Convocation at Samford University is an academic requirement that encourages students to develop spiritually and academically by providing programs that integrate faith and learning.
The Office of Spiritual Life is the only official source of information pertaining to Convocation events, credits, and requirements.
Mission & Purpose
Samford’s Convocation program encourages students to develop both spiritually and academically by providing a variety of programs that seek to integrate faith and learning from a distinctively Christian perspective. As a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students, Convocation reinforces Samford’s identity as a Christ-centered university that nurtures persons “for God, for learning, forever.” Convocation programs do not attempt to coerce students to worship or embrace a particular set of beliefs. Rather, programs expose students to many perspectives, challenging them to think carefully about matters of faith and learning so that they may act responsibly in the world.
Requirements
Undergraduate students are required to complete 60 Convocation credits in order to graduate. 30 Convocation credits must be completed by the time a student earns 64 academic credits. Otherwise, that student will be delayed in the ability to register for classes the following semester. Convocation credit is earned when a student attends an approved event and swipes a valid ID card at the conclusion of the event. Students may not receive credit for attending repeating events more than once.
Students may check their Convocation record any time by logging into Samford’s online portal. Additionally, students receive weekly email updates listing all credits required and earned. If a student’s record is in error, that student may submit a Convocation Record Adjustment from within 30 days of the event in question to correct the error. Graduating seniors must submit all adjustment forms no later than two weeks prior to graduation.
Transfer Students Requirements
Convocation requirements are prorated for transfer students. This proration includes any credit earned at a college or university or AP credit that is accepted by Samford University. (Students seeking a second undergraduate degree do not have any Convocation requirements.)
Convocation requirements are prorated for transfer students according to schedule below.
Transfer Students
Academic Transfer Credit
Credits Requirement
1-15 credits
60 credits
16-31 credits
52 credits
32-47 credits
44 credits
48-63 credits
36 credits
64-79 credits
28 credits
80-95 credits
20 credits
96-111 credits
12 credits
112-127 credits
6 credits
128 or more credits
0 credits
Cadres
Cadres are Convocation credit small groups led by faculty, staff, or selected students that meet at least 6 times during a semester to discuss a book, biblical text, specified topic, or to participate in a service project. Those interested in leading a Cadre may submit proposals online for review by The Office of Spiritual Life. Cadre sign-ups take place online during the first week of classes each semester. An email will be sent to all undergraduates announcing that students may log into Banner to access online Cadre sign-ups under the “Spiritual Life” tab.
February
CPF Chapter Meeting
February 18, 12 pm - 1 pm
College of Health Sciences Building One, Room 1409
CPF Chapter Meeting
Spring 2019 Core Texts Lecture Film: The Reformation Debate (2cr)
February 18, 7 pm - 9:30 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Jonathan Brooks: A Letter to My Fellow Exiles
February 19, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Interactive Interprofessional Perspectives on Birth Defects Convo
February 19, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
College of Health Sciences Building One, Room 1222
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
February 20, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Faith & History: Does a Historian's Identity Matter?
February 20, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400
This event will feature a podcast created by Samford students who interviewed several religious leaders and historians around Birmingham during the Fall 2018 semester about how they see the intersection of faith and history.
Faith & History: Does a Historian's Identity Matter?
February 20, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400A
This event will feature a podcast created by Samford students who interviewed several religious leaders and historians around Birmingham during the Fall 2018 semester about how they see the intersection of faith and history.
Faith & History: Does a Historian's Identity Matter?
February 20, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400B
This event will feature a podcast created by Samford students who interviewed several religious leaders and historians around Birmingham during the Fall 2018 semester about how they see the intersection of faith and history.
"Apostolic Succession" sponsored by Catholic Student Assn.
February 20, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Sullivan-Cooney Family Fieldhouse, Room 305
Campus Worship; Trudy Cathy White
February 21, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Daughter of S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, Trudy Cathy White has a deep passion for developing others and creating a safe place for young people to learn and grow. This is evidenced by the fact that White served 13 years as the director of WinShape Camps for Girls, a summer camp experience founded by her parents in 1985. Over the years, WinShape Camps have expanded to a total of five overnight locations in north Georgia, with more than 90 day-camp locations across the country.
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
February 21, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Black History Month Documentary: Agents of Change
February 21, 3 pm - 4:15 pm
William Self Propst Hall, Room 140
Eating Disorder Panel
February 21, 6 pm - 7 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
Faculty Panel on Science and Religion
February 21, 7 pm - 8 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
At this Science and Religion club opening event for the semester, we will have a panel of faculty answering questions about the way science and religion interact. We will have questions prepared, and we will also be taking questions from the audience. This event will be a fairly generalized take on the two as separate studies as well as in sequence with one another, but will leave the doors open to deep discussions and thoughts.
The Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series Presents "(Dance Concert)"
February 22, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dance performance
The Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series Presents "Dance Concert"
February 23, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall, Room 205
Dance performance
Freeman Series Presents "Dance Concert"
February 24, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall, Room 205
Campus Worship-Charles Howard
February 26, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
February 27, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Allison Nanni
February 28, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
February 28, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Thurgood Marshall Symposium (2cr)
February 28, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400
Cumberland School of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) will host the 25th Annual Thurgood Marshall Symposium. In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Cumberland’s BLSA chapter, the event will focus on the topic “Race, Justice and Politics.”
Thurgood Marshall Symposium (2cr)
February 28, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400A
Cumberland School of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) will host the 25th Annual Thurgood Marshall Symposium. In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Cumberland’s BLSA chapter, the event will focus on the topic “Race, Justice and Politics.”
Thurgood Marshall Symposium (2cr)
February 28, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cooney Hall, Room 400B
Cumberland School of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) will host the 25th Annual Thurgood Marshall Symposium. In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Cumberland’s BLSA chapter, the event will focus on the topic “Race, Justice and Politics.”
Film: The Heart of Man w/ Discussion (2cr)
February 28, 7 pm - 9 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
The Heart of Man” is an artistic retelling of the parable of the prodigal son, interwoven with true testimonials of personal sexual brokenness and freeing redemption.
March
Addressing the Global Refugee Crisis: What Can We Do?
March 4, 6 pm - 8 pm
College of Health Sciences Building One, Room 1222
Campus Worship
March 5, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Film: Woodlawn w/ Discussion (2cr)
March 5, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
Following government-mandated desegregation in 1973, Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille) joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Ala. As violence and anger erupt in the city, Woodlawn football coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) allows an outsider (Sean Astin) to speak to his players. His message of hope and love leads to a spiritual awakening that inspires star athlete Nathan, his teammates and other members of the community to overcome the hate that surrounds them.
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
March 6, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Christina Schmitt
March 7, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
March 7, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Campus Worship
March 19, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Percy Cook Ratliff Lecture Series presents Eric Metaxas
March 19, 7 pm - 9 pm
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Room 100
Eric Metaxas is the New York Times#1 bestselling author of Martin Luther, If You Can Keep It, Bonhoeffer, Miracles, Seven Women, Seven Men, and Amazing Grace. He has written more than thirty children’s books. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages.
He is the host of the Eric Metaxas Show, a nationally syndicated radio program heard in more than 120 cities around the U.S., featuring in-depth interviews with a wide variety of guests.
He was the keynote speaker at the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC, an event attended by the President and First Lady, the Vice President, members of Congress, and other U.S. and world leaders.
He is the founder and host of Socrates in the City: Conversations on the Examined Life, an event series of “entertaining and thought-provoking discussions on ‘life, God, and other small topics'” featuring such guests as Malcolm Gladwell, Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel, Dr. Francis Collins, Sir John Polkinghorne, Baroness Caroline Cox, N.T. Wright, Os Guinness, Peter Kreeft, and Dick Cavett.
CPF Chapter Meeting
March 20, 12 pm - 1 pm
College of Health Sciences Building One, Room 1409
CPF Chapter Meeting
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
March 20, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Romania Spring Break Team
March 21, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
March 21, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Addiction & How it Effects the Family System - Tracy LaForty
March 21, 4 pm - 5 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
Dance For Down Syndrome (2cr)
March 21, 6 pm - 8 pm
F. Page Seibert Gym, Room 300
Campus Worship-Campus Worship Team
March 26, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
March 27, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Kristen Deede Johnson
March 28, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
March 28, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Samford Gives Back
March 30, 8 am - 8:30 am
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Room 100
Samford public service day gathering
April
Psych Week: Film-Green Book (2cr)
April 1, 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
Campus Worship
April 2, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
April 3, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Robbins Lecture: Doug Moo
April 4, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
April 4, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Psych Week with Dr. Mio
April 4, 6 pm - 7 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
Campus Worship-Brian Stiller
April 9, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
April 10, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Katherine Wolf
April 11, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
April 11, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
Campus Worship-Michael & Lynda Adler
April 16, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Society of Catholic Scientists with Dr. Paul A. Wiget
April 16, 10 am - 11 am
William Self Propst Hall, Room 140
Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series: Anthony Ray Hinton
April 16, 7 pm - 9 pm
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Room 100
Anthony Ray Hinton will be honored as the 2019 Distinguished Author at the ninth annual Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series presented by Orlean Beeson School of Education. In April of 2015, with the help of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Hinton was released from Jefferson County Jail after spending 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. In March of 2018, he released his personal memoir The Sun Does Shine, How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row. The memoir became an instant New York Times best-seller and in June of 2018, Oprah selected The Sun Does Shine for her summer Book Club.
Spring 2019 Episcopal Eucharist
April 17, 12 pm - 12:45 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Core Texts Lecture-Making Sense of Modernity
April 17, 3 pm - 4 pm
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Campus Worship-Chalk Talk with Lowell Vann
April 18, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
Spring 2019 Catholic Eucharist (Mass)
April 18, 10 am - 10:45 am
Cooney Hall, Room 229
DREAM Portrait Event Roundtable Discussion
April 18, 5 pm - 6:15 pm
Dwight Beeson Hall, Room 131
This will be our event to discuss the ten portraits that students will have observed on campus the week before the event! So, if you would like to know the story behind the ten beautiful portraits that you've seen, please come out to this event and hear from a fantastic panel of faculty as well as students! There will also be food! See you there!
Campus Worship-Summer Missions Commissioning
April 23, 10 am - 10:45 am
A.H. Reid Chapel, Room CHAPEL
CPF Chapter Meeting
April 24, 12 pm - 1 pm
College of Health Sciences Building One, Room 1409