Published on May 14, 2018 by Philip Poole  
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Graduating senior Eric Adams receives congratulations from his mother, Cassandra, who serves on the Cumberland School of Law faculty.

Samford University celebrated several historic milestones during spring commencement activities, including the largest graduating class in the university’s 176-year history.

A record 1,240 degrees were awarded, although the official total will not be available until all grades have been submitted and graduates certified, according to university officials. That tops the 2017 record of 1,165. An estimated 250 students graduated with honors. 

In the seven commencement ceremonies, 33 different degree programs were recognized, including the first graduates in the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Athletic Training, Master of Science in Respiratory Care, Master of Science in Health Informatics and Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration programs in the College of Health Sciences.

Graduating students represented 28 states and seven other countries: United Kingdom, Malaysia, China, France, South Korea, Canada and Germany. 

In the most unique commencement address, art professor emeritus Lowell Vann used his talents in chalk drawing to inspire graduates in the schools of the arts and education. Other commencement speakers included students who were graduating in health sciences, a pastor, a banking executive, an attorney and a federal judge. Several are Samford alumni.

Mary Katherine Stanley, a University Fellow and accounting major from Memphis, Tennessee, received the President’s Cup, awarded to the graduating student with the highest undergraduate grade point average (GPA) across all Samford colleges and schools. She was one of five students to receive prestigious honors during commencement ceremonies.

Sarah Michelle Duke was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and received a standing ovation from her fellow graduates and the audience at the Howard College of Arts and Sciences ceremony. 

A record live stream audience watched ceremonies in seven countries: Korea, Australia, Chile, England, Philippines, Germany and the U.S.

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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.