THE MAGAZINE OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY seasonsFALL 2017 National Champion See page 42 Contents 4 10 14 Alumni Honorees Restoring Daniel House Shikhin Archives to Library Samford University will recognize six outstanding Samford is embarking on a renovation and facility Samford’s archaeological project in the ancient Israeli graduates at homecoming in November—Joel Brooks improvement project to help restore its 140-year old village of Shikhin has produced numerous discoveries ’99 and Stephen Dillard ’92 (Alumni of the Year), London study center. Alumni and others are invited to over the past six years. This summer’s work uncovered Lauren Lunceford ’09 (Outstanding Young Alumna), take part by giving to this worthy goal. The Daniel part of an oil lamp maker’s house and workshop. Project and Jade ’93 and Shelah ’96 Acker and Amy Jo Young Foundation provided a challenge gift of $150,000 to leader James Strange recently donated all printed Osborn ’02 (Humanitarians of the Year). help initiate the effort. materials from the Shikhin dig to the Samford library. 2 From the President 21 Davis Lecture Set 31 Faculty Spotlight: 3 Samford Report 22 What’s in a Name? Amy Hoaglund 6 Digital Feedback 23 Robert Smith Jr. Honored 33 Baddorf in Antarctica 7 Homecoming Information 24 Collective Impact 34 Mary Wyatt and Construction 8 Albert Brewer Tribute 25 Slawson Wilson Fellow 36 Class Notes 12 60 Years in Homewood 26 Center of Excellence 38 New Arrivals 16 Science and Religion 27 Pharmacy Research 40 In Memoriam 17 QEP Update 28 Predicting Fall Risks 42 Sports 18 Cycling Across America 29 Public Health Interns 44 Tributes 19 King Letter Use 30 Alumnus Spotlight: 20 Dominican Sojourn Devyn Keith Seasons Fall 2017 • Vol. 34 • No. 3 Editor Alumni Association Officers Seasons is published three times annually by William Nunnelley Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, President Birmingham, Alabama 35229, and is Contributing Writers Todd Carlisle ’88, J.D. ’91 distributed free to alumni of the university, Sean Flynt, Lori Hill, Kara Kennedy, Polly Manuel, Vice President, Committees as well as to other friends. Postmaster: Send Kristen Padilla, Philip Poole, Sara Roman, Ashley Smith, Lori Littlejohn Sullivan ’79 address changes to Office of University Karen Templeton, Sarah Waller Advancement, Samford University, 800 Vice President, Development Graphic Designer Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229. Jay Boyd ’09 Laura Hannah ©2017 Samford University Immediate Past President Cover: Karisa Nelson of Samford University won Gil Simmons ’83 Produced by Samford Division of Marketing the Division I national championship in the women’s and Communication indoor mile. Here, she competes in the NCAA outdoor track and field championships (see page 42). 1 • Seasons • Fall 2017 Samford students and employees pitch in to help new students move in at the start of school. samford.edu • 1 From the President A Devoted and Committed University Family Samford University’s mission statement, displayed prominently in our publications and across campus, is succinct and challenging: “To nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith and personhood.” While not cited as often, our core values offer depth to our understanding and practice of mission: • Belief in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord • Engagement with the life and teachings of Jesus • Learning and responsible freedom of inquiry • Personal empowerment, accountability and responsibility • Vocational success and civic engagement • Spiritual growth and cultivation of physical well-being • Integrity, honesty and justice • Appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions • Stewardship of all resources • Service to God, to family, to one another and to the community Welcoming new students to our campus community as we embark on our 176th year of service, I am more mindful than ever of the significance of these values. They are appropriate for Samford as an institution; they are equally important for us as individuals, across the span of our lives. I am thankful to share this journey with such a devoted and committed university family. As always, please keep Samford in your prayers. Andrew Westmoreland President 2 • Seasons • Fall 2017 SAMFORD REPORT Samford Moves into Year 176 Samford opened its 176th year this fall The first wave of renovations for with a projected record enrollment and Howard College of Arts and Sciences, a new unmistakable signs of physical progress. home for world languages and cultures in The summer was anything but quiet as Russell Hall, was completed in August. Also workers labored to complete projects that in August, the philosophy, sociology and were part of phase one of the campus religion departments moved from Burns and master plan for improvement. More than Chapman halls into the space vacated by 30 projects were completed as the campus world languages and cultures in Dwight readied for the arrival of some 5,500 Beeson Hall so that Burns and Chapman hall students. Included were infrastructure renovations could begin. upgrades, residence hall improvements When complete in summer 2018, Burns, Chapman, Ingalls and Russell halls will be and new construction. the new home for the Howard College of The most noticeable project is the new Arts and Sciences departments of history, Tri Delta residence hall on west campus. The religion, classics, philosophy, English, facility houses 70 students, bringing to mathematics and computer science, world new windows were installed along with approximately 2,375 the number of campus languages and cultures, psychology, political weather stripping that is expected to bring residents. science, geography and sociology. $51 million in savings over the next 20 years. ◗ Also new is a paved and lighted Work will continue on various other To keep up with campus master plan pedestrian walkway between west campus projects through the school year. progress, go to samford.edu/about/ and west village. Among other projects, more than 1,200 campus-master-plan. Forbes Ranks Samford #1 in Alabama Samford University is the top-ranked higher education institution The Forbes Top Colleges ranking has always emphasized the in Alabama, according to new national rankings released Aug. 3 importance of postgraduation success. According to Forbes, “The by Forbes Inc. In the respected annual publication, Samford is most direct return on investment a student can earn from a college ranked ahead of all other public and private colleges and education is postgraduate success. A high-paying or high-impact universities in the state of Alabama. career largely justifies four years of academic work and tuition bills, so we continue to make this sector our highest priority.” Now in its 10th year, the Forbes Top Colleges ranking involves Samford places heavy emphasis on career counseling and “return-on-investment-centric logic: and a thorough assessment of preparing its students for success upon graduation. The university key educational outcomes, including superior return on investment, continually monitors and reports on the placement of its recent leadership and success, and the student-consumer experience,” graduates. In recent years, 97% of all undergraduate alumni have according to Forbes. Samford is ranked #182 of the 650 colleges and been employed, enrolled in graduate school or pursuing post- universities included in the annual ranking. graduate internships within six months of graduation. “These rankings further affirm Samford’s value, affordability Samford continues to be nationally ranked for academics, and academic stature,” said Samford President Andrew affordability and value by a variety of other major rankings, Westmoreland. “We acknowledge that these types of rankings can including U.S. News & World Report, The Economist, Kiplinger’s be subjective from year to year, but also are a great source of pride Personal Finance and The Wall Street Journal. ◗ for Samford students, employees and alumni who celebrate the strong national reputation of their university.” samford.edu • 3 ALUMNI Samford to Honor SIX ALUMNI by Philip Poole WITH ANNUAL AWARDS SIX Samford University alumni, representing a wide range of achievement in law, education, ministry, missions, philanthropy and community service, will be honored during 2017 homecoming festivities with the university’s annual alumni awards. Alumni of the Year honorees were their ongoing service to Samford. The The Humanitarian of the Year award nominated by members of the Samford awards were first presented in 1956, and was established in 2016 to recognize community, and selected by a committee of 120 alumni have been honored since. Samford graduates of distinction, wide Samford Alumni Association representa- The award to an outstanding young respect and acknowledged leadership who tives and university administrators. They are alumnus honors a graduate from the past 10 have made outstanding contributions to distinguished in their professional careers, years, and 10 individuals have been better the lives of those around them by community and church involvement, and in recognized. staying true to the Samford mission. Brooks Dillard Lunceford 4 • Seasons • Fall 2017 ALUMNI Amy Jo Young Osborn with daughters Zoe, left, and Anabelle Shelah and Jade Acker, center, with Vice President for Advancement Randy Pittman, left, and President Andrew Westmoreland Alumni of the Year Outstanding Young Alumna putting aside their own comforts for the betterment of their neighbors.” Joel