Published on June 22, 2015  

Although God did not call me to preach, as the president of Samford I have more than my share of opportunities to stand in pulpits on Sunday mornings, preventing—as I often say—the congregation from hearing a good sermon.  Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking in the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services at the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, where Samford connections abound.  Prior to the first service, I met a lovely, soft-spoken lady who informed me—with appropriate pride—that Sonya Davis is her daughter.  Sonya is an instructor in the Core Curriculum at Samford, where she keeps alive (or kindles, if necessary) the love of learning in our students.  Sonya’s mom and I stood in the aisle of the church yesterday morning, giving thanks for her work and the fact that she is at Samford.  The setting of the exchange reminded me of the sacred calling that we have, even if we’re not called to preach.      

The world is better because of Sonya Davis (and her very nice mother).

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.