Presiding at the event was Tim Vines, the Chair of our Board of Trustees. In fact, Samford activities filled most of his calendar that day, including an event on Friday evening. Late Friday afternoon I learned through the local news media—not from Tim—that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, one of the state’s most significant businesses, announced that day that Mr. Vines has become the company’s President and he will also assume the title of CEO in 2018. Throughout the day at Samford, Mr. Vines said nothing of this personal accomplishment, even as his mobile phone must have been filling up with text, e-mail and voice messages from near and far. He gave selflessly of his time, focusing his entire attention on Samford University. He is the embodiment of our core values.
The world is better because of the humility and competence of Tim Vines.