Published on April 21, 2021  

He has shared these words at orientations and commencements, in small gatherings and at large ones. And now, as he transitions into retirement, his words become further entwined with his own legacy.

Over the past 15 years, Westmoreland has not only nurtured the trees planted by his predecessors, but he has also planted new ones—creating shade under which future generations will sit and enjoy. His legacy not only tells the story of Samford’s success, but it also reflects his heart for people and for God.

 
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.
Andrew Westmoreland Centennial Walk
2006

Westmoreland assumes the Samford University presidency on June 1 and begins the practice of sending informational and encouraging email messages to students and employees on the first of each month, a tradition that continues to the present time.

Corts and Westmoreland Brock Hall
2006

The $9-million Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall is dedicated with its 300-seat recital hall, a rehearsal suite for Samford orchestral and band programs, and an instrumental teaching center.

2006

Following a $1 million renovation Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall is named.

Samford Joining the SoCon
2007

Samford joins the historic Southern Conference, the fifth-oldest Division I athletics conference in the country.

2007

Trustees approve a $12 million fundraising campaign for a new track and field stadium, a new football field house and other athletics-related projects.

2007

The $32-million Pete Hanna Center is dedicated in a series of Homecoming events. The 132,000-square foot multipurpose facility is the largest single building constructed in the 50-year history of Samford's Homewood campus.

2007

The business school is named for longtime Samford trustee and Alabama banking legend Harry B. Brock Jr. 

2008

Westmoreland begins sending Monday Mission, a weekly email highlighting a Samford person or program that contributes to fulfilling the university’s distinctive mission.

2008

Samford enrolls its inaugural class of University Fellows to open the university’s honors college experience, offering an interdisciplinary great ideas core curriculum, international study and funding for academic enrichment. Admission to the program remains highly competitive.

2008

Samford acquires the property on Shades Crest Road to become the official Samford University President’s House. Following expansion and renovation the Westmorelands welcome about 10,000 guests to their home each year.

2008

Samford announces the creation of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, including an endowed professorship.

2009

The $27-million science building is dedicated as William Self Propst Hall, honoring the 1961 Samford graduate who became one of the nation's most successful pharmacy entrepreneurs.

2009

Samford hosts the inaugural Black Alumni and Friends luncheon with about 50 guests. The event has become a highly anticipated annual tradition drawing a crowd of nearly 300 guests. The event is now hosted by Samford’s Black Alumni Association which was formed in 2014.

Homewood Campus
2011

Samford marks the 50th anniversary of the move from Eastlake to Homewood.

2012

Samford processes more than $99 million in student financial aid.

2013

Construction on the West Village residence halls is completed providing housing for 300 students. The J. T. Haywood Field House for baseball and softball is dedicated. 

2013

The Board of Trustees approves the creation of the College of Health Sciences to organize two existing schools, Ida Moffett School of Nursing and McWhorter School of Pharmacy with two new schools: the School of Health Professions and the School of Public Health.

2013

Westmoreland begins a two-year term as chair of board of trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

2014

Five months ahead of schedule, the university completes the Campaign for Samford announcing a total of $202,542,090 in gifts and pledges from 18,276 different donors, exceeding the original goal of $200 million.

Westmoreland Pittman and Wilson
Westmoreland Surveying CHS
2014

The university completes the largest single expansion of its campus in more than 60 years with the purchase of adjacent property that had served as the headquarters for Southern Progress Corp. since the 1980s. The $58 million sale was finalized Dec. 31, 2014. The 28-acre tract includes nearly 400,000 square feet of space in three buildings and more than 1,000 parking spaces.

2015

Total enrollment tops 5,000 for the first time. In just 24 months, Samford trustees approve 36 new or restructured academic programs in a wide variety of areas to better serve the needs of students.

Cooney Hall
2015

Samford opens several new or remodeled facilities. Along with the new 80,000-square-foot home for Brock School of Business, the university transformed the massive facilities services building on the north side of the campus into the Art Lofts to provide studio space for faculty and students in painting, sculpture, pottery and other visual arts. To enhance the dining choices for our students, the university center cafeteria received extensive remodeling throughout the summer.

2015

The Micah Fellows Program for Christian Service and Community Engagement is established as an honors program designed for students interested in service.

2016

A refreshed brand identity is launched, including a new bulldog logo, new spirit marks and new brand marks for the university’s 10 academic schools.  The yearlong branding project engaged over a thousand employees, students and alumni in focus groups and survey research.

2016

Samford marks its 175th anniversary with a yearlong series of celebrations culminating with a convocation on Homecoming weekend where the multi-year $300 million Forever Samford Campaign is launched.

Andy Jeanna and Riley Westmoreland
2016

Samford completes the renovation of property acquired in 2014 and dedicates the new College of Health Sciences facility as an innovative teaching and learning environment designed to foster collaboration among students and faculty in more than 30 health sciences programs.

2017

Westmoreland begins First Tuesday prayer and devotional sessions with students.

2017

An economic impact study finds Samford’s annual fiscal and economic impact on Alabama is $424.8 million. Per student, Samford has an impact of $77,646 on the Birmingham economy.

2017

Trustees approve the first major update of Samford’s campus master plan since the university moved to its current location in the 1950s.

2017

Trustees approve an investment of $31 million in a comprehensive plan to address infrastructure needs for the entire campus, increase energy efficiency, practice campus-wide conservation, and refresh and renew every facility on campus.

2018

The Forever Samford campaign surpasses $150 million in gifts and pledges, halfway to the multi-year goal.

2018

Almost $20 million is invested to complete renovations for A. Hamilton Reid Chapel, Percy Pratt Burns Hall, James Horton Chapman Hall, Robert I. Ingalls Sr. Hall, the Beeson Center Rotunda and Rotunda Club and the Daniel House in London.

2018

Due to an expanding range of academic programs, Samford advances in classification by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education from a regional Master’s University to a national Doctoral/Professional University.

2019

Samford continues a more than decade-long growth pattern exceeding national norms, setting a fall enrollment record for the 11th consecutive year with 5,692 students.

2019

A $20 million renewal of the Ralph Beeson University Center is completed, including a new food court, expanded Samford Shop, student commons, post office, and student life and student affairs spaces.

Updated University Center
2019

Samford’s athletic teams earned a 97% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) by the NCAA. Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 18th in the nation for GSR among all colleges and universities in the NCAA Division 1 level.

2020

Samford is ranked 2nd in the nation for student engagement by the Wall Street Journal. Student engagement assesses how challenged and inspired students feel inside and outside the classroom, as well as the breadth of courses their schools offer.

Progress in Academic Programs Since 2006

Across the past 15 years, Samford has added a School of Public Health, a School of Health Professions, and a College of Health Sciences. Today the university provides over 170 undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations and 70 graduate majors, minors and concentrations.

Progress in Enrollment Since 2006

Total enrollment grew more than 23% across undergraduate, graduate and online programs: from 4,478 in the fall of 2006 to an estimated 5,700 in the fall of 2020.

Progress in Financial Support Since 2006

Samford has received near $400 million in cash gifts, current pledges and grants (from both public and private sources). This includes funding for 323 new endowed scholarships.

Progress in Financial Standing Since 2006

In the past 14 years Samford University’s net assets have grown by almost 23% to more than $712 million.

Progress in Engaging Minorities and Women

Over the past 15 years, female and minority representation on the board of trustees has been a priority, and today they represent a third of all trustees. The number of fulltime minority employees has increased significantly, and the enrollment of minority students has more than doubled.

Progress in Recognized Quality

Samford is regularly recognized as one of the top Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value. Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings published by the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranks Samford 2nd in the nation for student engagement. U.S. News & World Report ranks Samford 40th in the nation for best undergraduate teaching and 100th for best value. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Samford 34th among private universities in the U.S. for value and affordability. According to the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, Samford students are more likely to recommend their university than students at any other college or university in the country.

Seasons Spring 2021