Westmoreland Becomes President
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Summer 2006 Summer 2006 Westmoreland Becomes President Page 4 Arena Named for Pete Hanna Page 6 features SEASONS 4 Profiling Andrew Westmoreland After spending the spring getting to know Samford University, Dr. Andrew Westmoreland took office June 1 as the school’s 18th chief executive. Learn more about the new leader in this quick profile. 8 Samford and Perry County Samford reaches out to Perry County in a multiplicity of ways, from health screening clinics and diabetes support groups to fun fests for kids and the Old Howard 100 Bike Ride. The relationship with Samford’s birthplace benefits Perry residents and Samford students alike. 24 Meet New Deans Dr. Bobby Bryant in pharmacy and Dr. Joseph Hopkins in performing arts are succeeding retiring deans Joe Dean and Milburn Price. The new deans share their thoughts about coming to Samford. 30 Last Year in East Lake Fifty years ago, Samford was beginning its last year on the East Lake campus. Glance back at some bittersweet memories for the school and its students. 32 ‘Full Time for Alabama’ Former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer shares recollections of his career in this question-and-answer feature. Discover how his 1970 opponent, George Wallace, reacted to Brewer’s campaign slogan, “Full Time for Alabama.” 2 From the President 35 Reunions Ongoing 3 Samford Report 36 Where Are They Now? 6 Pete Hanna Arena 38 Alumni Donors 7 Campus News 45 Homecoming Info 13 Macon Winner 46 Class Notes 14 Speaking of Gilead 49 Births 16 Time Running Out 51 In Memoriam 18 Washington Posting 53 Gospel Choir 20 Corts Farewell 54 Sports 22 Commencement 58 Memorial/Honor Gifts 28 Celebrating Retirement 65 Calendar Front cover: Dr. Andrew Westmoreland heads to the office on his first day as Samford University president. EDITOR William Nunnelley ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary Wimberley CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jack Brymer, Sean Flynt, Philip Poole PUBLICATION MANAGER Janica York Carter EDITORIAL SPECIALIST Barrett Hathcock DESIGNERS Scott Camp, Carlie Cranford Stamper, Monica Washington PHOTOGRAPHY Caroline Baird Summers Ann Wade Parrish ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS 2005–06 PRESIDENT Tom Armstrong ’’73 VICE PRESIDENT Mark Davidson ’’92 SECRETARY Kathryn Josey ’’80 Summer 2006 Vol. 23 No. 2 Publication Number: USPS 244-800 Seasons isis publishedpublished quarterlyquarterly byby Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229, and is distributed free to all alumni of the University, as well as to other friends. Periodical postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama. Postmaster: send address changes to Samford University Alumni Office, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama 35229. ©2006 Samford University Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes applications for employment and educational programs from all indi- viduals regardless of race, color, age, sex, disability, or national or ethnic origin. Samford senior Sandra Kindred-Williams and fellow graduates pause to enjoy the moment following commencement www.samford.edu exercises May 20. See page 22. [email protected] PRESIDENT THE FROM Reliving a Fond Ritual his must be the place,” my mother In recent months, however, my family has said to me on dozens of occasions been called to a different place, with new “ as I pulled the car into the garage, challenges and new opportunities. We already bringing her the few blocks from her have discovered that our lives will be blessed home to ours for dinner, for a Sunday with hundreds of relationships. Just as in the Tafternoon visit or simply to sit with Riley, our past, I’ll have to rely on an army of friends to daughter, as Jeanna and I attended an event on advance the cause of an institution that I love. campus. She used the phrase in her twilight I’m filled with enthusiasm as I begin my work. years, as she began to slip from us. “Yes, here we I could almost hear my mother as I pulled are,” I would reply. First, I found the repetition into the garage a few days ago. “This must be the mildly annoying. Later, I learned to cherish the place.” Samford. Birmingham. Alabama. “Yes, ritual. Now, two years after her death, the phrase here we are.” brings a lump to my throat. We couldn’t be happier. For many of us, swept away by the transi- As always, please keep Samford in your tory nature of our lives, we find comfort in a prayers. sense of place. These past three decades, I’ve found my place in a little town in Arkansas, first as a student at Ouachita Baptist University, and then as a member of the Ouachita staff. There I Andrew Westmoreland met and married my wife, there we raised our President daughter, there I made more friends than a man could ever hope to have, and there I poured my life into my work. When the moving van arrived a few days ago, it was difficult to say goodbye. 2 REPORT reportSAMFORD SAMFORD Samford Names Recital Hall for Jane Hollock Brock amford University will name its new recital hall for the wife of a longtime trustee and Birmingham financial leader who cofounded Central Bank, Snow Compass Bank. The new building, scheduled to open this fall, will be Jane Hollock Brock Hall. It is named for the wife of retired banker Harry B. Brock, Jr., who has been a leading member of the Samford board for more than four decades. The Samford University Board of Trustees named the building in recog- nition of the Brock family’s long years of support of the university, according to Samford President Emeritus Thomas E. Corts. The Brocks have generously supported Samford over the years with their philanthropy and have used their influence to gain support for the school from others, he noted. “Samford has no finer friends than Harry and Jane Brock,” said Dr. Corts. “In a busy career, Harry has chaired major committees, chaired the board of Workmen strive to complete the exterior of Samford’s new recital hall, set to open this fall. trustees, chaired a major successful campaign and been one of our major will be the recital hall with its state-of- pleased that their presence will hover donors. Jane kept making it possible for the-art acoustics. over Samford for decades to come.” Harry to be Harry—not an easy job! The new facility will house teaching, “Instrumental faculty and students This building is a trophy for this campus practice and rehearsal facilities for have long labored under adverse con- and a fabulous tribute from a devoted Samford’s Wind Ensemble, Marching ditions, but no longer will this be the husband to his wife.” Band, Orchestra, chamber ensembles, case,” said retiring Samford School of The Brocks’ son, Harry Brock III, is Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. Performing Arts Dean Milburn Price, also a member of the Samford board. Dr. Corts, closing his 23-year who helped define the needs of the new Mrs. Brock’s late great-uncle, Peyton A. tenure as Samford president, recalled the building and worked with architects in Eubank of Birmingham, was an 1897 longtime support of Brock on the planning stages. “The new building, Jane graduate of Samford (then Howard Samford board. Hollock Brock Hall, will provide a College) and a longtime Samford “It was Harry Brock who first wonderful new home for our music trustee. He was the school’s Alumnus of showed me around Birmingham and programs.” ■ the Year in 1947. extolled its charms until I was persuaded The Jane Hollock Brock Hall, to consider moving here,” he said. See photo on back cover. located adjacent to Wright Center and “Without saying ‘Yes’ to every sug- Buchanan Hall, will house a 300-seat gestion, he has been a major force on the recital hall, a rehearsal suite for Samford board and an ever-affirming friend. He orchestral and band programs, and an and Jane Brock are a grand couple, instrumental teaching center. The whose devotion to one another is as centerpiece of the $8 million building exemplary as it is rare. Everyone is 3 by William Nunnelley SPOTLIGHT Seeking ‘a Shared Vision’ for Samford Westmoreland becomes 18th President r. Andrew Westmoreland, a lifelong a series of receptions and meetings over the educator, spent the spring studying a summer. He also will begin meeting with new topic: Samford University. He Samford’s external community of alumni, wanted to know as much as possible business people, Alabama Baptists and others. about Samford and its people before Westmoreland had been president of Dsucceeding Dr. Thomas Corts as president June 1. Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., He made several trips to campus. He read since 1998 and a staff member since 1979 when everything he could on Samford. He talked to as the Samford board of trustees named him in many people as possible about his new institution. January to succeed Corts. He and his wife, Jeanna, “I did a lot of listening,” he said. “It helped and daughter, Riley, moved to Birmingham in late me get a handle on Samford, the institution.” May. What surprised His emphasis on meeting people typifies him the most in this Westmoreland’s approach. High visibility, process? especially on campus, is important to him. “It did not sur- “To some extent, it’s symbolic,” he said. “The prise me, but what president should be seen on campus. But I draw impressed me the tremendous energy from the process. I’ll be in the most was the open- cafeteria and the classroom ness of Samford,” buildings regularly.” he said. “The He learned one community at thing about this every turn process during his offered a warm eight years as reception. People Ouachita president. were quick to volun- “You have to teer to help in many schedule time ways.” to do The new president, Samford’s 18th, will continue the process with Westmoreland chats with Samford students.