Samford Faculty Publish in Leading Sports Journal: The Future of College Football
This fall, faculty members in Samford University’s Brock School of Business—Mary Harrison, Nathan Kirkpatrick and Darin White—published a timely sports business case titled “Power Play: The Future of College Football in an Era of Centralization”
Turning Analytics into Impact at WHOOP
For Emily Ehrnschwender ’17, data analytics has been a passion since her days at Samford. Now she channels that passion as senior analytics manager at WHOOP.
Bringing Baseball to Life at Rickwood Field
Alunmus Gaines Johnson has set out to create a league unlike any other with the formation of the World Baseball League, playing its games at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
Meeting the Needs of Business Students Today
Cooney Hall, opened in 2015 as the home of Samford’s Brock School of Business, was built to prepare future business leaders through innovation and collaboration. The building features advanced learning spaces, specialized labs and expanded entrepreneurship programming through Samford Startup. Over the past decade, Cooney Hall has become a hub for experiential learning and continues to support the growing needs of business students.
Samford Alumnus Bill Stevens Named to Alabama Business Hall of Fame
Bill Stevens ’70, Birmingham businessman and former chairman of the Samford University Board of Trustees, was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.
Samford Sports Industry Professor’s World Cup Study on American Soccer Fandom Featured in LA Times
Darin W. White, founder of Samford’s Sports Industry Program, is seeking insights on the path professional soccer must take to rival the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball in the United States.
Samford’s Student-Managed Bulldog Investment Fund Surpasses $5 Million, Ranks Among Nation’s Top Programs
The Bulldog Investment Fund in Samford University’s Brock School of Business surpassed $5 million in October 2025, marking an impressive milestone that highlights student excellence and the value of experiential learning.
Samford Students Present Interdisciplinary Research at Southern Conference Undergraduate Forum
Samford University students from Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Brock School of Business and the School of Health Professions represented the university with excellence at the 2025 Southern Conference (SoCon) Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), held Oct. 25–26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Samford Unveils New Innovation Space for Student Business Owners
Samford University’s Brock School of Business officially unveiled a new student lab on Oct. 28. Located on the first floor of Cooney Hall, the Titus/UFG Innovation Lab serves as the new home of the Samford Startup program, offering a modern, collaborative space where student entrepreneurs can turn ideas into reality.
Brock School of Business Announces 2025-26 Samford Startup Cohort
Samford Startup, the student-led business incubator housed in Samford University’s Brock School of Business, has announced its 2025-26 cohort. Through this experiential program, students explore what it takes to launch, grow and scale a business while building the confidence and creativity essential for entrepreneurial success.
Samford Startup: Tanner Wages Photography
Tanner Wages, a junior journalism and mass communication major at Samford University, is the owner of Tanner Wages Photography. Her business is dedicated to capturing meaningful moments and telling stories through authentic, timeless imagery.
Samford Startup: The Etc. Shop
Emma Claire Thompson, a sophomore finance and marketing double major, is the owner of The Etc. Shop. What started as a creative hobby has grown into a thriving small business fueled by her resourcefulness, entrepreneurial spirit and love for crafting meaningful, personalized products. The Etc. Shop offers custom apparel, stickers, cups and more.
Samford Startup: Braedy Sommerville Fitness Coaching
Braedy Sommerville, a sophomore management major, is the owner of Braedy Sommerville Fitness Coaching. Driven by a passion for health and faith, Sommerville is creating a platform that blends physical fitness with personal encouragement, helping others grow stronger both inside and out.
Samford Startup: Hydraglow Co.
Ava O’Dowd, a junior accounting major, is the owner of Hydraglow Co., a skincare business that focuses on creating high-quality tools designed to enhance confidence and promote genuine skin health. She hopes to bring authenticity and education to the skincare industry through products that empower women to embrace their natural beauty.
Samford Startup: Light The Path Candle Co.
Ty Nelson, a junior finance and entrepreneurship double major, is the owner of Light the Path Candle Co. Balancing his studies and entrepreneurial spirit, Nelson is turning his passion for faith and creativity into something meaningful. His company offers handcrafted, competitively priced candles that not only create a warm atmosphere but also serve a greater purpose.
Samford Startup: Labeled by Love
Shelby Law, a sophomore entrepreneurship major, is the owner of Labeled by Love. She launched her women’s clothing brand to combine her love for fashion with her passion for encouraging others to embrace their God-given identity. Labeled by Love offers trendy clothing items that reflect confidence, faith and individuality.
Samford Startup: Styled with Leah
Leah Henderlong, a junior marketing major at Samford University, is the owner of Styled with Leah. What started as a fun project for a friend quickly turned into a growing jewelry business fueled by her love for design and entrepreneurship.
Samford Startup: Stitched by Madison
Madison Hamilton, a junior marketing and entrepreneurship double major, is the owner of Stitched by Madison. What started as a small high school side hustle has grown into a thriving sorority apparel brand that reflects Madison’s creativity, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to community, offering customizable sweatshirts, hats, pins and more.
