Samford is making significant progress on its 20-year campus master plan that was approved in December 2016 by the board of trustees. Based on the university’s strategic plan, the four-phase campus master plan addresses infrastructure needs for the entire campus, increases energy efficiency, practices campus-wide conservation, and refreshes and renews every facility—all steps in the process of creating a sustainable future for generations of Samford students.
Nearing completion is the transformation of A. Hamilton Reid Chapel, Percy Pratt Burns Hall, James Horton Chapman Hall and Robert I. Ingalls, Sr. Hall.to create a new home for many of the departments of Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Spiritual Life, Admission, and Student Financial Services. The departments are moving into the newly refurbished spaces in August, while the Offices of Admission and Student Financial Services will move into their new spaces by mid-fall.
These vibrantly renovated spaces include a prayer room, upgraded classrooms and labs, student-faculty gathering spaces, a spacious new student commons, event spaces, offices, admission presentation room, and integrated student services spaces. Samford will host a rededication and open house for Reid Chapel and Burns, Chapman and Ingalls halls in Reid Chapel on Aug. 30.
The Rotunda and Rotunda Club in Dwight and Lucille Beeson Center have been beautifully upgraded. The club will reopen in the fall and will include a new menu and dining options. Plans for a rededication ceremony will be announced soon.
The Daniel House, Samford’s London study center, also underwent major renovation this summer, with its reopening expected in January 2019. The rooms and bathrooms are being expanded and kitchen, laundry area and gathering spaces are being updated.
Plans for a new data analytics lab in Samford’s Brock School of Business are taking shape and an expansion of the Athletic Success Services Center in Leo E. Bashinsky Field House is underway. A number of other renovation projects took place over the summer, including updates to residence halls.
Beeson University Center Renovation
The university community will benefit from major upgrades to the decades old Beeson University Center. When completed, the building will feature new student gathering spaces, an expanded food court, a renovated bookstore and new offices for the Division of Student Affairs.
The newly enhanced first floor is expected to be a destination place for students to gather, collaborate, eat, study and attend events. The planning phase included partnering with Samford’s interior architecture students, who developed beautiful designs for the space. The renovation will include an expanded food court with new venues—including a full-service Chick-fil-A and Moe’s Southwest Grill. The bookstore will expand and include a convenience store with extended hours of operation.
Harry’s Coffeehouse will be completely renovated with moveable walls to provide open space for students and dining or enclosed space for events. It will also include an outdoor extension and a beautiful sky-lit stairwell will connect the first and second floors of the University Center. This project will extend through spring 2019.
Sustainability Initiatives: Giving Back
In 2017, the Board of Trustees of Samford University approved a 20-year plan to improve energy efficiency on campus. Samford partnered with Johnson Controls Inc. to complete this work. They installed more than 1,100 windows, new sanitary fixtures, over 22,500 LED lighting upgrades, HVAC systems and building controls, building envelope enhancements, and upgraded the university chiller plant. During the first quarter of measurement (January–March 2018), the chiller plant used less than 40 percent of the energy needed to operate the previous plant, and saved 3,994,389 kwh of energy consumption across our campus. These savings are expected to grow as the final phases of implementation are completed.
For more information visit the Campus Master Plan website.