Posted by Philip Poole on 2008-07-30

New faculty members and revamped academic programs were among actions approved July 29 by the executive committee of Samford University's board of trustees in their regular summer meeting.

The new faculty members are:

Dayna B. Harmelin, visiting professor of law. A graduate of the universities of Florida and Michigan, Harmelin has practiced First Amendment law in Atlanta, Ga., for a Washington, D.C. based firm.

Kimmetha (Kim) Herndon, librarian and director of the university library. She had been director of Livingston Library at Shorter College in Rome, Ga.

Andy M. Milstead, instructor of Spanish. Milstead has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Spanish. He served as director of technology for the University of Alabama's Spanish department from 2006 to 2008.

Stephen R. Stricker, assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Stricker comes to Samford from Emory Healthcare in Atlanta where he has been a hematology/oncology pharmacy specialty resident. He has a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Two additional academic changes were approved, including a name change for the paralegal studies certificate program and organizing the division of music into three departments: vocal and choral studies, keyboard and academic studies, and instrumental music.

In other business trustees discussed options for financing several potential projects on campus, including residence facilities, refurbishing existing academic facilities and continued updating of the university's utility systems. In April, trustees had approved initial plans for more than $20 million in new or renovated residence facilities when funding was available.

Additionally, trustees approved an increase to $5,000 on the lifetime limit an individual can receive through Samford's employee emergency assistance fund, and a resolution honoring Samford student Amanda Tapley, who was crowned 2008 Miss Alabama earlier this year.

W. Randall Pittman, Samford's vice president for university relations, reported that more than $20 million was given to Samford's annual fund during the fiscal year that ended June 30. This is $5.2 million more than the previous fiscal year.

The next full meeting of Samford's trustee board is Sept. 4-5.

 

 
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.