Celebrating fall commencement with love and gratitude, Samford President Beck A. Taylor told new graduates, “Please know that Samford University is a better university because you were here.”
Samford University honored 296 graduates who earned either a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree during its December 2024 commencement ceremonies. Most of those were conferred inside the Pete Hanna Center on Dec. 14 during an event recognizing 284 graduates from eight of Samford’s 10 academic schools: Brock School of Business, Cumberland School of Law, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, Orlean Beeson School of Education, the School of the Arts, the School of Health Professions and the School of Public Health.
“It is your turn to now lead us,” added Samford Provost Dave Cimbora.
Samford awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws to speaker Bobbie Knight, the Birmingham native who became the first female president of Miles College in 2019 after nearly four decades in leadership at Alabama Power. She described the Class of 2024 as "bearers of light and change” and challenged them to amplify their God-given talents.
“How do I know that you will make history? The answer is simple," Knight told Samford’s graduating class. "Samford grads always make history and have done so for 183 years. From Jimmy Rane to Wayne Flint, from Don Cathy to Betsy Rogers, from Juanzaetta S. Flowers to John McWhorter, from Robert Aderholt to Houston Brown, from Nina Miglionico to Doug Jones, and from Martha C. Myers to Bobby Bowden.”
Bobbie Knight, (center) president of Miles College, receives an honorary doctorate from Samford University, accompanied by Provost Dave Cimbora and President Beck A. Taylor.
Knight recounted walking home from Banks High School in the early 1970s, past the historical marker in Eastlake for Howard College, the previous iteration of Samford’s campus.
“Even back then, as a freshman in high school, I recognized the reverence of that marker and I read it many times,” she said. “But I would never have imagined this full circle moment. So you see, today is as special for me as it is for you.
“The founders of Howard College had an expectation that you will go into the world with gratitude and humility—that you will always remember that history got you here and that history will also be the guiding light that marks your path forward.”
Knight encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty and innovation, noting the job they have in five years may not even exist today. “Samford has given you the tools to navigate this uncertainty. You’ve learned how to think critically, how to solve problems, and how to work with others to find solutions,” she said.
She encouraged them to lead with compassion and integrity and to remain true to your faith and values. “Never let the noise of the world drown out the still, small voice that has guided you here.”
Blake Hudson, dean of Cumberland School of Law, offered the benediction:
“Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these students today. You have blessed each person here with special gifts, the gift of learning, the gift of teaching, the gift of developing an expertise that brings you glory. Help us all as we leave this place today, to utilize the gifts you've given us, not only to enhance our professional careers and pursuits, but to bring peace, comfort and help to others who may be less fortunate than we are.”
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In a separate ceremony held Dec. 6 in Hodges Chapel, 11 students graduated from Beeson Divinity School with a Master of Divinity and one received Doctor of Ministry. The commencement address came from Chris Morgan, dean and professor of theology of the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University. Morgan also serves as pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, California.
