Samford University’s Board of Trustees approved new faculty, a number of resolutions and candidates for fall 2020 graduation at its meeting on Dec. 1.

New faculty members were approved for the Brock School of Business and Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, including the new Dean of Nursing, Melondie Reeves Carter, RN, Ph.D., program changes to the Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies and Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia were also approved.

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and Communication Studies was renamed the Department of Communication and Media to better reflect the degree programs and courses offered within the department.

Approximately 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.

The Board authorized undergraduate tuition and room and board rates for the 2021-22 academic year and adopted a resolution authorizing the project budget for the renovation of Samford Hall. Trustees also received and endorsed a resolution of appreciation recognizing David Mark Fuller for “a distinguished career spanning 35 years of dedicated service to Samford University.”

The Board affirmed Jeremy Towns, Jennifer D. Rash, Nena F. Sanders, Chenelle R. Terry and Gil Simmons as new members of the university’s Board of Overseers. Leigh Davis will serve as chair and Todd Carlisle as vice chair for the 2021 year.

The trustees reaffirmed the Samford University mission, vision and core values.   

In a series of reports by university administrators, trustees heard updates on the university budget, pandemic response, student recruitment, advancement and marketing. The advancement report noted the Forever Samford campaign has received cash, property and pledges exceeding $195.7 million, representing more than 65% of the $300 million goal.