Published on October 20, 2015 by Michael Morgan  
Campus Aerial

Samford University has selected a collaborative team from Davis Architects of Birmingham, Alabama, and Dober Lidsky Mathey (DLM) of Belmont, Massachusetts, to lead the first update of its campus master plan since the institution relocated to its present site in the 1950s. 

Five architectural firms from across the nation submitted proposals that were evaluated by a diverse group of faculty and staff serving on the university’s Strategic Priorities and Space Planning Committee. Three finalists were invited to campus to interview with the members of the committee, university administrators, and Samford trustees who serve on the governing board’s Operations and Planning Committee.

Samford’s Chief Strategy Officer Colin Coyne said, “At the outset, we stressed that the process was to be open, inclusive, objective and fair.”

“As we wrap up the selection phase and move forward, I am very comfortable that we met these objects.  The firms that submitted proposals were truly first rate; the work that was presented outstanding,” he added.

Members of the selection committee observed DLM provides an exceptionally deep resume of collegiate master planning experience and has worked with institutions in almost all 50 states including Emory, Southern Methodist, Harvard, Yale and Stanford universities. Davis Architects developed the initial master plan for Samford’s campus and has designed many of its buildings; most recently, Cooney Hall for the Brock School of Business.

The Davis/DLM team held initial meetings with university administrators on Oct. 13. Development of the updated plan will take several months and involve input from employees, students, parents and alumni. The new campus master plan will be completed  in 2016 and will be foundational in planning for the university’s next fundraising campaign.

Michael Morgan is assistant to the president at Samford University.

 
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 6,101 students from 45 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.