Biology professor Larry J. Davenport has been named director of the Vulcan Materials Center for Environmental Stewardship and Education at Samford University. Dr. Davenport, an expert in field botany with an emphasis on aquatic and wetland plants, has taught at Samford since 1985 and is the senior member of his department.

Davenport will continue to teach basic botany and ecology courses as well as specialized courses in plant taxonomy and local flora in the undergraduate program, and wetlands in the master of science in environmental management program.

He is an acknowledged expert on the Cahaba lily, a rare plant found only in 31 counties across central Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. His work to protect the lily and its habitat helped in the establishment of Alabama's Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in 2002.

Davenport holds a bachelor's degree from Miami (Ohio) University and master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees from the University of Alabama.

The Vulcan Materials Center is a partnership between Vulcan Materials Company and Samford. It promotes environmental science education and research. Established in 2001, the partnership encompasses three areas-education, environmental stewardship and innovative solutions in environmental management.