Samford University hosted the Consortium for Global Education's (CGE) annual meeting Sept. 16-18, bringing together members from around the world for a time of inspiration and encouragement in their Christian mission.
CGE is a global nonprofit dedicated to connecting administrators, faculty and students to make an impact on global education through learning, service and sharing professional expertise in higher education. With members in 23 states and six nations, CGE universities represent over 124,000 undergraduate students and more than 7,000 full-time faculty.
The meeting took place across Samford’s campus and featured keynote speeches, worship services, and breakout learning sessions. Discussions ranged from character education in an AI era to using healthcare initiatives to expand a university’s global impact. Among the speakers was Joseph Kim, the eldest son of Korean evangelist Billy Kim, the first Asian president of the Baptist World Alliance, who received an honorary doctorate from Samford in January.
“It has been a pleasure to host the Consortium for Global Education on Samford's campus for the Consortium's 2026 annual meeting,” said Dave Cimbora, Samford provost and vice president for academic affairs. “CGE continues its commitment to bridge-building and partnership among educational degree programs and the local and international communities that they serve.”
Attendees included presidents and leadership from the CGE advisory board, Campbellsville University, Anderson University, Blue Mountain Christian University, Lee University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Baptist University of Florida, Haigazian University in Lebanon, Northrise University in Zambia, Christ University in India, and Myongji University and Seoul Women’s University, both in South Korea.
President Beck A. Taylor sat on a panel alongside these leaders, where he spoke to the challenges facing Christian higher education and how institutions must remain committed to offering a Christ-centered college experience rather than conforming to external pressures.
Colin , vice president for finance and business affairs; Orlean Beeson School of Education Dean Anna McEwan; Scott Bickel, physical therapy department chair and director of the Office for Faith and Health; P.J. Hughes, associate provost and professor of pharmacy; and the entire SamfordGlobal team also represented Samford in hosting CGE members. Their work made a meaningful contribution to fulfilling CGE’s mission and to Samford’s dedication to global engagement.
“Samford’s longstanding affiliation with CGE and the hosting of the annual conference this year on our campus is one of many ways we are living into our institutional mission and the Fidelitas strategic plan,” said Hughes. “It has been an honor to welcome CGE leadership and all the attendees this past week.”
