Samford University paused to say thank you to a dedicated group of supporters during its Founders Day Convocation March 21. The University recognized members of its Founders Circle and its DeVotie Society at a service in Hodges Chapel and a luncheon afterward.

"I especially want to express deep gratitude for all you have done and continue to do in support of Samford University," said the speaker, Scott Guffin, executive director of Samford’s Christian Ministry program.

Founders Circle members have supported Samford with financial commitments for at least 35 years. DeVotie Society members support the University with planned gifts through their estates. The society is named for a founding trustee of the school, James H. DeVotie.

"We are gathered here today because we all have a common love for Samford University," said Guffin. He noted that family roots grow deep in their support of the school, citing his own family as an example. Forty-seven members of his family attended Samford over the years.

His grandfather, Gilbert Guffin, in 1947 founded the Howard Extension program, now Samford’s Ministry Training Institute, and later served as dean of religion during 1961-71. His father, Truett Guffin, taught nurse anesthetists for a number of years and later served as a trustee of Samford.

"The concept bound up in the adjective ‘generous’ and its noun form ‘generosity’ is referred to a great deal in Scripture," said Guffin. "First, Jesus says both in Matthew and Luke that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. In saying this, Jesus reminds us that the disposition of our resources reveals the position of our heart."

Guffin said this is important "because generosity is central to who God has revealed himself to be—a gracious, loving, merciful Giver of good and perfect gifts."

He summed up his message by saying ‘thank you’ to the supporters for giving "out of a heart of generosity."