Samford University’s Board of Trustees approved new faculty, new academic programs and candidates for fall 2019 graduation at their meeting on December 3.

More than 300 candidates for fall graduation were approved by the trustees. Following their vote, trustees continued their long-standing tradition of praying for the students as they prepare to graduate.

Three new faculty members were approved for Brock School of Business, Orlean Beeson School of Education and the School of Health Professions. Program additions in the School of the Arts, including a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture, were approved pending SACSCOC approval.

Terry L. Hales, Jr. of Clemmons, North Carolina was elected to serve as a Samford University trustee for a four year term and as a member of the University Advancement Committee. The Board also affirmed Isaac Cooper, Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard, Lee Henderson and David Lyon as new members of the Board of Overseers. 

New advisory board members for Brock School of Business, Bulldog Club Development Board, Parent Advisory Board and Board of Ministerial Mentors were also approved.

A resolution for a hard freeze of the university’s defined benefit plan was approved, effective December 31, 2020.  A structure of transition credits was also approved, pending additional review by pension specialists external to the university.  Buck Brock, Executive Vice President, told the trustees he hoped that review would be complete by the end of January. The trustees reaffirmed the mission, vision, and core values of Samford University.

Trustees received reports on the university budget, campus master plan, student recruitment, advancement and marketing. It was noted that the Forever Samford campaign has received cash, property and pledges exceeding $175.6 million, representing more than 58% of the $300 million goal. The university’s endowment was valued at more than $298 million as of September 30, 2019.