Published on January 13, 2008 by Phillip Poole  
Posted by Phillip Poole on 2008-02-22

Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy and members of his family will be featured in a leadership forum March 3-4 at Samford University.

"How Did You Do It, Truett?" is the theme for the forum. That also is the title of Cathy's latest book. Cathy's three children also are leading the forum, including Dan T. Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A; Donald M. "Bubba" Cathy, senior vice president of Chick-fil-A; and Trudy Cathy White, who is involved with the family's WinShape Foundation ministries.

The forum will focus on leadership and business ethics and how the family has integrated their personal faith and values with the business practices that have led Chick-fil-A, Inc., to be the second largest chicken restaurant chain in the U.S. The family also supports a variety of ministries through its WinShape Foundation.

Honoring the Cathy family fits into the university's emphasis on leadership development and ethics education, according to Samford President Andrew Westmoreland.

"For decades, Truett Cathy has been a shining example as an entrepreneur who bases his life on solid business principles and the spiritual truths that come from his strong faith," Westmoreland said. "We are pleased to honor the Cathy family and to present a forum for the university and business communities where we can learn from their lives and Christian witness."

A Monday luncheon at The Club opens the two-day forum and features Cathy as the keynote speaker. The event, sponsored by Samford's Brock School of Business, already is sold out. The UAB business school and Birmingham-Southern College are luncheon co-sponsors.

A community gathering on Monday evening will feature the four Cathy family members speaking about the ministries in which they are involved and how they combine faith with their business. The 7 p.m. event in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel is open to the public.

A Tuesday morning convocation will feature Truett Cathy as the keynote speaker. The 11 a.m. event in Hodges Chapel is hosted by Samford's Beeson Divinity School and also is open to the public.

Trudy White will be the featured guest for the Dean's Leadership Series at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Brock Forum of Dwight Beeson Hall. This event, hosted by Samford business dean Beck Taylor, also is open to the public.

The Cathy family has a nearly four-decade connection to Samford. Bubba Cathy and Trudy White are Samford graduates. Several other Chick-fil-A executives and their family members are Samford graduates.

Complete schedule details are available at www.samford.edu. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.