, said the gift reflects the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn through hands-on research and field experiences.
“Resources like this enable our faculty and students to pursue meaningful research while gaining valuable hands-on experience,” McCormack said. “Opportunities to study and learn directly in the field are transformative for our students and strengthen the impact of our academic programs.”
Anthony Overton, chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, said the gift will strengthen the department’s ability to provide students with meaningful, hands-on experiences outside the classroom.
“This boat will allow our faculty and students to expand their field research in ways that were previously difficult or impossible,” Overton said. “Our department is deeply committed to experiential learning, and having reliable access to a research vessel opens new opportunities for studying freshwater and coastal environments while giving students valuable experience conducting real scientific work.”
Students in the department regularly participate in fieldwork that includes water-quality monitoring, ecological assessments and environmental sampling. These experiences help students develop practical research skills while exploring careers in environmental science, biology, conservation and related fields.
Overton said the addition of a dedicated research boat will help the department continue to grow its research capacity while preparing students for graduate study and professional work in the sciences.
“We want our students to graduate with both strong scientific knowledge and the confidence that comes from applying that knowledge in the field,” Overton said. “This gift helps ensure they have the tools and opportunities to do exactly that.”
The gift reflects Davidson’s lasting investment in Samford students and will support the department’s educational and research efforts for years to come.
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