Last Thursday Dr. Mike Ledgerwood (chair) and our Department of World Languages and Cultures continued a Samford tradition that began in the 1950s, hosting a convocation program called “Christmas Around the World.” Hundreds of students read scripture and sang carols in 17 different languages,including the singing of “We Three Kings” in English—by our students in the English as a Second Language program.  When Dr. Doug Clapp was sidelined with the flu on Thursday morning, Dr. Ledgerwood covered for him by leading our students in Latin with the singing of “Veni Emmanuel.”  “I figured if I waved my hands people would respond,” said Dr. Ledgerwood.  “I’m glad that was true.  And don’t mention this to Dr. Hopkins!” 

(Sorry, Mike.  The line was too good not to pass along.)

The world is better because we speak many languages—and we teach many languages at Samford.

 

 
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.