Samford University’s Board of Trustees welcomed a new member, approved new faculty, adopted various resolutions and confirmed the candidates for fall 2021 graduation at its meeting on Dec. 7.
Dr. Marlene Reed of Crawford, Texas was approved as a new trustee to fill the unexpired term of service of the late Mary J. Shaw (2020-2024). Dr. Reed previously served as the Margaret Gage Bush University Professor in Samford’s Brock School of Business, where she held various positions from 1981 until 2008. She was named Alabama Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1994.
New faculty members were approved for the Brock School of Business and Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing. Approximately 345 candidates were approved by the Board for fall graduation. The trustees continued their long-standing tradition of praying for these students as they prepare to graduate and continue their personal, professional and educational pursuits.
The Board also authorized undergraduate tuition and room and board rates for the 2022-23 academic year and adopted a resolution authorizing a long-term lease for a portion of Samford property to facilitate parking for Homewood High School. In addition, the trustees received an update on progress made pursuant to the Campus Master Plan and approved a resolution to elect the executive officers of the university to new terms.
The Board affirmed Tracey Morant Adams, Mark Davidson, Brian George, Kerry L. Gossett, Fred Kingren, Jalete Nelms and Tamela Yelling as new members of the university’s Board of Overseers.
In a series of reports by university administrators, trustees heard updates on the university budget, the endowment, student recruitment, the Diversity Action Planning Committee, marketing, and advancement. Trustees received and approved a resolution that the third floor lobby of Cooney Hall be named the Glenn Latham and Chad Trull Lobby. The advancement report noted the Forever Samford campaign has received cash, property and pledges exceeding $251.6 million, representing the largest campaign in university history.